The survival of Israel is critically important to the United States. That was a key message from a conversation between Missouri Governor Mike Parson and Mark Wilf, owner and president of the Minnesota Vikings.
During an event sponsored by the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, Parson and Wilf spoke before a packed audience of more than 300 people on Tuesday, Feb. 6 at the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum. Moderating their discussion was Rabbi Brad Hirschfield, president of the National Jewish Center for Learning & Leadership.
The event was the brainchild of Geoff and Stephanie Gross.
Wilf, who is chair of the Jewish Agency for Israel, is a child of Holocaust survivors. He said Israel has always served as a guiding light.
“It is the guiding principle in my life, the foundation of my family’s life,” Wilf said. “And I think for all of us as the Jewish community in St. Louis and Missouri and the world, when we have a strong state of Israel, we have a strong United States of America.”
Parson said his two trips to Israel were, “The biggest eye-opening experiences I ever had. I went there to learn about the culture. As governor, I wanted to see how we can partner with Israel. Anytime that we’re building relationships from the state level to Israel is a good day for us.”
Hirschfield said antisemitism is not just a problem for Jews but for all people. He said public events with leaders are helpful, “Because we need real role models of problem solving, and because problems in the public culture demand public cultural responses.”
