Ben Israel: The Spiritual Odyssey of a Modern Man

by Arthur Katz

Raised in Brooklyn, New York, through the depression years and coming to adolescence during the turbulence of World War II, Art Katz, in his quest for the meaning of life, began a journey toward Truth that climaxed significantly and symbolically in Jerusalem.

Through the diversity of Marxist, pragmatist, and existential ideologies and philosophies, as well as merchant marine and military experiences, Art was brought to a final moral crisis as a teacher, able to raise, but not answer the groaning perplexities of the modern age and his own heart.

During a leave of absence, on a hitch-hiking odyssey through North Africa, Western Europe and the Middle East, the cynical and unbelieving atheist - vehement anti-religionist and anti-Christian - was radically apprehended by a God whom he was not seeking. The actual journal, Ben Israel - Odyssey of a modern Jew, recounts the breaking into consciousness and ultimate apprehension of an unsuspecting and resistant 'son of Israel.'

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, Memoir, Jewish, Christian

184 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 2000

About the author

Art Katz was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1929 of Jewish parents. Raised through the depression years and turbulence of World War II, and inducted into Marxist and existentialist ideologies, as well as merchant marine and military experiences, Art was brought to a final moral crisis as a high school teacher—able to raise, but not able to answer the groaning perplexities of the modern age.

During a leave of absence and on a hitch-hiking odyssey through Europe and the Middle East, the cynical and unbelieving atheist, vehement anti-religionist and anti-Christian was radically apprehended by a God who was actively seeking him. The actual journal of that experience, Ben Israel – Odyssey of a Modern Jew, recounts his quest for the true meaning to life, which climaxed significantly and symbolically in Jerusalem. For More Visit the official Website: About Art Katz

Arthur Katz also published under the name Art Katz
and Aaron Katz (disambiguated as Aaron^^Katz)

Reviews

[Bob Mendelsohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having met Art in 1973, his story was always of interest to me. His foot washing conversion story is dramatic and real. I loved this man.

[Will Lester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such great insight following Art’s journey to Israel with simultaneous tumultuous inner journey to messianic Believer. Pretty much a “Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus” for the secularized Jewish intellectual in the 1960’s. Heart churning and warming. Great read!

[Brent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arthur Katz was a visionary - his legacy is faithfully being filled out by those who were blessed enough to live under his discipleship. Even still, who was this strange Jewish-Christian? Whence did he come from, and whither did he travel?

In his autobiographical account of his life and conversion to Christianity, Katz details some poignant and vivid memories, utilizing his memory, travel experiences, and journal entries, he recounts his sojourn to Europe, Africa, and the Middle-East, and ultimately, to Israel. He describes in heart-wrenching detail, his relationships with the ones he loved most, and why he had to leave them behind. Even still, there is a message of underlying hope throughout the account, which is even practically displayed via the conversion of some of his close constituents.

I have not cried more, through an autobiography, than while reading Katz's narrative account in Ben Israel. This is a must read.

Brent McCulley (10/30/2013)

[Velvetink · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read it. Brought home to read again.

[Caleb Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

To preface, over the past year and a half I have been on an incredible journey of studying scripture and seeing God’s love for Israel. God is faithful to his covenant with Israel, which is the driving force of history; it’s why Jesus came, and why he will come again. Naturally, my search led me to Art Katz. This book… it is raw, real, authentic, captivating, and heart shattering. Never before have I read a book and felt and thought the same things as the author. To see the tremendous and miraculous work that God did in Art’s life, and subsequently how he used him thereafter, is impossible without God. The final conclusion I’ve come to is ever deeper understanding that Jesus is the Messiah.

“This knowing God is Spirit and Truth: not turning Jews away from their heritage but more fully and deeply to experience it. Jewish believers have not deserted their faith. They have come more truly to the heart and depth of it. Having come to the fulfillment of their biblical faith, they are now all the more authentically Jews— true Jews fulfilled in their Messiah”

[Erin Powe · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting read - the journal entries that show a man's journey from agnostic to Christian during his travels around Europe. God worked in his life in miraculous ways.

[Andy Hickman · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Ben Israel: Odyssey of a Modern Jew”

Honest and exposing autobiography.

