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Jerusalem Calls: Three Jewish Feasts and My Journey to Jesus
Tammy Priest grew up in love with her Jewish heritage and "I embraced it, dug into it, treasured it." Then one day, she met Jesus. At age twenty-one, she heard God's audible voice speaking impossible yet unmistakable Jesus is the Messiah. It was both thrilling and terrifying. What would it mean for the faith of her youth, the traditions she cherished, the family that might not understand?
In Jerusalem Calls, Tammy tells the remarkable story of how God drew her to himself. With passion, tenderness, and zeal, she brings to life the roots, rituals, and traditions of the three Old Testament pilgrimage feasts—the Feasts of Booths, Passover, and Pentecost—showing how each observance points to and finds its fulfillment in Jesus as Messiah.
More (though certainly not less) than an engaging true story of coming to faith in Jesus, Jerusalem Calls reveals new layers of meaning in the Old Testament feasts for both Christian and Jewish listeners.
In Jerusalem Calls, Tammy tells the remarkable story of how God drew her to himself. With passion, tenderness, and zeal, she brings to life the roots, rituals, and traditions of the three Old Testament pilgrimage feasts—the Feasts of Booths, Passover, and Pentecost—showing how each observance points to and finds its fulfillment in Jesus as Messiah.
More (though certainly not less) than an engaging true story of coming to faith in Jesus, Jerusalem Calls reveals new layers of meaning in the Old Testament feasts for both Christian and Jewish listeners.
238 pages, Paperback
Published August 4, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 22, 2026
Loved!! A beautiful book about how the three pilgrimage feasts all point to Jesus with Tammy’s personal faith story woven throughout. I learned so much!!
August 30, 2026
Wonderful book about a Jewish woman’s personal encounter with her Messiah
In her 234-page book, “Jerusalem Calls: Three Jewish Feasts and My Journey to Jesus,” Tammy Priest gives a beautiful and moving account of her Jewish heritage and upbringing, providing a unique window into her world as a 13-year-old girl – especially during one sojourn with family to Israel, which the Lord would later use to reveal Himself to her as her Messiah.
What started as a 14-day pilgrimage in Israel that hot summer, she details in the book, would result in a spiritual pilgrimage of her own, later seeing Jesus specifically in the Feast of Booths, Passover, and Pentecost, as well as throughout the entire Bible. Published by Baker Books, Priest’s book is an autobiography, journal, history book and novel, all rounded into one.
In chapter one, page 19-20, she writes, “With each day of our trip that summer, I understood more profoundly that I was not a tourist. I was a partaker. A partaker of the land and of the promises. I could see them, touch them, and smell them. I touched the limestone of Solomon’s Wall and wept with my grandmother at Rachel’s tomb… During those fourteen days of my thirteenth year, I had become completely, irreversibly tethered to the Promised Land.”
My own love for Israel started in seventh grade when our family lived next door to a beautiful Jewish family, which was long before I had my own personal encounter with Yeshua years later. While I may not share the same Jewish heritage Priest does, I had been wonderfully grafted in (Romans 11: 11-34) to this beautiful, Jewish blood line as a Gentile believer I have shared for nearly 45 years with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who had become my Messiah as well.
One misgiving I did have with this otherwise incredible book was in the acknowledgement section (page 205) where Priest makes reference to her friend Trish and the “awe and worship at the table of the Eucharist” that “has never left me.” This reference to a pagan ritual of the Catholic Church struck me as rather odd and not in line at all with the rest of the incredible tapestry of Priest’s book. I thought, “Why would she be endorsing the Eucharist?”
Despite that misstep, overall, Priest’s book is a poignant and powerful read, brimming with the history, background and experience of a Jewish woman who had personally encountered Yeshua. She no longer had to wait for Him to come. He had already been here since before the foundation of the world. He died on the cross for her sins and rose from the dead for her, as well as for the whole world.
All she had learned from her rich Jewish heritage had literally come to fruition – and to life. Truly, as Priest states at the end of each of her 12 chapters, Jerusalem calls… and still does.
I gave her book a 5 out of 5 stars.
Full disclosure: In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, I received a copy of this book free through Baker Books. My opinions are my own, and I wasn’t required to write a positive review.
© 2026 by Doug S., M.A.
In her 234-page book, “Jerusalem Calls: Three Jewish Feasts and My Journey to Jesus,” Tammy Priest gives a beautiful and moving account of her Jewish heritage and upbringing, providing a unique window into her world as a 13-year-old girl – especially during one sojourn with family to Israel, which the Lord would later use to reveal Himself to her as her Messiah.
