Israel Books

I have to admit, when a friend of the author, and a longtime friend of mine handed me a copy of the original self-published edition of this novel back in June 2002, I was not in a big hurry to read it. Giantkillers? What kind of title is that? Poor Mr. Ortiz, his fledgling effort at breaking into the world of publishing had just unbeknownst to him been handed over to a true critic who promptly shelved, well actually buried in a box, the subject of his labors. Several months later, I was running desperately late to catch a cross country flight to Washington D.C. and lamented the fact that I had nothing to read, nor the time to purchase reading material. It was then that the long since forgotten novel arose as a specter in my now guilty conscience, and I hastily retrieved it, viewing its reading as much as a mercy for myself as for the author. [I'm truly awful, aren't I?]

My delay at reading this book was my own punishment. Giantkillers was one of the most intriguing, page-turning type books I had read in a long time. It is intelligently written and has a unique roller coaster type plot that will keep the reader on the edge of their seat [Good thing I wasn't in a hang-glider...]. I don't normally read books in this genre, but Mr. Ortiz has succeeded in convincing me that he is capable of writing a tale that is worthy and should appeal to any reader who appreciates a good story. The only other author who has done that for me is Mr. Stephen King. Meanwhile, I will keep reading my science fiction & fantasy and nonfiction, but whenever Mr. King and Mr. Ortiz come up with a new tale, I will be sure to enter their well-crafted worlds for a little vacation outside the regular fare.

It's refreshing to read a martial art tale that goes beyond the typical revenge theme that dominates martial art stories. Don't karate guys know how to write? There seems to always be a death to avenge or someone to beat in a tournament. Giantkillers is perhaps the most original idea for a martial arts story found anywhere today. It's well written. . . funny, suspenseful, with lots of action and an unpredictable plot. Steven Seagal's and Jackie Chan's writers should take note. Well, the Giantkillers'lead character, Jonathan Tomei, is a kindly school teacher and highly trained martial artist who finds out that the sorry state of our country's public ed system is not due just to ineptitude and political stupidity, but rather due to a deliberate conspiracy created by politicians, businessmen, and leaders in education. Hey, how much of this is fiction? Tomei forms a small resistance group that uses martial art moves and strategies that go beyond kicking and punching. Here's where you see the author's teaching background. He's teaching the reader when he lays out these strategies in action sequences or in lessons to his 9 year old goddaughter, Yesenia, who is quite a delightful addition to the story's characters. There are also very wonderful supporting characters in Tomei's "Sohei", martial art experts with almost magical skills. (Are these guys for real?) There are also nasty villains giving new meaning to the word heartless. I mean, if you are out to keep kids from learning how to read, you have got to be pretty bad.I won't ruin the story by telling you too much, but it's a great read, and has a nice touch of romance for ladies in the reading audience and there are wonderful scenes with children placed at strategic points to keep the story from being too much a "guy" novel. Great job!

I have read this book and I must admit that I was plesantly surprised by the plot, the dynamic and entertaining details about issues which are current (school administration abuses in certain school districts across the countries), and the fact that the main character was a martial arts expert.

Dr. Ortiz' style is refreshing, he reminds me at times of a young Mr. King in terms of literary skills. I highly recommend the book, I hope it becomes a best seller and I am looking forward to the sequel.

A summary of this work can not give justice to the unusual, surprising and intriguing plot.
I am not a fan of martial arts literature but I found Giantkillers to be a totally original and creative tale, with many unexpected experiences for the unlikely hero.
I was enthralled by Jonathan's determination to seek out the workers of iniquity and eagerly await the next chapters of the adventures in the life of this valiant individual, Jonathan Tomei.

Giantkillers is packed with adventure and is a great story for children and adults as well.

Based on what is probably very common issues between many elementary public school teachers and their administration, this author puts an adventurous twist to overcome what would appear to be a typically hopeless situation. Israel Efrain Ortiz creatively uses this very odd setting to portray the experiences of a brave and atypical school teacher, Jonathan Tomei. As you experience the life of this often overlooked modern day hero, the dedicated elementary school teacher - Jonathan Tomei, uses his martial arts and detective talents to do extraordinary things in order to spare his students from the negative effects of the elementary school district's administrative bureaucracies.

To this extent Israel Efrain Ortiz cleverly takes this unusual setting and packs it with wonderful humor, adventure, espionage, technology, travel, culture, family, history, language, mystery, politics, martial arts (real applicable teachings in self defense), and even emotion at a level every kid can relate to - even us big kids.

The characters within this book, such as Jonathan, Yesenia, Stacy and their tag team of friends come alive as you experience their quest to confront mysterious and dangerous adversaries who are determined to promote social demise.

This is a book that will entertain the whole family. I enjoyed reading it. My three kids loved it.

This is the first time I've ever reviewed an item at Amazon.com, but I think this book is so special, I had to share my comments.

The illustrations are breathtaking and the content is interesting, easy to read and digest, and through provoking. I love every page!

This book is the perfect gift for anyone interested in history, art, Israel, or politics.

A superbly illustrated history, "Homeland" is a historical overview of 3,500 years of Israel's complex and complicated history presented with the accuracy of university level scholarship and the accessibility of a graphic novel. Exceptionally easy to understand, Israel's history is laid out chronologically with almost every page featuring full color photos and painted illustrations enhancing a superimposed explanatory text. The collaborative effort of Marv Wolfman, Mario Ruiz, and William J. Rubin, "Homeland" begins with the story of Abraham, continues through biblical times down to the period of Roman rule, the diaspora, the Holocaust, the founding of the modern State of Israel, notes its accomplishments, as well as the recent wars the Israeli's have had to wage in order to preserve their nation and themselves. Of special note is how the authors, while writing from a Jewish perspective, have also drawn upon non-Jewish narratives as well, giving "Homeland" an historical context with respect to contemporary Middle East issues. A unique and visually impressive publication which is also available in paperback ($19.95), "Homeland: The Illustrated History of the State of Israel" is a welcome and enthusiastically recommended addition to personal, school, and community library collections.

