Two influential leaders in the traditional-values policy arena have launched a new effort to promote a Jewish-Christian partnership in support of Israel.

Rabbi Daniel Lapin, head of Toward Tradition, and Gary Bauer, former GOP presidential candidate, will co-chair the American Alliance of Jews and Christians, or AAJC. A statement released yesterday calls the effort "a unique synthesis of Jewish authenticity and Christian grass-roots muscle."

"Let us remember that friendship is a two-way street," Lapin said in the statement. "American Christians consistently stand by Israel, and while they ask nothing in return, they deserve friendship and support from American Jews. Christians seek an America that is strong both morally and materially, as do Jews, and such an America is the best friend Israel can have."

The new cooperative, headquartered in Washington, D.C., will have an immediate constituency via Bauer's approximately 100,000-strong e-mail list. According to the statement, the advisory board of the organization will include Dr. James Dobson, Charles Colson, the Rev. Jerry Falwell, the Rev. Pat Robertson, Pastor Rick Scarborough, as well as Rabbi Barry Freundel, Rabbi David Novak, Rabbi Meir Soloveichik, Michael Medved, John Uhlmann and Jack Abramoff.

Said Bauer, "I believe this new project will help ensure the alliance of America and Israel while also building a movement of Jews and Christians for traditional values. These values come from the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Who gave Israel to the Jewish people and Who inspired the founding of America."

Bauer led the Family Research Council for several years before running for president in 2000. He also is a former domestic policy adviser to President Ronald Reagan.

As reported by WorldNetDaily, Toward Tradition last month published a pamphlet entitled "Enemies or Allies? Why American Jews Should Learn to Stop Worrying and Love Conservative Christians," a document that embodies the guiding principles of the new organization. Toward Tradition describes itself as a "national coalition of Jews and Christians advocating practical Torah solutions to modern American problems."

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