The congregation at Temple Beth El in Jefferson City nearly doubled in size for Shabbat service on Friday, Oct. 13. The increase was the result of two dozen visitors—Christian clergy from churches in and around Cole County. They attended to show solidarity with the small Jewish synagogue after the Hamas attack on Israel.
“Sheriff Greg thought it was important for the ministers to support us,” said Gail Severance, president of Temple Beth El.
Severance was referring to Sheriff Greg White, who retired as the Cole County sheriff in 2015 but is often addressed by his former law enforcement title. Cole is now a pastor at Southridge Baptist Church in Jefferson City. Cole, who happens to have a bit of Russian Jewish DNA, organized the gathering of ministers at the congregation.
“We have a Christian minister’s ministerial luncheon once a month, and sometimes it’s poorly attended and sometimes a little stronger,” Cole said. “But I had an idea and sent out a notice to all the pastors that are on that mailing list about meeting for Shabbat. I didn’t know if we’d get two people but there were about 25 of us. There were Disciples of Christ, two different kinds of Baptists, a Roman Catholic priest and a Methodist. So we had a pretty good strata.”
Temple Beth El was built in 1883 and is the oldest synagogue building west of the Mississippi that’s still in use—and the 14th oldest in the country. This Shabbat service was not Cole’s first visit to the synagogue. He said he and the other ministers have a deep kinship with the Jewish members of the Jefferson City community.
“The New Testament teaches us to reflect on the Old Testament,” he said. “We have an obligation to do what’s necessary for the preservation of Israel and certainly pray for peace in Jerusalem.
“I’ve always felt very welcome at Temple Beth El. I did ask several people and specifically, I asked Gail, “Do you feel loved?’ And with a beaming smile, she said the answer was yes. Our desire is for the Jewish community to know that we do have your back. We stand for you, but also we want to let you know that you’re loved.”
