Messianic Judaism: A Rabbi's Journey Through Religious Change in America [Paperback]

Carol Harris-Shapiro (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 4, 2000

There are some Jews who believe that the Messiah has already returned. Although these Jews are considered cult members or apostates by many, Carol Harris-Shapiro-herself a rabbi-engages one community of Messianic Jews to see what their presence says about American Jewish identity, religious affiliation, and the emergence of hybrid faiths in a secular society.

When first published, Messianic Judaism stirred controversy throughout the country. The first book to critically examine the role of Messianic Jews in American religious life, it traces the history of this faith that that accepts Jesus as the savior from its late nineteenth-century origin in evangelical Christian missions. Reconstructionist Rabbi Carol Harris-Shapiro bases this portrait on her conversations with members of a large Messianic Jewish community. Messianic Judaism adds significant new insights into the nature and varieties of religious experience in United States.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

In this ethnography, Harris-Shapiro (Temple Univ.) describes her research into Messianic JudaismAsomething she shows that both Protestantism and Judaism view as taboo. Messianic Judaism wants Jews to complete their faith by accepting Yeshua (Jesus) and for Christianity to return to its Jewish roots. The movement works for people who want to practice both Judaism and ChristianityAsay, intermarried couplesAbut leaves little room for Gentiles. Though the responses to Harris-Shapiro's questions sometimes lack substance, her cogent and lucid writing allows her to present an unbiased academic study of a community's theology. The main value of this book, though, is its explanation of why and how both Christianity and Judaism reject Messianic Judaism. Recommended for academic and larger public libraries where collections support programs in religion, Judaica, or Christian traditions.ANaomi Hafter, Broward Cty. Lib., Fort Lauderdale, FL
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

This book should be read by everyone who has ever asked the question 'Who is a Jew?' --Rebecca Alpert, author of Like Bread on a Seder Plate

"A provocative and thoroughly engaging exploration of Judaism's boundaries. . . . An important book for all those concerned about Judaism's future." --Naomi Mara Hyman, Moment

"Harris-Shapiro uses an effective blend of scholarship, interviews, and personal insights to explain a concept that is often at odds with traditional Judaism and occasionally with Evangelical Christianity, with which it shares both ideology and resources. This compelling and evenhanded volume should attract readers from both Jewish and Christian communities." --Ilene Cooper, Booklist

"A balanced historical account of the movement's history and development." --Publishers Weekly

"[Harris-Shapiro's] cogent and lucid writing allows her to present an unbiased . . . study of a community's theology." --Library Journal

"Ground-breaking [and] enlightening." --Arnold Ages, Jewish Tribune

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: Beacon Press (August 4, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807010413
• ISBN-13: 978-0807010419
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.7 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,415,875 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a fascinating ethnography, September 4, 2000

By 

benjamin (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Messianic Judaism: A Rabbi's Journey Through Religious Change in America (Paperback)

One of the first thing that Rabbi Harris-Shapiro (a Reconstructionist Rabbi) states in her book is that the book is more of an ethnography than a study of a particular religious group. Although as an ethnography it does dig into the movement - and rather deeply, too - it also takes a comparative standpoint and seeks to illuminate the reader about the similarities between Messianic and other popular forms of Judaism. The main question that she seeks to answer is, "What does Messianic Judaism say about mainstream Judaism?" On a deeper and more basic level is the question of Jewish identity, a la "What makes someone a Jew?" Harris-Shaprio does an excellent job detailing the history and main tenents of Messianic Judaism, as well as the experiences of several of its followers. The only complaint that i really have with this book is that the author doesn't seem to be able to decide whether or not her goal is to a) provide a sort of diary of her experiences while studying the group; or b) provide the reader with a factual, dissertation-like evaluation of the movement and its ramifications and implications for Judaism. The first half of the book seems to be more of the former, while the second half is more of the latter. It actually would have been nice if there had been some statistics in the book, such as the number of adherents, % male/female, and % jew/gentile. It also would have been interesting to know the # of converts to Messianic Judaism from one of mainstream Judaism's five branches (Hasidic, Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, or Reconstructionist). After reading the Preface, it seems that she is still following the "movement" (which actually appears to be rather diversified) and if this is true, I hope that Harris-Shapiro writes and releases more books on either the movement or facets of the movement in the future. This book is well thought out and will cause one to question both popular notions of identity (particularly the religious and cultural aspects of it), and the creation of religious movements, noting the no religious movement is really "pure" in its formation. Highly recommended, for both those interested the study of religion (especially from a comparative standpoint), as well as those interested in the psychological and sociological developments and aspects of a small group that is on the outside of the mainstream, yet desires to be accepted into and by it.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a book that urgently needs to be read, July 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Messianic Judaism: A Rabbi's Journey Through Religious Change in America (Hardcover)

I've read this book as well as the reviews and articles about it. Contrary to what the Forward wrote, this is an even-handed, balanced book that, besides being on a topic of crucial concern (how an apostate group works out their own identity questions within the larger context of religious identity), it is also -- a fact unrecognized by Harris-Shapiro's detractors -- a remarkable, original, stunning piece of research. This is not just about "jews for jesus" and what their existence says about Jewish identity; it's also about America, and how our culture accomodates and squelches the formation of faith-based communities. Anyone interested in the significant and quiet change in religious belief in America and elsewhere needs to read this book. I would give it ten stars if I could.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars outstanding investigation, November 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Messianic Judaism: A Rabbi's Journey Through Religious Change in America (Hardcover)

This is an excellent overview of Messianic Judaism written by an expert in the field who previously completed a PhD thesis on the movement. It is illuminating and raises important questions.