When I was a young child, My grandma Esther would taut at me about my comic collection. She said "Mickey Mouse books that won't ever matter ever.". Those words still echo in my head today. After reading Homeland, I wish I could show this book to her now.She would be amazed


To call this book a graphic history novel would not be an insult. There have been other historical graphic novels that have gone before like Maus : A Survivor's Tale : My Father Bleeds History/Here My Troubles Began/Boxedand Barefoot Gen Volume One: A Cartoon Story of Hiroshima . However the quality of this work surpasses those two graphic novels. BUT after you buy this, get those as well!

However this illustrated story of the state of Israel is more a history lesson for the masses. The text written by Marvel and DC comic scribe Marv Wolfman is not bias nor boring. He may have a jewish narrative, but it is not so heavy handed as most other works out there are. Its timeline goes from the Bible to modern day Israel. Wolfman's words are well researched. It is about a country and a civilization, Wolfman's pen skills takes adult and child alike into history with ease, which is a hard feat for most writers

The dymanic art work and digital images from the amazing hands of Mario Ruiz is a tresure to keep. This is not an illustrated bible, but a painted graphic novel which unfolds into a history that breathes. This is not comic book images, this is art!

Lets be honest, Children bore easy when you speak of history of any sort...In my opinion, I would want a copy of this comic in every kid's hands over the age of twelve. I do not mean just Jewish children, I mean EVERY CHILD! I do not assume they would bore that easy with a teacher's study guide..which i would hope comes soon

And now to the adults, this volume is great for the coffee table set. Nevertheless, take it off the table and read it too. However, I think the art is so well versed, I which there were prints available for framing of some of Ruiz's craftmanship. I hope that comes soon as well!

Everyone is seeking great gift ideas for the upcoming holiday seasons...

so the for comic/graphic novel fans out there, this book will thrill them, just whisper Marv Wolfman's name....

For the history buff, this will intrigue them, it is about an ancient civilization....

For the arsty set, the artwork along will immerse them in masterful images...

For the future Bar Mitzvah boy or Bas Mitvah girl (or their families), this is a great gift to add to their religious library....

For the non Jewish religious ones on your list, the text will still engross them...

And for those who just like a coffee table book which stands out above the rest, this book will suit those

For whatever reason you choose, this book is a gift that keeps giving..So get it!

Bennet Pomerantz AUDIOWORLD

A friend let me read her copy and I just ordered my own.
The story is both enlightening and entertaining.
And the web doesn't even do justice to the graphics. They are even more amazing in print. I think fans of history (both ancient and contemporary) and those who like graphic novels will love this new book.

This wonderfully llustrated history gives a great overview of Jewish heritage and a context for today's politics. A great way to get a grounding in the subject for those of Jewish heritage who missed Hebrew School, or others wanting insight into the tragedies and traditions informing modern Judaism (and Zionism). Would be great for teens, but also for adults looking for the big picture.

Imagine trying to survive 3,153,600 minutes of hell, with each minute seeming as if it was a year long. That's what Helina Birenbaum describes in her autobiography about surviving the holocaust, Hope is the Last to Die.
The book and its author are remarkable, as Joan Martorelli, notes in her review on Amazon.com (June 15, 2003). Going over the descriptive passion Halina writes with, Ms. Martorelli introduces ideas about how an everyday person could cope with the Holocaust and also looks back on times she visited concentration camps.
One point that Ms. Martorelli makes in this review is that her descriptions of the trauma, the joy, and the anger are so vivid and expressive that they simply draw you in and make you feel as though you are almost there with her as she goes through the manic changes of emotion. I completely agree with this. I also think (though the writer of this review doesn't contradict this) that it would be impossible to fully experience any pain Halina went through just by reading a book about the troubles, But acknowledging that brings us one step closer to comprehending.
Halina did not get a chance to grieve about a lot of the loss faced. She was not able to sit down and cry even for a minute because it would jeopardize her chances of survival. In the loss of both her dear mother and of her first love, she isn't able to say goodbye. They are both taken so suddenly and forcefully. She had to tune out her urges to mourn. If she had not done that, I believe she would have died along side the millions of other persecuted.
A book so filled with love, character, hope, and that's so easy to follow and get caught up in should not be kept of your bookshelf. Hope is the Last to Die fits that description perfectly, and I recommend this book to everyone.

Grand Rapids, MI

I also bought this book in Auschwitz. I read is as soon as I bought it. While touring through the concentration camps you see all the horrible things that these people had to go through. But when you read the book, you experience the whole thing again, but with more heart. You go through the steps with Halina, you cry and you can almost feel what she felt. She is a remarkable woman for not possessing hatred, instead she encourages love and wisdom. Because of Halina I have become a more understanding person.

I have read many books about the holocaust, but this one is special to me. After having the honor of actually meeting the author and hearing her story told first-hand (twice), I felt like I had to get her book. I did, and it changed me. Reading it was an experience which was almost too difficult for me and yet, I didn't want it to end.

It is written like a story -you go through everything she goes through, you sort of relive it with her. That is why, when you finish the book, you feel like she is your best friend. I wish she was.

I have read many books and seen many movies about the Holocaust; have visited Auswchwitz and Dachau, but I have never felt the horror of the camps as I did while reading this book. The reader is there with Ms. Birenbaum, feeling the cold, the hunger, the constant terror and rage. It is unimaginable that this woman survived 6 years of inhuman treatment--but she did.

Because Ms. Birenbaum describes her own experiences as a Polish Jew coming of age during the Third Reich, she has much to teach us. The author expresses her emotions so simply and beautifully that the reader feels joy at her triumphs and while crying at her losses, emotional pain and humiliation. This remarkable woman, who was a child (between 9 and 15 years of age during the war), was wise, strong, resourceful and brave beyond all expectations. She watched almost all those she loved disappear. While standing in line at a "selection" at the Majdanek Camp, she turned around to talk to her beloved mother who had for years emotionally sheltered her young daughter from the inevitable (a la "Life is Beautiful"), and found her gone. She never saw her again, never said good-bye. In the camps she created new families for herself, only to loose these people, as well. Most touching was Ms. Birenbaum's first experience of falling in love and the loss of that man. And through all this, she was never able to mourn. Emotions had to be pushed deep inside because the focus had to be on survival.