What started as a 14-day pilgrimage in Israel that hot summer, she details in the book, would result in a spiritual pilgrimage of her own, later seeing Jesus specifically in the Feast of Booths, Passover, and Pentecost, as well as throughout the entire Bible. Published by Baker Books, Priest’s book is an autobiography, journal, history book and novel, all rounded into one.
In chapter one, page 19-20, she writes, “With each day of our trip that summer, I understood more profoundly that I was not a tourist. I was a partaker. A partaker of the land and of the promises. I could see them, touch them, and smell them. I touched the limestone of Solomon’s Wall and wept with my grandmother at Rachel’s tomb… During those fourteen days of my thirteenth year, I had become completely, irreversibly tethered to the Promised Land.”
My own love for Israel started in seventh grade when our family lived next door to a beautiful Jewish family, which was long before I had my own personal encounter with Yeshua years later. While I may not share the same Jewish heritage Priest does, I had been wonderfully grafted in (Romans 11: 11-34) to this beautiful, Jewish blood line as a Gentile believer I have shared for nearly 45 years with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who had become my Messiah as well.
One misgiving I did have with this otherwise incredible book was in the acknowledgement section (page 205) where Priest makes reference to her friend Trish and the “awe and worship at the table of the Eucharist” that “has never left me.” This reference to a pagan ritual of the Catholic Church struck me as rather odd and not in line at all with the rest of the incredible tapestry of Priest’s book. I thought, “Why would she be endorsing the Eucharist?”
Despite that misstep, overall, Priest’s book is a poignant and powerful read, brimming with the history, background and experience of a Jewish woman who had personally encountered Yeshua. She no longer had to wait for Him to come. He had already been here since before the foundation of the world. He died on the cross for her sins and rose from the dead for her, as well as for the whole world.
All she had learned from her rich Jewish heritage had literally come to fruition – and to life. Truly, as Priest states at the end of each of her 12 chapters, Jerusalem calls… and still does.
I gave her book a 5 out of 5 stars.
Full disclosure: In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, I received a copy of this book free through Baker Books. My opinions are my own, and I wasn’t required to write a positive review.
© 2026 by Doug S., M.A.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
While I had never heard of Tammy Priest before, I was drawn to Jerusalem Calls: Three Jewish Feasts and My Journey to Jesus because it offers a rare perspective: a Jewish author who comes to know that Jesus is the Messiah while remaining deeply rooted in her Jewish heritage. Priest writes with clarity, warmth, and authenticity, taking readers through her personal journey of faith and discovery.
The book is structured around three major Jewish feasts, and for each one, the author explains the biblical foundation, the historical and cultural traditions, and how Jews celebrate them today. What makes the book stand out is that Priest doesn’t just share history—she shares lived experience. She invites readers into her celebrations, explaining what the feasts mean to her as a Jew who believes in Jesus, while also offering insight into how Christians can respectfully understand and participate where appropriate.
A key strength of the book is its balance between tradition and Scripture. Priest explains the significance of the feasts according to the Bible, but she also honours the rich traditions that have been passed down through generations. She thoughtfully addresses how Christians might engage with Jewish practices without misunderstanding or misrepresenting them, emphasizing the importance of being a testimony that honors both faiths. Her advice resonates: “Do not think about the things that will help you. Instead, each of you should think about what will help other people” (1 Corinthians 10:24). This perspective runs throughout the book, making it as much a guide for thoughtful interfaith understanding as a personal memoir.
Jerusalem Calls is accessible without being shallow. It is easy to read, yet packed with historical, spiritual, and practical insights that inform and challenge. Christians will gain a deeper understanding of the Jewish roots of their faith, while Jewish readers may appreciate Priest’s perspective as she navigates identity, tradition, and belief in Jesus in a way that is respectful and sincere. The book fosters empathy, understanding, and dialogue between faith communities, showing that it is possible to honour one’s heritage while embracing new insights in faith.
Overall, this is a book for anyone interested in the intersection of Jewish tradition and Christian faith. It encourages readers to learn, reflect, and grow in their understanding of both. It is informative but never dry, personal yet universally relevant—a rare and valuable contribution to interfaith literature.
The book is structured around three major Jewish feasts, and for each one, the author explains the biblical foundation, the historical and cultural traditions, and how Jews celebrate them today. What makes the book stand out is that Priest doesn’t just share history—she shares lived experience. She invites readers into her celebrations, explaining what the feasts mean to her as a Jew who believes in Jesus, while also offering insight into how Christians can respectfully understand and participate where appropriate.
A key strength of the book is its balance between tradition and Scripture. Priest explains the significance of the feasts according to the Bible, but she also honours the rich traditions that have been passed down through generations. She thoughtfully addresses how Christians might engage with Jewish practices without misunderstanding or misrepresenting them, emphasizing the importance of being a testimony that honors both faiths. Her advice resonates: “Do not think about the things that will help you. Instead, each of you should think about what will help other people” (1 Corinthians 10:24). This perspective runs throughout the book, making it as much a guide for thoughtful interfaith understanding as a personal memoir.
