New Book on Messianic Jews

July 17, 1999

Source: The Boston Globe

On July 17, 1999, The Boston Globe published an article that looks at a new book by Rabbi Carol Harris-Shapiro, a professor of religion at Temple University, entitled, Messianic Judaism: A Rabbi's Journey through Religious Change in America. Harris-Shapiro addresses the Jews for Jesus movement, which is controversial for many American Jews. "I think they were upset that someone was taking a serious look at the Jews for Jesus and not saying that they are a terrible, brainwashing cult. They are people whose claims we may disagree with, but at least let's try to understand where they're coming from," Harris-Shapiro stated when addressing the criticism she received in the Jewish press for giving credibility to the Jews for Jesus movement. Messianic Jews say they have 100,000 followers in the United States, but Harris-Shapiro says the figure is closer to 10,000.