Pastor Rui Santos, of Emanuel Baptist Church in Ipiranga (São Paulo), decided to transform the traditional Sunday School class into a unique experience: he led a large group of church members on a visit to the Holocaust Memorial, immersing them in the history of the Jewish people.

Accompanied by me, Silas Anastácio, the group was warmly welcomed by the dedicated Memorial team — Janaina Mendes, Jonas Magalhães, Ianca Loureiro, Nanci Nascimento, and Ilana Iglicky. With sensitivity and deep knowledge, they guided more than fifty participants through an immersive journey into Jewish culture and the darkest chapters of human history — from pogroms to Kristallnacht, culminating in the horrors of World War II.

Amid dimmed lights, paintings, and videos recreating the atmosphere of Nazism, visitors were transported back to that era of persecution and suffering. The impact was evident: young and old alike, as they walked through the third-floor rooms, revealed tears and emotion on their faces.

The church led by Pastor Rui Santos has stood out for its support of the Jewish community, not only by promoting meetings and visits but also by contributing financially to projects connected to Israel. This closeness strengthens spiritual ties between Christians and Jews, reminding us that the Torah is sacred not only to Judaism but also to millions of Christians who preserve this heritage every Sunday in churches around the world.

Brazil is home to one of the largest Christian communities on the planet. Among evangelicals alone, there are about 47 million people, according to IBGE. This group has shown growing support for Israel: a 2025 survey conducted by StandWithUs, under the leadership of André Lajst and Sabrina Abreu, revealed that 58.5% of Brazilian evangelicals position themselves predominantly in favor of the Israeli nation.

More than just a visit, the experience at the Holocaust Memorial was an invitation to reflection: faith, memory, and solidarity intertwined, leaving a profound mark on every participant.

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)