Thou wilt arise, and have compassion upon Zion; for it is time to be gracious unto her, for the appointed time is come. (Psalms 102:14)
Christian Zionist Heroes was recently released as an ebook by Israel365. Jerry Klinger, president of the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation and a son of Holocaust survivors, has authored a deeply-affecting study of eight Christians who powerfully contributed to Israel’s rebirth as a nation. The ebook is only a first step; the larger intent is to make this an organic project that will grow over time as Klinger adds more stories.
“I am learning much about the journey of Christians and Jews,” Klinger confided recently. “We are on a road toward a common goal. Exactly what that goal is is different for each of us, but I know one thing: God put us on this road together. Neither of us can walk the road alone or reach the goal alone. We must do it together.”
The ebook’s first profile focuses on Rev. William Henry Hechler , who was pivotal to visionary Theordor Herzl’s diplomatic successes. After reading Herzl’s The Jewish State, Hechler moved swiftly to aid the emerging Zionist movement by providing Herzl with key introductions to German royal society. Klinger considers Hechler to be “the single individual [who] was most critical in giving Theodor Herzl and Zionism legitimacy.”
“Hechler’s reaction to Der Judenstaat [Herzl’s booklet, The Jewish State] changed the course of history, of Zionism, and Herzl’s place in the story of the creation of modern Israel . . .,” Klinger writes. He indicates that even the publication of Herzl’s pivotal booklet was accomplished only after he had had difficulty finding a publisher. It was a Christian who ultimately agreed to print the booklet in Austria and Germany.
Rev. Hechler apparently had a deep sense that he and others had been given the opportunity to participate in the fulfillment of prophecy. He introduced Herzl to the Duke of Baden-Baden, who facilitated the introduction of Herzl to his nephew, Kaiser Wilhelm II. Ultimately, because of Hechler’s connections, the Kaiser “recognized” Herzl in present-day Israel — in the area that is now Tel Aviv. This recognition legitimized him as the leader of world Zionism in the eyes of Jewish people.
Klinger writes that Hechler remained a confidant, friend, supporter, and aide to Herzl until his death in 1904. He was at Herzl’s bedside at his death. “When Herzl was dying, he asked that we not forget Hechler for all that he did for him and Zionism,” Klinger told The Jerusalem Post. [But] “We did.”
In spite of Hechler’s key role in bringing Herzl to the world’s attention as the legitimate leader of Zionism, Hechler died an obscure death, impoverished and alone, according to Klinger. Hechler had been buried in an unmarked grave in the New Southgate Cemetery in London. Klinger discovered Hechler’s forgotten gravesite with the help of Rev. David Pileggi of Christ Church Jerusalem.
In 2011 Klinger organized an event that would respectfully honor Hechler’s role in Israel’s rebirth. The ceremony was attended by the vice chairman of the World Zionist Organization, representatives of the Israeli ambassador, the British Zionist Federation, 33 Christian Zionist organizations, and Christians and Jews from the EU, the US, and Israel. A tombstone with an appropriate epitaph was erected for Hechler on the 80th anniversary of his death.
Seven other Christians who powerfully “midwifed” the rebirth of the Jewish State are profiled along with Hechler in Christian Zionist Heroes. Klinger has placed the profile of US President Harry S. Truman last. Klinger ends each profile with the same deeply-affecting observation. It begins with each person’s name. For example, “Rev. William Hechler did what no Jew could do.”
