From the Editor – Issue 45
I’m writing these words shortly after the November 7 Amsterdam Pogrom, a widespread, open attack against Jews in the storied Dutch city. The alleged trigger was a match between Israeli and Dutch soccer teams but in a wider context this attack was only one event in months of mounting antisemitic outrages worldwide since October 7,…
Read MoreJewish Continuity Within Messianic Judaism
For this issue, Kesher editor Russ Resnik brings together four younger Messianic Jewish leaders to discuss multi-generational continuity in our community — how it is going currently and the prospects looking forward. Kesher: I’m excited to be joining four friends and colleagues, who are leaders in the Messianic Jewish community in different capacities, four influencers…
Read MoreKesher and Continuity: A Memoir
A few years ago, I represented the Messianic Jewish community as a guest speaker at a Navajo Christian conference. Another guest was the president of the Navajo nation, who opened with this: Hello my friends! My name is Ben Shelly. I am of the Salt People, born for the Deer Springs Clan. My maternal grandfather’s…
Read MorePatrilineal Descent in Determination of Jewish Identity
Katherine Pia Glickler Introduction The matter of Jewish identity has been a central concern for the Jewish people ever since God made a covenant with the descendants of Abraham. Throughout the generations, the question of who is a Jew has always required a definitive answer. For nearly two millennia, rabbinic law has dictated that…
Read MoreIntersections of the Dorot and Chetzi Am Studies
In 2022, the UMJC published the findings of its Dorot study. The purpose of the study was to “investigate how Messianic Jewish congregations could become more relevant” in order to “bring about a more cohesive and mature Messianic Judaism.”1 The study explored perspectives on a wide range of topics across a broad swath of…
Read MoreThe Un’taneh Tokef, the Dies Irae, and Romanos’ Parousia: Evidence of Liturgical Conversation between the Church and the Synagogue
On Rosh Hashanah, it is inscribed, and on Yom Kippur, it is sealed — how many shall pass away and how many shall be born, who shall live and who shall die, who in good time, and who by an untimely death, who by water and who by fire, who by sword and who by…
Read MoreStones the Builders Rejected: The Jewish Jesus, His Jewish Disciples, and the Culmination of History, by Mark S. Kinzer
Review by Rich Robinson The newest offering from prolific Messianic Jewish theologian Mark Kinzer brings us a collection of his essays, most of which have been adapted from existing print or oral presentations, although some have not been previously published.1 All are introduced at the start by Jennifer Rosner, who also helpfully provides a summary…
Read MoreGenesis: A Parsha Companion, Exodus: A Parsha Companion, and Leviticus: A Parsha Companion, by David Fohrman; Asking Better Questions of the Bible, by Marty Solomon
Review by Jon C. Olson The books under review adopt a common approach to Torah study. Marty Solomon was a student of Rabbi Fohrman. Rabbi David Fohrman Rabbi Fohrman presents an approach to learning Torah based upon close reading of Scripture in concert with Midrash. I find him fresh and engaging. Genesis,1 Exodus,2 and…
Read MoreThe Fundamentals of a Recovering Fundamentalist: Reorienting Towards the True, Good, and Beautiful, by Gabriel Gordon
Reviewed by Stephen Burnhope Gabriel Gordon describes himself as “a Jewish Anglo-Orthodox Episcopal follower of Yeshua.”1 He is currently a graduate student at Marquette University. Through his Southern Baptist upbringing, he is also (as the title suggests) a former fundamentalist — or as he prefers to say, a recovering fundamentalist — concerning which he…
Read MoreA Jewish Paul: The Messiah’s Herald to the Gentiles, by Matthew Thiessen
Review by Rich Robinson At several levels, in his recent book A Jewish Paul (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2023), Matt Thiessen shows himself to be an innovative, creative, and stimulating conversation partner. Thiessen is Associate Professor of Religious Studies at McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The aim of his book is “to familiarize a…
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