Canadian Pastor Advocates for Israel Amid Rising Anti-Semitism

David Lermore, a 56-year-old pastor and psychologist based in Toronto, has emerged as a prominent voice in Canada’s Christian community advocating for Israel. Married with two daughters, Lermore has served his congregation in Ochowe for 19 years. Since October 2023, he has become a significant figure in the fight against anti-Semitism, emphasizing the importance of understanding the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Unlike many who voice opposition to anti-Semitism through rhetoric, Lermore has taken a proactive approach. He has dedicated time to learning about Israel’s reality, visiting the country as part of a delegation from the Canadian Jewish Federations (UIA). During his visit, he engaged with local residents and professionals, returning with a wealth of reliable information to counteract the disinformation prevalent in North America.

Each week, Lermore delivers lectures to approximately 600 members of his church. In these sessions, he shares insights from his experiences in Israel, explains the nuances of the region’s situation, and leads an unequivocal discourse against anti-Semitism and the denial of atrocities. His teachings are rooted in a deep respect for Judaism, which he attributes to his upbringing in a family that held great reverence for the Jewish people.

The Hebrew Scriptures, according to Lermore, form the foundation of the Christian faith. He highlights the historical connection between Christianity and Judaism, noting that Jesus and the apostles were themselves Jews. This connection, he believes, creates a moral obligation to stand in solidarity with the Jewish community.

Lermore acknowledges the Church’s complicated role during World War II and the Holocaust, emphasizing the need to confront this history. He states that this awareness has personally motivated him to advocate for “Never Again,” a commitment to prevent such atrocities from occurring in the future.

Lermore’s journey includes multiple visits to Israel, with plans to bring a group of 40 people to the country in February 2024. However, the events of October 7, 2023, altered these plans. Despite this, he managed to visit Israel again in late 2023 as part of the UIA delegation, where he studied the aftermath of the massacre and the state of surrounding communities.

In his teachings, Lermore underscores the importance of standing by Israel and the Jewish community. He asserts that the world’s current situation has created a clear distinction between good and evil, and his church has chosen to align itself with the good. This stance reflects a commitment to justice, mercy, and accountability, aligning with the biblical call to “do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).

Source: Read the original report (translated from Hebrew)