Still in shock over the election outcome, liberals are muttering about an alleged conspiracy by right  wing Christian fundamentalists to take control of this country. Liberal Jews and many of their organizations are muttering particularly loudly because of their deep fears that the freedoms they enjoy under the Constitutional separation of religion and state will now disappear.  
  
Historically liberal Jews have been wary of religious Christians whom they perceive as targeting them for conversion; they have felt more comfortable with  liberal Christian denominations with whom they shared——or thought they did——common interests and opinions on a wide variety of political, social and cultural issues.
 
But now liberal Jews are confused. For most Jews, the safety and security of Israel is an extremely important issue.  With minimal input from Jews, right wing Christians have become some of Israel's staunchest supporters while the liberal Christians, who Jews have eagerly sought out, have become quite hostile to Israel while supportive of Arabs.  Although some Jews are still begging their old Christian allies to renew their ties and to understand Israel's predicament, other Jews have begun to appreciate the support of religious Christians at this critical time in Israel's history.
 
A shift in Jewish social and cultural alliances is slowly happening; for many people in all communities, it is about time.
 
Ethel C. Fenig  11 12 04