On several occasions, the author expressed her need for dignity and self-respect by standing up to her captors and, unbelieveably, was not shot for her defiance. She describes her indifference to the pain of others as a way of coping with the near certainty that she would loose them, while also expressing her longing to be touched and held and by someone.

After reading this book, I think about all the little annoyances of daily living, and how meaningless they are. I wonder how many of us, in our pre-teens, could have dealt with the protracted horror of the ghetto and camps as Ms. Birenbaum did. How many of us would have had the will and fortitude to live through the experiences described in this book? Ms. Birenbaum, you were a remarkable child and are a courageous woman!

One of the BEST first hand accounts of the holocost and life inside Auschwitz. I bought my copy at Auschwitz and every detail from the book is superimposed with the memory of the camp as it is today. The imagery the author uses is mesmerizing. This is a truly moving story full of hardship and courage. Even through all of the trials and tribulations of life in the camp of death, the author shows us the beauty of companionship and hope. I wondered at this book. How one individual could servive those around her dying and still have the desire to live. It is through the hope and courage that she can live and it is through this book that the problems of my life seem so insignificant.

Prof. Troen confronts questions that stand at the heart of Israel's self-understanding. His answers will surely arouse controversy, but the questions he poses must be faced.

Ilan Troen's Imagining Zion may well be the very most important book to appear in many years on patterns of Jewish settlement in Palestine/Israel. At a time when much discussion is devoted to Jewish settlement and, related to that, the very legitimacy of the Zionist enterprise in the Land of Israel, Troen's balanced and highly informative book is a must read. Thoroughly researched, lucidly written, and informed by an intimate familiarity with comparative materials (the author was an urban historian of the United States before switching to the history of the Yishuv), this book serves as a much needed corrective to the spate of essays that have recently appeared lining the modern state of Israel in most superficial ways to so-called settler states such as French Algeria and South Africa. In telling the compelling story of Zionist achievement, the author never loses sight of how the Jewish community in the Land of Israel envisioned the master plan of Zionist development and also took into consideration its impact on the indigenous Arab population. This highly nuanced and extremely informative book should attract audiences drawn from a wide range of academic disciplines. It is not only very timely, it has the virtue of being written in very accessible prose.

This is the only comprehensive history of Zionist and Israeli settlement available in English. Troen's focus on Zionism's developmental ethos and its realization yields an important contribution to a field dominated by high politics and military affairs.

"Among all the books on the subject of Zionist economic/security ideology, this is one of the finest I have ever read. Its research is vast, its approach is fresh and original, its conclusions are sound."--Howard M. Sachar, author of A History of Israel

"Prof. Troen confronts questions that stand at the heart of Israel's self-understanding. His answers will surely arouse controversy, but the questions he poses must be faced."--David Engel, New York University

"This is the only comprehensive history of Zionist and Israeli settlement available in English. Troen's focus on Zionism's developmental ethos and its realization yields an important contribution to a field dominated by high politics and military affairs."--Derek J. Penslar, Zacks Professor of History; Director, Jewish Studies Program, University of Toronto

"This is a superb book. A sweeping study of the Zionist settlement of Palestine from the late nineteenth century to our own time, it analyzes the ideological, pragmatic, and ultimately strategic concerns that shaped the nature of Jewish communities in the State of Israel as well as the pre-state period. It succeeds in integrating the story of the building of Israel--from the kibbutz to Tel Aviv to development towns--within the context of urban and rural development in the modern western world."--Paula Hyman, Yale University

"Ilan Troen's Imagining Zion may well be the very most important book to appear in many years on patterns of Jewish settlement in Palestine/Israel. At a time when much discussion is devoted to Jewish settlement and, related to that, the very legitimacy of the Zionist enterprise in the Land of Israel, Troen's balanced and highly informative book is a must read. Thoroughly researched, lucidly written, and informed by an intimate familiarity with comparative materials (the author was an urban historian of the United States before switching to the history of the Yishuv), this book serves as a much needed corrective to the spate of essays that have recently appeared lining the modern state of Israel in most superficial ways to so-called settler states such as French Algeria and South Africa. In telling the compelling story of Zionist achievement, the author never loses sight of how the Jewish community in the Land of Israel envisioned the master plan of Zionist development and also took into consideration its impact on the indigenous Arab population. This highly nuanced and extremely informative book should attract audiences drawn from a wide range of academic disciplines. It is not only very timely, it has the virtue of being written in very accessible prose."--Jacob Lassner, Northwestern University (author of The Middle East Remembered: Forged Identities, Competing Narratives, Contested Spaces)

This is a superb book. A sweeping study of the Zionist settlement of Palestine from the late nineteenth century to our own time, it analyzes the ideological, pragmatic, and ultimately strategic concerns that shaped the nature of Jewish communities in the State of Israel as well as the pre-state period. It succeeds in integrating the story of the building of Israel--from the kibbutz to Tel Aviv to development towns--within the context of urban and rural development in the modern western world.

Michael Dolan has lived as a professional journalist in the Middle East for over two of the five decades he covers in "Israel at the Crossroads."

Assignments have continued to be awarded to him from leading media outlets throughout the world.

His balanced firsthand reporting of the events surrounding the struggles for the land of Israel begins with a detailed examination of Arab as well as Jewish history. He follows up with a delineation of the religious aspects of the ongoing conflict from both perspectives of Islam and Judaism.

Mr. Dolan's friendships with individuals from both camps is evident in his delicate presentation of the people centered, according to Scripture, as 'the apple of God's eye.' {Deuteronomy 32:10; Zechariah 2:8}

TL Farley,
author,

When Now Becomes Too Late
{ Prophecy : The Rapture In Brief : Inside The Twinkle ! }

Distant Reaches
{ True Life Adventure In Ireland, Boston and On The North Atlantic }

I found this book very interesting and quite informative. It gave a very objective and yet consise perspective on the modern developments in Israel and its continuing struggle with the Palestinian drive for Independence. I thought that the information on religious differences was also of much interest.

