Stress Test: The Israel-Hamas War and Christian-Jewish Relations

by Carol Rittner, John Roth

The brutality on both sides—Hamas’s terrorist attack and Israel’s retaliatory actions—has sparked fierce debate in the United States and across the world. Can one support Israel’s right to self-defense while also advocating for the rights of the Palestinian people? As many hesitate to discuss the conflict for fear of saying the wrong thing, Stress Test’s renowned editors and contributors boldly enter the conversation, offering a nuanced, informed, and necessary dialogue for this fraught historical moment.

Twelve world-renowned American Christian scholars and teachers explore this ongoing conflict's deep strain on Christian-Jewish dialogue. This profound collection addresses the urgent questions and challenges facing those committed to advancing interfaith relationships amid a polarizing and violent global crisis.
Readers will the Israel-Hamas War acts as a “stress test” for Christian-Jewish relations and interreligious dialogue.Insightful reflections on the reshaping of Christian perspectives on Zionism in light of the current conflict.The ethical dilemmas surrounding the humanitarian crises in both Gaza and Israel.Critical strategies for Christians and Jews to engage in challenging, essential conversations and build stronger, more resilient relationships amid global turmoil.Engage with the challenging questions and honest reflections presented in this volume, and gain the tools needed for productive, informed conversations about one of the most significant conflicts of our time. Stress Test offers a crucial guide for anyone seeking to understand the ethical, theological, and political implications of the Israel-Hamas war on
Christian-Jewish relations.

Join the ongoing dialogue shaping the future of interfaith relations.

367 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 20, 2025

About the author

Carol Rittner is an American nun and Holocaust historian. She is a Distinguished Emerita Professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies and Dr. Marsha Raticoff Grossman Professor of Holocaust Studies at Stockton University.