The State of Israel is an unlikely powerhouse in a troubled region. Since 1948, Israel has retained its status as a democratic state without interruption. An investor-friendly environment and skilled workforce have led to a thriving economy, whilst the Israel Defense Forces are one of the most powerful armed forces in the world. Yet Israel is also blighted by a plethora of foreign, domestic and security challenges, some of which threaten the very fabric of the state. The cost of living continues to soar; political corruption appears endemic and the conflict with the Palestinians divides domestic opinion and sours Israeli foreign relations. Thus, contemporary Israel remains perplexing, resisting any straightforward categorizations or generalizations. This book provides a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary analysis of the external and internal threats, opportunities and issues facing contemporary Israel. The book comprises sixteen chapters written by recognized authorities in the field of Israeli Studies. Together, the chapters offer a detailed overview of Israel while separately they provide stand-alone coverage of specific topics under discussion. Part I examines the Israeli Political System, such as the Knesset, political parties and extra-parliamentary politics; Part II addresses issues in Israeli society, including the Israeli economy, the divides between Jews and Arabs, religious and secular Israelis and the struggle for gender equality; and Part III focuses on security, geopolitical and foreign policy challenges, looking at relations between Israel and the Jewish Diaspora, Israeli foreign policy, borders and settlements and regional security threats. By filling an important gap in the study of contemporary Israel, this book is of interest to multiple audiences, most notably students and scholars of Israeli politics, the Middle East and comparative politics.

To understand the complexity of modern Israel, you have to first understand the history. This is a nation that has been exiled not once, not twice, but three times... and each time has returned to re-inhabit their homeland. This is unique. How and why has this happened? This book encourages an audience who thinks Israel is an irrelevant issue to think again and understand what God has done and is doing through this small nation. This Bible is, after all, a Jewish book. Jesus was Jewish. Our destiny is tied up in both.

Gain a richer understanding of God's plan for Israel.

Gr 5-7-This glossy, oversized volume provides a highly pictorial overview of the modern state from its beginnings in Palestine up to the present. Scharfstein describes the land and peoples of Israel, its history, government, culture, economy, archaeology, and religion. The country's role in the politics, powerplays, and wars of the Middle East are also summarized. The author explains why, after so many years of negotiations, the Arab countries are now willing to sign peace agreements. The writing is straightforward with brief declarative sentences and from one to two pages devoted to a topic. Maps, diagrams, and full-color and black-and-white photos and reproductions appear throughout. This publisher formerly published Amos Elon's Understanding Israel (1976), and Scharfstein's book appears to be an adaptation and update of it. David Bamberger's A Young Person's History of Israel (1985; both Behrman) is for slightly older audiences. It is written in a flowing narrative that discusses, rather than outlines, the topics and editorializes more than this book, which strives to be objective.-Marcia Posner, Federation of New York and the Jewish Book Council, New York City.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the longest, ongoing hot-and-cold war of the 20th and 21st centuries. It has produced more refugees than any current conflict, generating fully one quarter of all refugees worldwide. Everyone knows that the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is important itself, and is also fueling tensions throughout the Middle East. Yet most people shy away from this conflict, claiming it is “just too complicated” to understand. This book is written for people who want a point of entry into the conversation. It offers both a historic and analytic framework. Readers, whether acting as students, parishioners, neighbors, voters, or dinner guests will find in these pages an analysis of the most commonly heard Israeli positions, and a succinct account of the Palestinian voices we seldom hear. I argue that human rights standards have never been used as the basis on which the Israeli-Palestinian conflict should be resolved and that only these standards can produce a just and sustainable resolution. This book will be useful for classes in Middle East studies, peace and conflict studies, Middle East history, sociology of race, and political science. It can be helpful for church groups, labor groups, or other grass roots organizations committed to social justice, and for all readers who wish to be informed about this important topic. “Professor Spangler’s ... quest for historical and political understanding takes us on a brave and intimate journey into the consequences of Jewish privilege and Jewish victimhood, the agendas of imperial superpowers, and the Palestinian struggle for self-determination.” Alice Rothchild, MD, author of Broken Promises, Broken Dreams: Stories of Jewish and Palestinian Trauma and Resilience, and producer and director of documentary film, Voices Across the Divide “[A] sharp, poignant, well-documented dossier [that] provides readers with all the most-needed facts to grasp the conflict and get involved.” – Sam Bahour, co-editor of Homeland: Oral Histories of Palestine and Palestinians and business development consultant and activist based in Palestine “[T]his one is exceptional! It recounts a historical tale; it provides theoretical underpinnings; it does comparative work; it examines all the details and aspects of ongoing debates; and it brings all to life with real-life stories ... the wonder of this book is its insistence on hope – not a naïve, idealistic hope, but one accompanied by a tool-box for concrete action that might right the wrongs of this tragic tale.” Anat Biletzki, Professor of Philosophy, Tel Aviv University and Albert Schweitzer Professor of Philosophy, Quinnipiac University; Chairperson of B’Tselem, 2001–2006 Eve Spangler is a sociologist and a human and civil rights activist. For the last decade, her work has focused on the Israel/Palestine conflict; she argues that human rights are the neglected standards that could lead to a just and sustainable solution.