The Middle East Crisis has been a major TV news topic for at least the last 30 years. Nevertheless, most Americans have no clue what is going on over there. We continue to try to understand the situation based on Western logic while not understanding that the involved parties have a perspective that does not fit Western logic, bargaining, or compromise. This book gives a terrific overview of the topic.

I found this book very interesting and quite informative. It gave a very objective and yet consise perspective on the modern developments in Israel and its continuing struggle with the Palestinian drive for Independence. I thought that the information on religious differences was also of much interest.

This is an excellent account of the history of the Jewish state and it's conflicts with the Arab world, including the Palestinian issue.

The book has a Biblical foundation and provides an objective analysis of the present situation.

This book is well written and easy to understand. It provides an insight from both sides of the conflict and much of the account is based on the personal experience of one who has experienced much of the conflict first hand & who lives in Jerusalem. Someone who has also reported on the ongoing conflict for a major media network.

I share the author's interest and love for the Holy Land and a large percentage of his opinions. I have listened to David Dolan speak on the subject and he possesses a wealth of information, knowledge and experience.

Highly recommended.

As expected of a man like rabbi Jacobs, a great book that gives you a real picture of the Israeli prison system, and shows that inside every Jew there is a part of G-d, no matter how far they seem to be from Him. Rabbi Jacobs did the hardest thing there is to do - he found that part and brought it out into reality.
May we be so lucky to see many more such books.

I am inspired by the Rabbi's dedication to finding the G-dly spark in every person, even in the darkest place, and to encouraging him to build on it and turn his life around.

This book offers a fascinating look at the Israeli prison system from the inside and from the unique point of view of the prison chaplain. Each chapter is the story of a particular prisoner - and a more motley and interesting bunch of characters you couldn't hope to meet! Never predictable, this compelling book draws the reader along in its wake and humanizes both prisoners and prison staff. As such, it's a must-read for anyone who works in criminal justice anywhere.

Coincidentally, I'd recommend this book as a gift for young people who may be resistant to reading. The book's rapid-fire narrative style and its exciting content are things a youthful reader is likely to find especially appealing, while us older folks can probe the deeper human implications of the book's myriad and marvelous tales.

A unique window onto contemporary Israeli culture and Jewish life. Israel Behind Bars is an inspiring text expressed in moving yet entertaining, down-to-earth language. Rabbi Fishel Jacobs' autobiographical style provides a compelling, personal narrative written with honesty and good humor demonstrating the obstacles we face and how they can be overcome. This book is highly recommended for all readers interested in Jewish life, culture and particularly for undergraduate courses in Jewish studies. -- Richard I. Sugarman, Professor of Religion, University of Vermont

This is a great book of inspiring stories, powerful anecdotes and moving lessons. It is an enjoyable read, well written, and really thought provoking. Great for a wide range of audiences and especially intriguing considering the current situation in the Middle East. Rabbi Jacobs is clearly a unique individual who has affected not only the lives of the prisoners, but all who hear his stories as well.

SE, Philadelphia

The writers of this book maintain that Scripture should where possible be interpreted within the context of the "Author intended meaning", which I found was a refreshing and illuminating approach. Care being taken not to take Scripture out of it's true context where it's original meaning could be in danger of being lost or distorted.

The Holy Spirit inspired Scriptures being interpreted in the context of the circumstances in "which they were spoken, to whom they were spoken, by whom they were spoken, and as it would have been understood by all concerned at the time they were spoken". A principle which will ensure, as far as is possible, that there is no misconception in reading & understanding the true meaning behind the Scriptures themselves.. (Eg; when Israel was a nation besieged or the Body of Believers were under persecution etc.).

Many aspects of Scripture are discussed using this principle of interpretation with special reference given to the interpretation of Biblical prophecy, the Gospel message and the numerous Hebrew prophets.

The differing, often controversial, opinions within the Church in relation to the "End Times", including the Rapture, Tribulation, Millennium and the appearance of the anti-Christ are also examined, with each position explained alongside the writers' own interpretations and whether or not they agree.

The place of both Israel and the Church are similarly examined in detail, both in their own rights and in so far as they relate to each other, the Gospel and the "End Times".

The authors ask at the outset that the book be read with an "open mind" so I will not "spoil the plot" by explaining the personal interpretations of the writers here. In my experience this often causes either instant dismissal or acceptance of the book with an appropriate vote given to the review. I think that instant dismissal of this book in such a manner would be disappointing as there is so much on offer here.

As I progressed through the book I was pleasantly surprised how much I agreed with the interpretations given in this work. Even those who will disagree with the observations here will surely obtain some enlightenment from this book and will perhaps examine the Scriptures more closely in future. A recommended read.

Dan Juster is a Messianic Jew - a Jew who believes in and follows Messiah Jesus. This book, written with Keith Intrater, is of reference quality, yet, it is easy to read and understand. It contains valuable insight presented in a forthright and balanced manner. A must read for any thoughtful person, especially one who believes in Messiah /Christ Jesus.

This book is a must read for every Believer in Jesus, the Messiah! This book gives indepth analysis of the complex, and everlasting connection between God's people, the Israelites and the Christian Church. I was inspired by the authors' fearless examination of longtime, dearly held traditional beliefs of the Christian Church, confronting basically unscriptural teachings with the timeless truth found in the scripture itself. Their emphasis on the "Kingdom of God" as the focus of the Lord's purpose in the Last Days is truly a revelation from God's Word, the Bible.

As an author of a book on Bible prophecy myself, I found this book to be a source of both information and inspiration as I concluded writing "Mystery Babylon the Great, Defender of Israel, A Search for America in Bible Prophecy". Discovering Keith Intrater and Dan Juster's work gave me confidence that I was not alone in questioning some basic teachings that are inconsistent with scripture.

I congratulate them on this excellent and courageous work that bravely stands on scripture in challenging Christian traditions such as the timing of the Rapture and the idea that the Church has replaced Israel as the focus of Bible prophecy related to the end times. Such traditions have mislead a generation who have misplaced their hope on such erroneous teachings that led to the fiction of the "Left Behind" series.

