Guidelines

These are the best practices we recommend:

• Pray together before you go out and after you return.

• Dress modestly and act appropriately. Some Jewish people are very religiously and traditionally observant. Don’t try to hug, shake hands, or touch members of the opposite sex.

• Keep the message clear. Don’t bring other religious literature, flags, or signage that muddles the simple act of solidarity. Avoid getting into arguments about theology, politics, or personal opinions.

• Keep your solidarity as the witness. Your support of Jewish people as a Christian is a very powerful testimony of God’s love. Using your solidarity outreach as a platform for proselytizing will undermine your efforts of support—it will be perceived as a guise for a Christian agenda. The best way to disarm any suspicion is to acknowledge that you desire all people to know Jesus, but to also express, “Today, we’re just here to stand in support of the Jewish community and against antisemitism.”

• While you can take photos of your own volunteers, don’t take any photos of the Jewish community or the faces of the people you talk to.

• Deeper conversations are possible and welcome if the Jewish person wants to know more about the hope that believers in Jesus find in knowing Him. 

• Don’t draw parallels between Jewish suffering and Christian suffering by saying things like, “Christians are persecuted too,” “Our faith is also under attack,” or “If they come for the Jews they will come for the Christians next.”

• Don’t receive donations. When offered, respond with “Your generosity means the world to us, but this is a grassroots volunteer movement that does not receive donations,” and perhaps even send them to the website to join the movement themselves!

• As Christians Against Antisemitism is a unique grassroots movement and does not represent any specific ministry, avoid drawing a direct link to any specific church or Messianic Jewish organization (even if you support these organizations). 

Consider answering a question with a question, as Jesus often did, to learn more about the questioner’s beliefs or the motives behind their question.

• “Christians are followers of the teachings of Jesus, who demonstrated perfect love for all people.”

• “We are doing this because we want Jewish people to know that Christians are standing with them against the rise of antisemitism.” 

• “As Christians, we are deeply disturbed by the global rise of antisemitism.” 

• “Jesus himself was Jewish, and as His followers we consider love of His people to be a non-negotiable aspect of our faith.” 

• “We are here just to support Jewish people today.”

• “Our only agenda is to show support for Jewish people.”

You never know what can happen when you go out and take a public stand for a cause. Sometimes you might see minimal interaction, but more likely you will experience people smiling, saying “thank you” as they walk by, cars honking in approval, or people wanting to take pictures. 

The right to peaceful assembly in public spaces is protected by law. At the same time, local ordinances may require permits in some locations or may impose various guidelines. The Christians Against Antisemitism movement is committed to cooperating fully with local authorities.

Sometimes, organic conversations are started by passersby, and some may even try to give gifts or donations (which should be politely refused). People also may post about these efforts on social media, or Jewish community leaders may approach to express thanks and goodwill. 

• Jewish people smiling, saying “thank you” as they walk by

• Cars honking in approval

• Jewish people wanting to take pictures of you/with you

• Organic conversations started by passersby, not initiated by Christians 

• Jewish people asking why you are doing this

• Posts about these efforts on social media

• Jewish community leaders approaching you to express thanks and goodwill