Reviving Aramaic identity: How one Israeli leader is reconnecting Christians to their ancient roots

American Christian students had the opportunity of a lifetime to spend time with Shadi Khalloul, former Israeli Knesset candidate and founder of Israeli Christian Aramaic Association NGO. He is a passionate advocate for Christian Israeli-Aramaic rights.

According to Khalloul’s post on 𝕏, “100 American Christian students visited us today and learned about our Aramaic identity and language as native Christians in the Levant, including in Israel. They learned about our activities at ICAA – Israeli Christian Aramaic Association NGO to preserve it and integrate our people within Israel. Israel was the 1st state to recognize our Aramaic people nationality. Once you live in a state recognizing you, safe and secure, it is a duty to defend it and keep it as so for future generations.”

The Arameans, a Semitic ethnic group, take their name from the ancient land of Aram, which included parts of what is now modern-day Syria and the broader Mesopotamian region during the time of Jesus. Aramaic, their native language, was widely spoken throughout the area and was also the language spoken by Jesus himself. Today, Aramaic remains present in certain Jewish religious texts and prayers, with portions of the Kabbalah and the Talmud written in the language.

Khalloul was raised in the northern Israeli town of Jish, also known as Gush Halav. Following his service in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), he moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, to study business and finance. As part of his studies, he was required to take an English literature course, with the option of focusing on either Shakespeare or the Bible. Being more familiar with the Bible due to his Christian background, he chose that path.

In a previous interview with ALL ISRAEL NEWS, Khalloul recounted an experience from his literature class.

“We analyzed the scriptures from an English literature way,” he said. “They got to the part that says, ‘Talitha kumi,’ and the Catholic professor said, ‘This is not English, this is Aramaic.’ He said most Jews spoke Aramaic at that time and, unfortunately, the language died.”

Khalloul immediately responded to the professor's claim: “I raised my hand immediately. I said, ‘Excuse me, professor, that language didn’t die – we still speak it in the church, we pray in this, it is our sacred language in the church, in the Maronite church.’”

He went on to explain that he is a member of the Syriac Maronite Church of Antioch, where Aramaic remains an active part of worship and tradition.

Moved by the discussion, the professor asked Khalloul to give a presentation on the history and identity of Christians in the Middle East. At the conclusion of his talk, Khalloul recited the Lord’s Prayer in Aramaic, which deeply touched the audience – many were brought to tears.

“Always I was blaming the West for not helping the Christians in the Middle East,” Khalloul said. “But that is not the case. The case is, there is ignorance about who we are and what we stand for, and about the values we share with them and with Jewish people.”

In 2021, Khalloul welcomed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to his hometown, where he addressed what he described as the influence of Islamic pan-Arabist ideology within the education system – an effort, he said, “to brainwash the minds of our children and distance them from their Aramaic Christian and Jewish roots, and from being loyal proud citizens of the State of Israel.”

“Our young people need to be educated to feel valued and protected and respected, like all other Israeli citizens,” Khalloul emphasized.

His deep commitment to education and preserving his cultural heritage made the visit from a large group of American Christians especially meaningful – not just personally, but because it so clearly reflected the mission of ICAA.

The gathering was a powerful reminder that Aramean identity and language are not relics of the past, but a living tapestry. By preserving and passing down Aramaic, Aramean Christians strengthen their cultural roots while offering Christians worldwide a vital link to their spiritual heritage and a shared sacred identity.