A must read guide to the history and reality of anti-semitism. This book feels so relevant in the present day climate.

FIRST THE JEWS

COMBATING THE WORLD’S LONGEST-RUNNING HATE CAMPAIGN

BY RABBI EVAN MOFFIC



ABINGDON PRESS

CHRISTIAN , RELIGION & SPIRITUALITY

PUB DATE 15 JAN 2019





I am reviewing a copy of First the Jews through Abington Press and Netgalley:



Anti-semitism is certainly not something new, this hostility towards the Jewish people has been going on for centuries in this book Rabbi Evan Moffic, believes the answer to why Anti-Semitism, the world’s longest lasting and most persistent hatred continues to this day can be broken up into five rationale’s people most often use. 1.Jews are different. 2. Jews killed Jesus. 3.Jews are greedy. 4. Jews are an inferior race holding back scientific development and 5. Jews are western imperialists. These rationales are just that, excuses people find to hate someone, or as the case maybe an entire religion.



To this day we are hearing of defaced synagogues and death threats of community leaders throughout the world. We sera rise in Anti-Semitism from parts of the right side of the political spectrum with a different kind of Anti-Semitism from some on the left.





In this book Rabbi Evan Moffic focuses on the events following 9.11 that shows new waves of discrimination against Jewish communities!



I found the arguments made in this book both compelling and thought provoking!

I give First the Jews four out of five stars!

There is no doubt that in recent years there is the ugly rise of anti-semitic behaviour and thought, even in socially acceptable and mainstream culture and life.

Rabbi Moffic seeks to answer the question of why there is a deep rooted hatred of the Jewish people. He does this by providing an extremely thorough and in-depth study on the topic.

Sadly, there have been periods in history when Christendom has not helped the cause of Christ and treated the Jewish people in deplorable and despicable ways, which have unfortunately laid the grounds for much modern day examples.

However, that said, Moffic does do some injustice in representing Christianity and solely highlights and almost portrays Christianity as always having a certain approach, neglecting the good that many have sought to do to the Jewish people throughout history on account of their deep rooted Christian faith.

I am also surprised that Rabbi Moffic did not seem to approach the question of why the Jewish people are hated from a thoroughly theological position. Certainly he does highlight specific understandings around the 'separateness' and 'chosen-ness' of the Jewish people; however one would have to conclude that the Jews are hated by many because they are a people special to G-d, a people of whom belong the covenants and the scripture. I would have liked to have seen more engagement here.

Rabbi Moffic does though provide his readers with a fair amount of information about a Jewish understanding of their place from a theological position and this is more than helpful for readers.

The question the book sought to address has been one that a Jewish gentleman and myself were discussing and I had hoped that the book would have given a more committed conclusion.

My thanks however to the Publisher for giving me the opportunity to review the book.

First the Jews: Combating the World's Longest-Running Hate Campaign is a must read, especially with the current events within our country. I highly recommend it . Five stars.

In roughly 250 pages Rabbi Evan Moffic covers a wide range of issues surrounding anti-semitism in surprising depth. It's a very up to date book (it covers the recent Charlottesville riots) and engages in a fair degree of analysis. I'd say it's slightly more of an academic book than easier reading and thus would be a good addition to an educational library. Early on Moffic helpfully explains the difference between being critical of aspects of Judaism and actual anti-semitism, a distinction not often made today. I am not Jewish but have been a Christian for some thirty five years and some of the material made for uncomfortable reading for me. I'd learned about the great role of Martin Luther in the Reformation but not until the past few years have I been aware of his frankly appalling anti-semitic views. While Moffic rightly points out where Christianity has fostered anti-semitic views and actions he does briefly mention where Christianity has supported Jewish people. He also talks of Christian attempts to convert Jews to Christianity with the idea of trying to eradicate Jewish identity. Any evangelistic efforts to reach the Jewish community that I've been involved with over the years haven't attempted to eradicate Jewish identity rather to express its ultimate fulfilment in Jesus, particularly with regard to Messianic Judaism. I've also been aware of a deep love for Jewish culture amongst the Christian communities I've been part of but I appreciate that isn't everyone's experience. That aside this is an important book and definitely worth reading. It may even be helpful to read in a Jewish-Christian book group to help foster better relations. It was certainly an eye opener to me on anti-semitic portrayals of the Jews in finance, culture and media and that is something that must be opposed.

Thanks to NetGalley and Abingdon Press for ARC.

Let me start by saying, that I am not Jewish, but this book is something that anyone and everyone could probably benefit from reading. This is a startling book, but startling in the kind of eye-opening way that we all should benefit from.

If you think that antisemitism is a problem only in the movies or in remote parts of the world, reading this book will really open your eyes. I was not aware of how far these roots have traveled and branched out. I, like many others, was aware of the atrocities of the Nazi regime and of the many years of persecution that the Jewish culture suffered before those events, but reading this book made me see that it is an unfortunate theme that not only continues, but is once more on the rise.

Not only is this an important book, but a fascinating one as well. If you are interested in problems that the world is facing right now, as well as those that history has encountered, then you might consider reading this book. I applaud the author for having the courage and conviction to write this honest account. Fantastic.

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher, provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

This book is good for all religions and races to read. It tackles a very raw and powerful topic to Jews. Anti-semitosm is a long-standing cause of misunderstanding and extreme emotional pain and turmoil for the Jewish people. Anything that can help shed light on just how much this has affected the Jewish people and possibly provide a piece of work that can help create a true understanding and a development of empathy is a necessary book!