Recommended Reading

THE 7 DEADLY MYTHS: ANTISEMITISM FROM THE TIME OF CHRIST TO KANYE WEST, by Alex Ryvchin (second edition; revised and supplemented; Boston: Academic Studies Press, 2023)

A 2023 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Finalist in the Religion category.

“With clarity and penetrating insight, Alex Ryvchin unravels the mystery of antisemitism… Mandatory reading for anyone concerned with the ethical fate of the human race.” — Isaac Herzog, President of the State of Israel

The 7 Deadly Myths traces antisemitism from its earliest origins to the present day and uncovers the dangerous conspiracy theories that have corrupted reasoning and led people and nations to diabolical acts. Exploring some of the most significant events in history and uncovering little-known villains, this book answers the questions of how antisemitism takes hold, how it is transmitted and how it inspires violence to the present day. Written in a clear and compelling style, this book is essential to understanding why this ancient hatred continues to plague society, inspiring pop stars, athletes and demagogues alike. It is a crucial resource for policy makers, students and the reading public seeking to understand racism and how it can be stopped.

BEYOND SURVIVAL: A HOLOCAUST MEMOIR by Kenneth Arkwright OAM, published by Hybrid Publishers

Ken Arkwright’s life story as a Holocaust survivor was first published in Germany. At 90 years of age, Ken felt an urgency to tell his story, otherwise his unique life experiences and the life stories of some of the people he met and who perished in the Holocaust would die with him. Ken writes with clarity, great detail and a lack of bitterness about the progress of his life through the Great Depresssion, the rise of the Nazis, and the Second World War. Ken resides in Perth, Western Australia with his wife, Judith.

BEYOND SURVIVAL: A HOLOCAUST MEMOIR by Kenneth Arkwright OAM, published by Hybrid Publishers

Ken Arkwright’s life story as a Holocaust survivor was first published in Germany. At 90 years of age, Ken felt an urgency to tell his story, otherwise his unique life experiences and the life stories of some of the people he met and who perished in the Holocaust would die with him. Ken writes with clarity, great detail and a lack of bitterness about the progress of his life through the Great Depresssion, the rise of the Nazis, and the Second World War. Ken resides in Perth, Western Australia with his wife, Judith.

THE DIGNITY OF DIFFERENCE: HOW TO AVOID THE CLASH OF CIVILIZATIONS by Jonathan Sacks, published by Continuum

Read the report in CCJWA’s 2006 NEWSLETTER.

A HANDBOOK OF JEWISH THOUGHT (VOLUMES 1 AND 2) by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan, published by Maznaim Publishing Co.

Aryeh Kaplan was not only a prolific translator and innovative kabbalist but a nuclear physicist as well.

BLOOD BROTHERS, by Elias Chacour, published by Chosen Books, a division of Baker Book House Company (Foreword by James A Baker III, former US Secretary of State)

“In Blood Brothers, Chacour blends his riveting life story with historical research to reveal a little-known side of the Arab-Israeli conflict and the birth of modern Israel. He touches on controversial questions such as:

  • What behind-the-scenes politics touched off the turmoil in the Middle East?
  • What does Bible prophecy really have to say?
  • Can bitter enemies ever be reconciled?

In a world of tension and terror, this book offers hope and insight that can help each of us learn to live at peace.

JUDAISM AND CHRISTIANITY, Essays by Leo Baeck, published by Harper and Row

This book explores the difference between Judaism and Christianity, and highlights the incorporation of Jewish thought in the New Testament and the way it is interpreted.

LOVING THE TORAH MORE THAN GOD? Toward a Catholic Appreciation of Judaism by Frans Jozef van Beeck, published by London University (Foreword by Eugene B Borowitz)

“[This book] reminded me of an address I gave in Chicago…to the 1966 convention of the Religious Education Association. I was invited to speak as part of a three-faith plenary session on the general theme of the ecumenical spirit. What I said was that we would not truly exemplify it until we had gone beyond good will and deeper understanding to the point where we could argue our differences with love… It has been a long wait to see if that hope could be fulfilled on either side. In this book it has.”
(Excerpt from the Foreword by Eugene B Borowitz, Hebrew Union College, Jewish Institute of Religion.)

THE ESSENCE OF JUDAISM by Leo Baeck, published by Harper and Row

This book was written by outstanding Rabbi and Philosopher, Leo Baeck, who was the leader of the German Jews during the Holocaust years.

PHILOSOPHIES OF JUDAISM (HISTORY OF JEWISH PHILOSOPHY FROM BIBLICAL TIMES TO FRANZ ROSENZWEIG) by Juliius Guttmann, published by Schocken Books

This book portrays the interaction of Jewish and secular philosophy.

THE BOOK OF OUR HERITAGE: THE JEWISH YEAR AND ITS DAYS OF SIGNIFICANCE by Eliyahu Kitov, published by Feldheim Publishers

This work gives a practical overview of Jewish observance in the yearly cycle.

THE VISION OF THE PRIESTLY NARRATIVE: ITS GENRE AND HERMENEUTICS OF TIME (Ancient Israel and its Literature 27) by  Revd  Dr  Suzanne  Boorer,  published by SBL Press 2016