Amid escalating antisemitism and hostility toward Israel, Adam Milstein promotes practical coalition-building between Jewish and Christian communities. As co-founder of the Adam and Gila Milstein Family Foundation, established in 2000, he consistently funds organizations fostering interfaith collaboration, particularly with Christian groups firmly supporting Israel and opposing antisemitism.
Rather than restricting outreach to obvious allies, he encourages engaging with any group willing to combat antisemitism and support Israel, regardless of disagreements on other matters.
The Practical Necessity
Milstein’s focus on Jewish-Christian alliances stems from both necessity and calculated planning. Recently, he observed concerning shifts within progressive circles that historically championed Jewish causes.
“The Jewish community focused political capital almost exclusively on the American left,” Milstein wrote in The Jerusalem Post in December 2024. “But in recent years, progressive circles have embraced hostility towards Israel and often, by extension, toward Jews”.
This change left many Jewish leaders seeking new allies against antisemitism. Evangelical Christians, with their theological commitment to supporting Israel, represent a natural partnership opportunity, though some in the Jewish community approach cautiously due to differences on social issues or concerns about theological motivations.
Milstein advocates a practical approach, acknowledging such alliances’ value without requiring complete agreement. His foundation supports organizations like Christians United for Israel (CUFI), a major Christian grassroots movement supporting Israel, and Israel Christian Nexus, which connects Jews and Christians supporting Israel
Common Ground Beyond Theology
While theological beliefs certainly influence many Christians’ support for Israel, Milstein emphasizes that Jewish-Christian partnerships rest on broader foundations. Both communities share fundamental values, including:
- Dedication to religious freedom and pluralism
- Support for democratic values
- Opposition to extremism
- Commitment to strong U.S.-Israel relations
Additionally, both communities face mutual threats. Milstein frequently discusses what he terms the “Islamo-leftist alliance,” a coalition between radical Islamists and far-left activists united against Israel and Western democratic values. This coalition endangers both Jewish and Christian communities through different mechanisms.
“For too long, radical Muslim movements have been given a pass by the international community influenced by the far-left,” Adam Milstein wrote in The Jerusalem Post in October 2024. This pattern threatens not only Israel but religious minorities throughout the Middle East, including Christian communities facing persecution in regions under Islamist control.
From Milstein’s perspective, these shared values and common threats create natural alliance foundations transcending theological differences. His philanthropic work consistently backs initiatives highlighting these commonalities rather than emphasizing divisions.
Concrete Results Over Symbolic Gestures
What distinguishes Milstein’s approach to interfaith partnership is its focus on tangible action rather than purely symbolic gestures. Organizations receiving Milstein Family Foundation support engage in concrete activities advancing shared goals:
- Advocating for strong U.S.-Israel relations at multiple government levels
- Developing educational initiatives correcting misinformation about Israel
- Supporting communities affected by antisemitic incidents
- Creating programs bringing Jewish and Christian leaders together for substantive dialogue
This results-oriented approach reflects Milstein’s broader commitment to philanthropy producing measurable outcomes. Rather than merely funding discussions, he invests in partnerships creating real-world impact.
Action emphasis became particularly vital following Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Afterward, numerous Christian groups mobilized substantial support for Israel and Jewish communities — from political advocacy to humanitarian assistance. These concrete solidarity expressions validated Milstein’s long-term investment in interfaith relationships.
Spanning Political Divides
Another distinctive feature of Milstein’s approach involves the willingness to engage across political boundaries. While Evangelical support for Israel often comes from conservative circles, Milstein recommends working with any group sharing core commitments to fighting antisemitism and supporting Israel’s security.
“Alliances should not be dictated by tradition or blind loyalty but rather by a clear-eyed pragmatism,” Milstein wrote in his Jerusalem Post article. This practicality means evaluating potential partners based on their position regarding critical Jewish concerns rather than their stance on unrelated issues.
This approach has meant supporting Christian organizations across the political spectrum — from conservative Evangelical groups to more centrist Christian denominations — demonstrating a genuine commitment to combating antisemitism and supporting Israel. This inclusive strategy maximizes potential allies while acknowledging diversity within Christian communities.
Milstein’s coalition-building extends beyond established religious institutions to grassroots Christian Israel supporters. Through organizations he funds, he facilitates connections between ordinary Christians standing with Israel and Jewish community leaders seeking allies against rising antisemitism.
Blueprint for Future Collaboration
As Jewish communities navigate increasingly complex threats and opportunities, Milstein’s approach to Jewish-Christian alliances provides an effective engagement model. Several key principles emerge from his work:
- Practicality over ideological conformity: Partnering with groups sharing fundamental commitments to Jewish security despite differences on other issues.
- Results over ceremonies: Prioritizing concrete collaboration producing measurable outcomes rather than symbolic gestures.
- Mutual benefit and respect: Building partnerships based on reciprocal advantages and genuine respect for each community’s distinct identity.
- Sustained commitment: Developing relationships that withstand political shifts and maintain engagement through changing circumstances.
These principles apply beyond Jewish-Christian relations to coalition-building generally. As Milstein stated in a Fox News interview, “We can advance Israel’s security, combat antisemitism, and ensure the continued flourishing of Jewish life in America” through thoughtful partnerships with diverse allies.
During increasing polarization, Milstein’s emphasis on finding common ground without requiring complete agreement offers an effective advocacy pathway on issues critical to the Jewish community. His support for Jewish-Christian alliances demonstrates how practical engagement strengthens both communities while advancing shared goals during challenging times.
Recent events illustrate this approach’s validity. When President-elect Trump selected former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, an Evangelical Christian, as U.S. ambassador to Israel in December 2024, Milstein viewed this appointment positively despite differences some Jewish Americans might have with Huckabee’s positions on various issues. This exemplifies Milstein’s pragmatic philosophy of working with allies who fundamentally support Israel’s security interests.