I must also recommend my own book as one which builds on this theme of "Israel and the Church in the Last Days" with great detail from the Book of Revelation and other scripture into how America will carry out the curious role of being God's tool of the ministry of the Gospel and protector of Israel while at the same time fulfulling the prophecies of Mystery Babylon, the great whore of Revelation.

As the last days approach, Dan Juster and Keith Intrater present an optimistic view for believers around the world. A restoration of the Body of Christ is beginning to take place as the church asserts her unity, power, gifts and begins to establish the five fold ministry as found in the example of the first century church. What is the key element for the Church in these last days as she asserts her power? Establishing a saved remnant of Israel. How does one help establish a saved remnant, especially a saved Jewish remnant? Through establishing the Kingdom of God in every sphere of life through signs and wonders, deliverance, healing and living according to the law as Christ himself lived.
This book was first published in 1990, ahead of it's time considering the recent trends in publishing with Dallas Willard's Kingdom living emphasis in 1998's Christian Book of the Year - The Divine Conspiracy.
While optimistic for believers, the book also proclaims some bold truths which also seem prophetic in light of recent events, such as page 187 under the title - The Coming Armageddon. After quoting Joel 3:9-10 the authors' write "This is the buildup for the greatest clash the world has ever seen. The three themes of spiritual warfare, the restoration of Israel, and the judgement of the nations are all pending and at hand." Recommend Revelation - The Passover Key as a companion by author Dan Juster

As a seminary student, I have begun to find a very problematic atmosphere cropping up in today's churches and intellectuals--the problem is that of replacement theology, the idea that the church fully replaced Israel in importance and significance. This theology is extremely detrimental toward true study of scripture, both historical scripture, wisdom scripture, the Gospels, and all the prophetic literature within the Bible, both Old and New Testament. It undermines God's Covenantal Redemptive History and it leads, I fearfully have to say, to either lack of concern for Israel and her people to downright Anti-Semitism. Postmillennialism, amillennialism, and preterism is rooted in the Anti-Semitic teachings of the church during the first few centuries of the church's life (from around St. Augustine) even up through Martin Luther to today's day and age. Not that I am saying that you are racist against Jews if you do not follow the PreMill point of view, still, you must realize that the other "millennialisms" are washed in almost two thousand years of Gentile racism point of view toward Jews. You are probably not a racist, in fact you (whomever may be reading this) probably deeply loves and cares for both friends and enemies as you should, however you must realize that the birth of other interpretations are borne from racist thoughts and ideas. If the church is what's important, than the church gains the power, and the truth is left to the side. The Bible clearly speaks of the futurist importance of Israel and her people in both the Millennial Kingdom and the New Heavens and the New Earth. Go read the book Unholy War by Randall Price to gain a better realization, along with MacArthur's The Second Coming.

Now, let's get back to this fine book for your library. That is why I am happy to see this work by Keith Intrater and I hope to see new books by him in the future, his other volume being From Iraq to Armageddon. It is a vital importance that you and I gain an appreciation and a love toward the Jewish people and their God-given land, Israel, especially the City where Yahweh dwells with His people, Jerusalem. In this day and age when Israel is fulfilling prophecies found in both Testaments, when the battlelines are being drawn between the world and Yahweh, it is a joy to see Jews coming to Yeshua, Jesus, and rebuilding the relationship that had been broken down in AD 70 between Gentile Christians and hopeful Jewish Christians to come. With each chapter, the reader will gain a fresh understanding of just how important this little bit of land is for the entire earth, and how her people are important integers in the final battle between the forces of light and darkness. This book will help you even if you are like me, a Gentile, who wishes to give love and prayer to Yahweh, God, through Yeshua, Jesus Christ, by holding a hand out to the Jewish people and fighting for their rights, when the whole world and the darkness that lives in the world, wants to destroy the Jews--from Western and Eastern Europe to the radical Islamic nations.

If you like this book, I highly suggest you read the works by Randall Price. It gives a Gentile impression on how we need to band together for the name of Israel and her people, along with the future of the Temple.

"Israel: Life in the Shadow of Terror paints a personal and devastating portrait of the losses we face -- and the love we feel -- in Israel today. It is an important and enlightening collection. Compassionate, wise, and profoundly moving. Israel: Life in the Shadow of Terror will make you tearful, angry, informed, proud, inspired, and above all motivated to stand up and support Israel and the Jewish people. Absolute must reading.

This moving book contains an impressive selection of essays on Israel. These deal with all angles of life, history and politics, like the reality of living with terror on a daily basis, the Mideast War and the question of immigrating to Israel. Above all, it provides a stirring portrait of ordinary people going about their business, and then frames these accounts into a bigger picture of world history. There are some prominent names amongst the contributors, like Elie Wiesel, Natan Sharansky, Benjamin Netanyahu, Jeff Jacoby, Ken Spiro, Jack Kemp and Jeanne Kirkpatrick.

The first part, Living With Terror, deals more specifically with eyewitness accounts of terrorist incidents up to 2003. This section can be quite harrowing and might be very disturbing to sensitive readers. Still it is important to know since the mass media hardly ever reports on the suffering of Israelis. The dignity and courage of the survivors of such attacks are remarkable.

Part Two: Israel Perspectives, includes a powerful essay by Sharansky plus many more fascinating pieces by Wiesel, Sarah Rigler and Rabbi Wein. The most memorable chapters include thoughts on Israel's independence day, the Zionist Dream and the Holy Land as a home for the soul. It concludes with the illuminating chapter Why Jerusalem Matters by Rabbis Braverman and Shraga Simmons.

Part Three: Israel Diaries, contains more accounts of experiences with terror in Israel and a chapter on Anti-Semitism on a campus in the USA. Amongst the most chilling are the essays Coffee With My Enemies by Sarah Shapiro and Insidious Palestinian Television by Sue Tedmon.

Part Four: The Mideast Conflict, contains insightful articles on the root cause of terrorism, Jewish and Muslim claims on Jerusalem, anti-globalisation and Anti-Semitism, and dishonest reporting. This is a most revealing section of the book as it uncovers the lack of media objectivity and the downright lies, like the supposed Jenin massacre where nothing of the kind ever took place. The history of the land is discussed and the facts about the various wars since 1948 are clearly provided. This part includes discussions of the Jewish and Arab refuges since 1948 and concludes with Ephraim Shore's 15 Things I Don't Understand About The Peace Process.

