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Jewish Groups Raise More than $17,000 To Repair Torched 'Miracle' Church In Israel

A Jewish fundraising campaign to rebuild a historic Christian church in Israel that was damaged by arsonists has been very successful. The "Restoring Friendship" drive to raise funds to repair the Church of the Multiplication in Tabgha, where Christians believe Jesus fed 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish, eclipsed its goal of about $13,000, as support has poured in from Jewish people in far-flung places.

"Burning any house of worship is a crime against human spirit," one donor wrote. "I expect all people, regardless of their faith (or non-faith) to condemn it and to fight the fundamentalist waves that enable & encourage such despicable actions." 

"We affirm a vision of Judaism that sees all people as created in the divine image -- and seeks not to diminish or demean anyone, but to honor and enhance our shared humanity," another donor commented.


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