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Note: This article was originally published on “A Journey through NYC Religions”on June 17, 2024 and has been replicated with permission.  “The Golden Age of American Jews is Ending,” proclaimed The Atlantic magazine in its April lead article. Its modern retro cover with English and Yiddish characters shaded…

Throughout history, antisemitism—“the world’s oldest hatred”—has been a relentless force, shifting in form but never in focus, always targeting the Jewish people. Tragically, this hatred has at times emerged from the most unlikely of sources: professing Christians. Yet, to truly follow Jesus is to reject prejudice against God’s covenant people. …

The world is witnessing a resurgence of antisemitism on a scale not seen since the horrors of the twentieth century. Triggered by the events of October 7 in Israel, antisemitic sentiment has erupted globally, manifesting in rallies, threats, assaults, and hate speech, particularly across social media platforms. While this may…

Jesus was born within the Jewish world, lived as Jewish person, and spoke His message to the Jewish community of first-century Israel. Yet, for a good part of two millennia the followers of Jesus in the historical Catholic Church as well as within Protestantism, with some exceptions, have not only…

During Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish community traditionally reads the Akedah, the story of the binding of Isaac in Genesis 22. The sounding of the shofar (ram’s horn) reminds us of the ram sacrificed in Isaac’s place. The Akedah shows how faith requires risk. When God calls to Abraham, he immediately responds, “Here I am.”…

As we celebrate Purim, we remember God’s deliverance through yet another attempt to destroy the Jewish people. We recall the heroism and bravery of young Esther and the faithfulness of her uncle Mordecai, who incurred the wrath of Haman after refusing to bow down to him. But I wonder how…

Hanukkah memorializes the defeat of Assyrian Greeks by the priestly Maccabean family in 162 BC. It is not recorded in the canon of the Old Testament (which was already completed by this time). Hanukkah is celebrated beginning on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, which usually falls…

Introduction The Festivals of Israel Commonly known to Christians as Pentecost, Shavuot is one of four spring festivals and one of three “Aliyah” festivals found in the Hebrew Scriptures, when Jewish men were commanded to go up to Jerusalem and worship at the Temple. The festivals of Israel were designed…

During the eight days of Hanukkah a nine-branched candelabra, called a hanukkiah, is lit from right to left (when facing the candelabra). The candles are lit using the middle candle—known by its special designation as the “servant” candle. This servant candle holds spiritual and theological significance for followers of Jesus the Messiah.  Just as the lights…

Many people see Hanukkah and Christmas as two opposing holidays. Centuries of antisemitism in the church have created massive rifts between Jewish and Christian communities. The prominence of Christmas in American culture especially has caused some Jewish people to see celebrating Christmas as a threat to Jewish identity. Santa, reindeer,…

During the Feast of Dedication, or Hanukkah as it is commonly known, Jewish people around the world celebrate God’s provision and protection. Hanukkah is celebrated beginning on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, which usually falls in December. During the eight days of Hanukkah everybody (including children)…

Imagine that you are walking into a religious service at a synagogue or a Messianic congregation. Maybe you are expecting to see people reading from prayer books in Hebrew. But on this particular day you walk into what looks like a dance party. A conga line of men weaves around…