The final section: Coming Home, talks about the choice faced by Diaspora Jews to return to Israel, to make 'Aliyah' to their ancient homeland. It includes a chapter on practical ways of supporting Israel, called Fifty-five Ways To Help Israel. The book concludes with a memorable essay by Sara Rigler: Loving The Land Of Israel. She concludes that the land of Israel is the place that God has designated for His rendezvous with the Jewish people. How could they spurn this opportunity now?

This book has deeply moved me as a non-Jew, and I now understand the complex situation much better. Those who wish to know the truth about the Mideast conflict will find more than enough verifiable facts here. Moreover, a lot of the writing is filled with an authentic spirituality that is highly inspiring. I started the book with a sense of horror as I read about the victims of terror, but I ended it with a great sense of upliftment.

Israel within its current borders is a tiny sliver of decency in a neighbourhood of unspeakable evil. Surrounded by oppressive regimes, under daily terror attack and facing hostile world opinion, this brave little country nevertheless holds on to its values of democracy and the rule of law. Although the people have been paying a high price for military preparedness, there are signs of increasing prosperity as Israeli scientists are amongst the best in the world and the people are blessed. Israel has so much to contribute, if the world will only let it.

I would like to refer the interested reader to the following titles of related interest: Unholy Alliance by David Horowitz, The New Antisemitism by Phyllis Chesler, Myths And Facts: A Guide To The Arab-Israel Conflict by Mitchell G Bard, The Nazi Connection To Islamic Terrorism by Chuck Morse and The Mountains Of Israel by Norma Archbold Parrish. God bless Israel and all those who love her.

Have you been bombarded with news about the terrorist attacks on Israel? If so, what viewpoint do you get to see? Perhaps sympathetic stories about the terrorists and their families? Along with explanations that the main problem is "Israeli greed?" And Israel's "illegal theft of Arab land?" And the horror of Israel permitting Jews to live in Judea?

If so, then I think this book is for you. Its many essays tell, in dramatic style, how things look from an Israeli perspective. There are a wide variety of articles about the effect of all this terror on Israel and Israelis. Some of the essays that impressed me the most were written by Tuvia Grossman, Sherri Mandell, Elie Weisel, Natan Sharansky, Sue Tedmon, Laurie Zoloth, Efraim Karsh, Israel Asper, Jeff Jacoby, Dore Gold, and Ephraim Shore. Near the end of the book, there is also an excellent article called "Fifty-five Ways to Help Israel."

I recommend the entire book, and I think aish.com and the editors (Nechemia Coopersmith and Shraga Simmons) deserve plenty of compliments for their fine work.

This finely crafted treasure, edited by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith and Rabbi Shraga Simmons portrays life in Israel today , and the trials and tribulations faced by Israel and it's people.
It shows you what a prejudiced media will not dare to let you see, because their agenda is to prepare the world for genocide of the Jews of Israel, through a monstrous propaganda machine, never seen since Goebbels and Der Sterner paved the way for the holocaust.

The book is dedicated to the victims of Arab terror , and the first of four sections is a harrowing and heartwrenching portrait of the horrific terror faced by the people of Israel, since Yasser Arafat launched a war of genocide against the Israeli people In this he has been fully backed , in his evil plans , by the international media, world academia,the international left, the United Nations and other powerful global interests.

This part of this phenomenal work shows you that victims of terror are real, that the suffering of the people of Israel is real, no less so because they are ignored by the media and universities.

It deals with the trauma of the familes of those who where murdered by Arab terror , and the pain and courage of those who survived.
As we read throught the case histories of some of the +- 1000 Jews killed and tens of thousands injured in the last five years of terror, we are astounded by how resilient are the people of Israel in the face of this onslaught , as well as how cold-blooded and savage her loathsome enemies are:

"All I see in my mind's eye is a woman shrieking as she turns to see her two-year old daughter , in her stroller , engulfed in flames. She reaches to pull her daughter out of the fire-but can't because the explosion that has sheathed the carriage in flames has blown off her own arm below the elbow. She can't pull her daughter out of the burning carriage because she no longer has two hands."


A few of the cases covered: Thousands of Israeli Jewish men, women and children have died from bombs, bullets or knife attacks, and thousands of others have been maimed, blinded, orphaned, widowed and terrorized.

Two years ago on the eve of the Jewish New Year, seven month old Shaked Abraham was shot dead in her crib by an Arab murderer who forced his way into her parent's house as the family was celebrating the New Year.

A ten-month-old Jewish baby, Shalhevet Pass, was shot in her father's arms by an Arab sniper in 2001.

The following year, a five-year-old girl, Danielle Shefi, was shot to death at point blank range by an Arab killer, while cowering under her parents' bed.

That same year, two boys, four- and five-years old, where shot dead together with their mother as she read them a bedtime story, in a left-wing kibbutz, by Arab terrorists.

Over 25% percent of Jewish children living in Israel do not have enough food to eat as a result of the Intifada (war of extermination) waged by Yasser Arafat, along with the economic boycotts initiated by sympathizers of the Palestinian plans of genocide against the Israeli people.


Parts two and three 'Israel Perspectives' and 'Israel Diaries' cover the lives and perspectives of the people living in the Land of Israel, and of the Jewish people generally.
Professor Laurie Zoloth details her experiences of anti-Israel and anti-Semitic hate at San Fransisco State University.
The fourth section involves seperating the facts from the myths , which have been so obscured by the media and universities.
Articles by William J Bennett , Benjamin Netanyahu , and Ephraim Karsh detail the facts behind the conflict and the history of terrorism. There is a super article by Rabbi Ken Spiro about the history of Jerusalem ,and the conflicting Jewish and Moslem claims to Jerusalem , and the fifth deals with the choice faced by Jews in the diaspora to return to Israel, the ancient Jewish homeland-to make 'Aliyah'.
There is a helpful chapter detaling 55 ways to help Israel.
In summing up, Rabbi Shalom Schwartz reminds us that 'Since Camp David, 2000 , it has become painfully obvious that this conflict is not primarily about land , it is about Jews.
The book deals a lot with the spiritual side to the conflict , urging Jews to improve themselves spiritually .It is primarily about Love of the three most important things to the Jewish people.
Love for the Land of Israel
Love for the People of Israel
And love for the Torah of Israel.
The book affirms the extraordinary spirit of the people of Israel,
the most humane, giving, life-affirming people on the planet--
whatever sick propaganda you might have read to the contrary.
The past four years have been largely fashioned by the violent and cruel stepping-up of the campaign of those Arabs that call themselves `Palestinians', and their international networks of support, to destroy the Jewish homeland. This attack on Israel is not merely for a piece of land. It is an attack on decency, truth, compassion, respect for human life, on the sense of honor and on the Judeo-Christian spirit.

