Yaakov Ariel Presents at David Bear Memorial Lecture
The 5th Annual David Bear Memorial Interfaith Lecture Series featured Yaakov Ariel, author or “An Unusual Relationship: Evangelical Christians and Jews” and Professor of Religious Studies at University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. It was held on Tuesday, October 13, 2015, at Tifereth Israel Synagogue in Des Moines.
Dr. Yaakov Ariel provided a comprehensive picture of the unusual relationship that has developed between evangelical Christians and Jews. He explored the theological roots of the evangelical attitudes, pointed to the historical development of the interaction between the two communities of faith, and examined the actual manifestation of the enchantment.
His presentation also looked at the contemporary Israeli-evangelical friendly relationship and the political support evangelicals have offered Israel, as well as the Jewish, Christian and Muslim reactions to this relationship.
This lecture wass made possible by a legacy left by David Bear, a prominent Des Moines engineer and businessman for more than 50 years. A member and leader at Tifereth Israel Synagogue, he was a pioneer in breaking down barriers among people of all faiths. In addition to his many other professional and community affiliations, he served as president of the Des Moines Area Religious Council in 1992, and was president of the DMARC Foundation in 1989 and 1990. He continued to serve as a board member of the Foundation until his death in the spring of 2010. In his honor, the Bear family has established the David Bear Memorial Interfaith Lecture Series.