Ben Israel; The Odyssey of a Modern Jew,

Raw, beautifully ruminant and observational account of one intellectual Jew's search to find truth. This book has some adult content since it is essentially a series of journal entries from a tumultuous time in Art's life. A must read for the intellectual elite, the modern Jew, and those struggling to find truth. Not for children.

In an untouched, diary format, Katz describes his mindset and world view as it slowly develops over time revealing every embarassing shortcoming as he desribes his journey from an aetheistic, anti-Christian, Jew to the born-again Christian that he is today. One is struck by how selfish and self-absorbed he was until he received the promptings which led him to a greater understanding of himself and ultimately about the nature of a loving God. This is a great source of encouragement not only for Jews who have converted or who are contemplating doing so but also for anyone who has fallen on hard times self-inflicted or otherwise. This man's testimony shows that there is always hope and that no one is a "lost cause". All you need is faith in yourself and in God. One of the better autobiographies I've read in a while.

Is there such as a Jewish Christian? Yes, indeed. And this also I wondered, before reading Arthur Katz's testimonial book. It doesn't really matter so much that he be a Jew, although only from a cultural perspective, but that he represents the true seeker. The genuine evolution in the author's narrative tone through the book, his psychological portrait, his humanity, his inner live, are presented to us in the way of short daily annotations. This is not fiction, it is real. And we are given a wonderful window into the heart and soul of a man. But, of course, in the end it all comes up to you, the reader, to decide how to take his story. If you are another seeker, an honest one -regardless of your cultural background-, I strongly recommend this book. If you are already a sincere Christian, this will surely identify with your own search, sometime along the path of your live. As it did to me. And for the curious, those who lead complacent, sedative or self-deluding lives, it is also a great read, a travel book where you are sure to find some character that you may have found along the way in your own trips in Europe or Israel. Enjoy it whoever you are.

I highly recommend the reading of this book for both religious and non-religious people alike. It is thought provoking, entertaining, and probably for some, life changing. It honestly is one of those books that years from now, when you are sitting around with your friends talking about memorable books and movies, you will think of with great fondness.

I have given away more copies of this book than any other. It is an engrossing first-person account of one man's struggle and journey to faith. Art hides no thoughts and hides no flaws - he explores and exposes his sins and failings as he gropes through the meaninglessness of the relativistic and atheistic modern world he once revelled in and helped promote to the culmination of his search in an encounter with the Living God of Israel - in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. Whether you are a Jew or a Gentile, a believer or a non-believer, you will be challenged and stirred by this book. It is to be republished soon, possibly under the name APPREHENDED BY GOD.