For the Jews, the past four years have been deluged with antisemitic filth, which has poured from Arab and pro-Arab faucets. These sources include the extreme Left, the international media, Neo-Nazis, the United Nations, much of the European Union, the Non-Aligned Movement, Third World regimes, universities and academics and have been perhaps the bitterest since the fall of the Third Reich. The Palestinian terror network has engaged in merciless slaughter of Jewish men, women and children through bomb and bullet. Their malevolence extends to all continents, and Jews are being attacked on all continents.

Universities around the world have become cauldrons of the most uncompromising hatred of Israel and the Jewish people, with the feverish participation of some radical pro-Palestinian Jews. The media around the world does its best to paint the beleaguered nation of Israel as an aggressor and human rights abuser. They use the most sophisticated as well as the most blunt propaganda tricks, while showing not the slightest compassion or sympathy for the five million Jews of Israel who are facing a wave of daily terror. The Non Aligned Movement, has been particularly venomous in their uncompromising hatred of Israel. They support the most horrific excesses carried out by the Palestinian terror network and by every dictatorship in the world.

In the face of this growing terror, it may seem to be whistling in the wind to call for confidence. Yet it is good to remember the Jews are not fighting alone. Many Christians in the lands where freedom is still valued realize the assault on Israel is an assault on Judeo-Christian civilization, and that the Islamists and their extreme Left allies are a common enemy.
It is good to remember also that the Jews have shown a capacity for resistance and survival that has never been equaled. There have been others who have attempted what the Palestinians and their sympathizers are attempting, such as Pharaoh, Amalek, Haman, Antiochus, Torquemada, Chmielnicki, Hitler and Stalin.

It may require a miracle for Israel to survive the contemporary Amalek, the most powerful incarnation of them all. But the very existence of the Jewish people after so long a travail is itself a miracle. It is clear that God has always pulled the Jewish people through and ensured the total defeat of our enemies.

Jews and Israel must once again call up their reserves of courage and hope and, in alliance with the pro-freedom forces that still survive, continue to fight back. Perhaps our stamina, tested so often in the past, will once again help us over this grave crisis. Most importantly God will once again destroy our enemies and save Am Yisrael.

I was both moved and shocked as I turned the pages of this book and I could only identify with the comments of one contributor who suggested that the book should be "written in tears instead of ink". Such are the depths of suffering revealed in this work.

The book openly declares that words are insufficient to express the scope of the pain and tragedy suffered by the individuals and families referred to in this study. The source further citing words as also being inadequate to describe the kind of evil that "places a nine month old Jewish baby in the crosshairs of a rifle & pulling the trigger", as well as the "evil" that detonates a bomb amongst a hotel full of elderly Jews & their families sitting down to celebrate Passover.

Reference is made to what is described as the shattering of thousands of Jewish families who have been plunged into what is depicted as a daily struggle of survival, adversity and aching loss. All of which permeate the pages of this compassionate study.

Through numerous first person accounts, the reader is presented with a very personal, almost tangible, encounter with the consequences of such terrorism. The reader being confronted with many accounts from individuals who have themselves witnessed, survived or endured such attacks.

The cover of this extremely moving and well written book (which is dedicated to the "victims of Arab terror"), declares that an allegedly prejudiced International media has prevented the wider public at large from truly understanding the realities of living in Israel under a virtual shadow of Arab terrorism. An experience defined here as being amongst the most painful and tumultuous in Israel's very existence.

Furthermore the book also takes the time to clarify what it cites as the fundamental issues pertaining to the Middle East conflict and through carefully constructed arguments it also proceeds to dispel what it describes as the "myths and double standards" promoted in the media and amongst the International community & the political realm.

One section illustrating how the vast number of Arab & Islamic states have what is termed as a "disproportionate voice" in setting an alleged anti-Israeli agenda at the United Nations, where for 53 years Israel has been the only UN member denied a seat on the UN Security Council, whilst Arab/Islamic states often sit there two at a time. Replete with detail, this particular section deserves reading on it's own merits.

Replete with references the reader is presented with the "war of words" where it is alleged that the Arab world and the media have indeed distorted the very "language of the conflict" to the extent that the truth has been obscured and where Israel has allegedly been robbed of the ability to persuasively present the validity of her cause to the World with any clarity.

Whilst this study recognises the power of the media to influence public opinion, the book simultaneously provides the reader with a ready reference to the "seven rules of media objectivity" which are supposed to govern reporting of the news. In parallel to this, the reader is also shown (through a very convincing argument) how frequently each and every rule is allegedly violated in relation to the Palestinian-Israeli issue.

Another illuminating and disturbing section describes the alleged views of the late Faisal Husseini, the former PLO representative in Jerusalem. Reference is made to Husseini's quoted remarks of 2001, which are shown to outline that the alleged diplomatic policies of the Palestinian Authority are no more than a "Trojan Horse" to obtain as much Israeli territory as possible in the PLO's "phased plan" to eventually eradicate Israel and replace the Jewish state with an Islamic Palestine from "the river to the sea".

The book uses an extensive range of sources in this excellent work. Amongst a seemingly endless list are Elie Wiesel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Efraim Karsh and Dore Gold etc..

This is indeed a very painful and extremely powerful book that is an absolute must read for a fuller understanding of the Middle East conflict and it is a vital addition to anyone's library on the Middle East without which the suffering endured by an Israeli society condemned to what is cited as a "siege of terrorism" may be difficult for an outsider to understand.