Significant was his internal tension about liking this Jesus character of the Gospels who shows tremendous empathy and mercy to the underdog but knowing that the woman caught in adultery must be subject to the law.

Fascinating description of angst and transition.

[Skylar · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wow, what a douche. This book was awful to read. And if you don't know already, it's a Christian book, not a Jewish one (as I thought when I picked it up, which I imagine is intentional on the part of the author and publisher). The writing was pretty skillful and poetic, I have to admit, but the content was arrogant, self-absorbed, and often included blatantly cruel treatment of the (many) women in his life. Only interesting thing to me was the surprise at such a licentious memoir from a regular-Joe in the early 60s. Getting a woman knocked up out of wedlock and then being angry and put-out that people shut down in awkwardness when you casually mention it at dinner? And then to take that (perfectly normal even today) behavior and say that this means Judaism is empty and worthless is silly and blatantly dumb. This is exactly the kind of memoir that friends and family hope never gets written because no one comes out looking good except the strangers met on the road. Especially since this is apparently intended to convert people (especially Jews) to Christianity, I don't know why the publishers thought this would entice anyone. This author is so unlikeable and his arguments so petulant and self-absorbed. As a non-Christian, everything about this book put me off from Christianity rather than making it look good.

[JoséMaría BlancoWhite · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 author gives his testimony of his conversion from a beligerant anti-Christian to a Christian believer while never leaving his Jewish faith.

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 in which you are sure to find some character that you may have met along the way in your own trips in Europe or Israel.

[Stefan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This raw but genuine journal of a young man searching for depth, the point of life, and the meaning of existence was a book that touched by heart, and inspired me in a way that no other book has. Kratz details his journey of living for and of the world but also finding that his lifestyle would, ultimately be his destruction. The soul-searching letters between him and his friend Saul were both emotionally moving and spiritually encouraging. I also found the portions of the book in which Kratz wrote about his Jewish heritage and how that shaped who he was, to be a insightful eye opener into the mind of a Jew who struggled with the moral questions posed by the Holocaust while traveling through Europe in the nineteen sixties. The ultimate transformation from a radical Marxist to a balanced, strong Christian who married someone he could not have married without the strength of God, was amazing and incredible. I recommend this book to anyone who has kept their deepest fears, lack of meaning, and doubts hidden in the dark closets of their brain, and who now wants to truly face who they are.

[Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seeing myself in so many ways in this book, made it and the author a touchstone and favourite. Not a typical autobiography as it is a diary written as life happened including the transformation from a secular humanistic agnostic/atheist to a born again Christian. My life does not contain the degree of education or literary sophistication yet I spent time in Europe with many similar experiences with a diverse group of people including a wonderful encounter with a Swiss gentleman his was a seed to the revelation of Messiah mine was a sweet sharing of kindness without the ability to speak the same language.
If you are looking for a read to describe the secular Jewish experience with Christians and with the confrontation dealing with the Spirit of God onto Salvation in such a man, this is an excellent choice.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

The search for meaning and purpose penned by a preeminently successful Jewish man who through a sharp separation from his wife is left to face the glaring void that his success has ultimately wrought. He unwittingly records God's pursuit of him throughout his vagabond trampings through Europe, North Africa, and ending with the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob apprehending him among his people in Israel.

It was beautiful to see his footing move from the shifting sands of mans understanding to land firmly on the Rock of Ages. With that stability he was able to build on the foundation that Jesus and the apostles and prophets laid before us and whose life is a testament of God's faithfulness to his covenant with his people.

[Eli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved traveling Europe and the Middle East with Art, and hearing his reflections on life. This is an indispensable book if you want to understand Arthur Katz. However, his conversion experience was like Augustine's: below the standard of the New Testament. I have no doubt Art was a Christian, but like many Christians he began his journey with the Lord on a stilted note, only later to realize the great gospel message of the New Testament. So don't expect a clear gospel presentation in this book, but rather a powerful exploration of the meaning of life and how a Jew came to believe in Jesus as the Messiah.

[Bob Helm · Rating 3 out of 5]

An honest journal of a man's journey to find truth, something, anything, about life and our existence here on Earth. It seemed to click relatively quickly for him, but the key was an open mind.

[S. Paterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best.