A full 75 percent of the Bible is the Old Testament. If one of your kids, or your coworkers, or your friends were to ask you about the Old Testament, could you talk knowledgably about it? When you pastor says that your church believes in the Old Testament because the whole Bible is about Jesus, can you even imagine what he's talking about? In my experience, Christians often know stories from the Old Testament, or maybe have memorized verses from it, but very few would say that they understand it. That's where I stood not long ago, so I set out to do something about it. Frankly, without help, the Old Testament can be difficult to read, let alone understand. But with a little guidance, you can not only understand it, you can appreciate how it harmonizes with the New Testament and you can see how it is so foundational to your faith. I put together this book as I earnestly studied my way through the Old Testament. My hope is that I have taken hundreds of hours of reading and work, and summarized it into a book that can be used by Christians who just don't have hundreds of hours to invest. This book combines the best of what I've read and studied about the Old Testament. • It is part book-read it through, or select areas of interest from the summaries. • It is part Bible study guide-use the summaries to study or lead a Bible study group. • It is part commentary-use it to complement your Old Testament reading. The Old Testament is the story that Jesus completes, and the promise that Jesus fulfills. Are you willing to invest about an hour per week for a year in order to see how this is true? • Learn the name, nature, attributes, and character of God. • Learn biblical principles, patterns, and promises. • Learn about Hebrew culture, language, and history in the context of world history. • Learn of the prophecies of hope through the Messiah. • Learn how the Old Testament testifies to Jesus throughout! Share this adventure with me! Take the first step! Start down the path! You will find it one of the most fulfilling things you've ever done!

Grounded Truth for Life’s Perplexing Questions The NIV Understand the Faith Study Bible, with content from Christianity Today International, provides a deep grounding in Scripture and gives you solid understanding for discussing your faith with others. You will value the way this Bible keeps the joyful, astounding nature of the gospel always in view when addressing doctrine and the pressing questions about what Christians believe. Its content will help you understand what you believe and why, while inspiring you to live for God. Features: Complete text of the accurate, readable, and clear New International Version 104 Everyday Faith devotions use stories and anecdotes to illuminate God’s glorious nature 25 Culture Connections articles highlight customs, holidays, proverbs, stories and sayings from around the world to illustrate classic Christian doctrines 40 Living Parables commentaries demonstrate how contributions of past Christians remain important today 75 Doctrine 101 articles explore the doctrines that have become the bedrock of Christian belief and why in today’s world they are vital to know and believe 12 Up for Debate tables present multiple viewpoints on topics about which believers disagree 8 charts and graphs provide summaries of various theological concepts and arguments Foreword by Christianity Today managing editor Mark Galli

A New York Times Bestseller A leading public intellectual’s timely reckoning with how Jews can and should make sense of their tradition and each other. What does it mean to be a Jew? At a time of worldwide crisis, venerable answers to this question have become unsettled. In To Be a Jew Today, the legal scholar and columnist Noah Feldman draws on a lifelong engagement with his religion to offer a wide-ranging interpretation of Judaism in its current varieties. How do Jews today understand their relationship to God, to Israel, and to each other—and live their lives accordingly? Writing sympathetically but incisively about diverse outlooks, Feldman clarifies what’s at stake in the choice of how to be a Jew, and discusses the shared “theology of struggle” that Jews engage in as they wrestle with who God is, what God wants, or whether God exists. He shows how the founding of Israel has transformed Judaism itself over the last century—and explores the ongoing consequences of that transformation for all Jews, who find the meaning of their Jewishness and their views about Israel intertwined, no matter what those views are. And he examines the analogies between being Jewish and belonging to a large, messy family—a family that often makes its members crazy, but a family all the same. Written with learning, empathy and clarity, To Be a Jew Today is a critical resource for readers of all faiths.

Reading and Understanding the Old Testament: The Foundation of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. By Dr Thomas B. Lane Reading and Understanding the Old Testament: The Foundation of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam is written for anyone who is interested in acquiring basic knowledge and understanding of the content of the Old Testament books. It is also written to enable readers to understand better the religious and theological foundation of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam as well as the background of their differences. All three religions root themselves in the Old Testament and call it the word of God. The book is unique in that instead of just describing some of the content it moves chapter by chapter through each Old Testament book using the actual verses of Scripture explaining clearly their meaning both for people in ancient times and our times today. The author respects and applies in a practical manner modern scholarship even as he believes the Scriptures are inspired of God. The readers of this book will definitely both experience and get a complete sense of the Old Testament Scriptures. It is strongly recommended reading.

In this first original English contribution to the series, Marcus Braybrooke, a former director of the Council of Christians and Jews, introduces Judaism to a Christian audience.