Towards the end, the book declares that Israel is more than a place to live but a piece of earth "inextricably bound up with the soul of the Jewish people" and elaborating that God Himself loves the Land of Israel more than the most fervent Zionist (quoting the source as the Torah).

I have allocated this book five stars, but in reality, that is just not enough, as this is a priceless study. Might I also recommend to those interested in the Palestinian-Israeli issue a book (edited by Raphael Israeli) entitled "The Dangers Of A Palestinian State". Thank you for your time.

Mr Sher writes a well balanced book in a very clear writing style which enables everyone to understand the complex process of negotiations.
Although with sadness I knew the outcome, I still felt hopeful throughout that the team would be able to secure a peace for both peoples.
This book is well balanced, Mr Sher giving fair criticism where due regardless of who it is and despite the disappointing outcome, he does not malign anyone involved.
I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to know more of the situation faced by all who live in the Land.

Whilst there have been a number of books on this topic such as Enderlin's Shattered Dreams, Swisher's The Truth About Camp David and Dennis's Ross's verbose recollections in The Missing Peace, Gilead Sher's book is by far the best.

Filled with details of every meeting, discussion between Israelis, Palestinians and Americans, it fills in the missing details as to the motives and positions of the principal players in the negotiations. It reveals that the reason for the breakdown in the negotiations was complex and multi-causal, not simply a case of "exposing Arafat's face" as has so damagingly been popularised in Israeli and Jewish circles.

As Israel approaches a new round of final status negotiations after a break over six years, the Israeli government should have a good read of Sher's book for instruction. The time for wishful thinking regarding a final agreement is over - an agreement in the spirit of the Clinton parameters remains the best resolution of the final status issues, which as Sher sets out the Israeli government accepted, subject to minor clarifications over six years ago.

Gilead Sher spoke yesterday at the Middle East Institute in DC on the newly-translated English edition of his negotiating memoir, Within Reach. It was a total hit, and anyone who wants the cliff notes should check it out on CSPAN.

I was so pleased to discover that Mr. Sher is not only a great orator and public speaker, but a gifted writer as well. His book explains the negotiating process that Sher directed on behalf of the State of Israel. It was, no doubt, a painful personal ordeal, and in rich detail Sher tells us his point of view--from the Camp David 2000 summit to the dozens of covert meetings all across the world with his Palestinian counterparts.

The Arab-Israeli junkie will not be able to set this book down. It is a must read.

The title of Gilead Sher's excellent book: "Within Reach" The Israeli-Palestinian Peace Negotiations, 1999-2001 - - is deceiving. It suggests a dry, ponderous policy analysis that would only be of interest to experts or students of the Middle East conflict. But what Sher really does is provide a fascinating personal journey through an erratic minefield of diplomacy and policy, personalities and cultures. "Within Reach" is extremely well written, and the anecdotes and insights that are peppered throughout provide a deeply personal look at a complex process. It is a riveting story of our times.

Gilead is my brother, so naturally, I am not objective, then again, knowing him personally, I can attest to his unyielding honesty, extraordinary analytical brightness and deep commitment to a fair solution to the Palestinian Israeli conflict.

Refelecting these qualities, "Within Reach," a best seller in Israel, and published illegally in the Arab Press, provides a fascinating insight into the overt and covert negotiations, detailing the Israeli and Palestinian positions on the core issues of the conflict -- Palestinian Refugees Right of Return, Jerusalem, Settlements, Security and Territories, Water. It recounts the ups and downs of the negotiations, the "players" personalities, the decision making process and the proposed solutions, which will no doubt serve as the blueprint for any future negotiations.

I highly recommend it for anyone interested in Israel, in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and most importantly, in the parameters of a possible agreement for the End of Conflict.

This book is stunning, and for multiple reasons. I've known Ken for much of my life, and I never cease to be mesmerized by his teaching. His insights into the parables are unparalleled. I came away from this book awed by the brilliance Jesus displayed in his story telling. I also came away with a renewed appreciation for God's grace revealed in Christ. I can't recommend this book enough, along with Ken's other work. His 30 minute videos are also incredible.

Kenneth Bailey, one of my pastor's professors from seminary, is a real expert on the cultures of the Middle East and both their impact on the way the Judaeo-Christian Scriptures were written and how they should be interpreted by Western Bible students today. I purchased this volume out of curiosity after reading another of Dr. Bailey's books (which I've also reviewed here). I was not disappointed, however I will warn all readers: his books are not for the light reader! This is HEAVY material! Very scholarly stuff, replete with citations and endnotes ad nauseam! If you are a SERIOUS student of the Bible and you want to delve deeply into the exegetical mysteries of the texts, you'll love Dr. Bailey's books. If not, you'll probably find them insufferably dry and so exhaustively detailed as to suffocate your interest in the subject matter.

Certainly Bailey here further contributes to his work on the Prodigal Son by showing with Mid-Eastern sources how Jesus answers his theological critics by retelling an OT story and inserting himself as the hero reconciling the very enemies' accusing him and thereby inserting them in the story as the ones offered this reconciliation.

Bailey's adept insights into sin, reconciliation and Christology are to be keenly noted and praised and utilized. Certainly and primarily this parable is about Jesus as the reconciler, the key to unlocking not only this parable but the Bible itself.

Worthy of reading, and rereading.

Great book. Bailey makes a persuasive case that the story of the Prodigal son is a retelling of the Jacob story. The prodigal son is not a contemporizing of the Jacob story like West Side Story is to Romeo and Juliet. Rather it is a retelling with the crucial elements reversed, slightly altered or preserved. The differences reveal the ministry and mission of Jesus better than the most exhaustive systematic theology. This book goes beyond Poet and a Prophet.

Jesus is a master storyteller. This book facilitates understanding why.

There are portions of the Bible that are shockingly powerful and clear. One such portion is Luke 15 with the Parable of the Lost Sheep/Lost Coin/Lost Son. Bailey is as fine a commentator on this subject as you may find seeing how through this parable Jesus is retelling Israel's story and our own. Simply terrific (as are Bailey's other works!).