Jerusalem Calls is accessible without being shallow. It is easy to read, yet packed with historical, spiritual, and practical insights that inform and challenge. Christians will gain a deeper understanding of the Jewish roots of their faith, while Jewish readers may appreciate Priest’s perspective as she navigates identity, tradition, and belief in Jesus in a way that is respectful and sincere. The book fosters empathy, understanding, and dialogue between faith communities, showing that it is possible to honour one’s heritage while embracing new insights in faith.
Overall, this is a book for anyone interested in the intersection of Jewish tradition and Christian faith. It encourages readers to learn, reflect, and grow in their understanding of both. It is informative but never dry, personal yet universally relevant—a rare and valuable contribution to interfaith literature.
September 5, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5)
Through the three Jewish pilgrimage feasts—Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot—a Jewish believer shares her journey to recognizing Jesus as Messiah. Weaving personal testimony with Scripture, history, and Jewish tradition, she traces the symbolism embedded within each celebration and reveals how these ancient practices illuminate the gospel and point toward God’s redemptive plan in Christ.
An awe-inspiring telling of how Tammy came to experience the truth of Jesus as Messiah within the very Jewish traditions she had known her whole life. I loved seeing familiar Scripture through Jewish eyes and discovering just how intentionally these feasts point toward Christ.
It was especially beautiful to see Tammy fully living in Christ as her Messiah while still treasuring the traditions of her ancestors- not leaving her Jewish heritage behind, but finding that its beauty only deepened her connection to Jesus. Through these connections, it’s so evident that God wasn’t asking the Israelites to practice rituals simply for ritual’s sake; His plan was always pointing forward to Christ.
And as Tammy concludes by sharing some of her final words with her grandmother, who sadly couldn’t see that connection, I was reminded how easily we can be blind to the truth all around us: Jesus is Lord. Lord, continue to open our eyes to Jerusalem’s call.
Thank you @bakerpublishinggroup for the book!
Perfect for you if you like:
Jewish roots of the Christian faith
Biblical history + historical context
Memoirs that deepen your understanding of the Gospel
Similar:
Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus by Ann Spangler & Lois Tverberg
Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes by Kenneth E. Bailey
Through the three Jewish pilgrimage feasts—Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot—a Jewish believer shares her journey to recognizing Jesus as Messiah. Weaving personal testimony with Scripture, history, and Jewish tradition, she traces the symbolism embedded within each celebration and reveals how these ancient practices illuminate the gospel and point toward God’s redemptive plan in Christ.
An awe-inspiring telling of how Tammy came to experience the truth of Jesus as Messiah within the very Jewish traditions she had known her whole life. I loved seeing familiar Scripture through Jewish eyes and discovering just how intentionally these feasts point toward Christ.
It was especially beautiful to see Tammy fully living in Christ as her Messiah while still treasuring the traditions of her ancestors- not leaving her Jewish heritage behind, but finding that its beauty only deepened her connection to Jesus. Through these connections, it’s so evident that God wasn’t asking the Israelites to practice rituals simply for ritual’s sake; His plan was always pointing forward to Christ.
And as Tammy concludes by sharing some of her final words with her grandmother, who sadly couldn’t see that connection, I was reminded how easily we can be blind to the truth all around us: Jesus is Lord. Lord, continue to open our eyes to Jerusalem’s call.
Thank you @bakerpublishinggroup for the book!
Perfect for you if you like:
Jewish roots of the Christian faith
Biblical history + historical context
Memoirs that deepen your understanding of the Gospel
Similar:
Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus by Ann Spangler & Lois Tverberg
Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes by Kenneth E. Bailey
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Not only are readers treated to a deeper understanding of the world that Jesus inhabited as a Jewish man, we also get to hear an amazing testimony along the way in Jerusalem Calls. Providing visual imagery through detailed descriptions, it doesn't take much to experience the sights, scents, and wonders of the Holy Land as shared by Tammy Priest. Her recounting of personal memories along with explanations of biblical settings and practices makes reading this book a true delight, akin to sitting at the feet of a storyteller. If anything, I could have sat longer to enjoy even more stunning accounts of what the Jewish feasts not only symbolized, but how they were enjoyed and celebrated as holidays and holy days.
I love books that open my eyes to additional context and meaning in the Bible, and this one delivers just that. Christians wanting to better immerse themselves in this ancient world will appreciate what everything from palm fronds to tents to bread stood for and how they were used. The author’s Jewish heritage offers a glimpse into how traditions have been passed on and what each generation has learnt since the time they were first instituted. If you are keen to discover how the Jewish feasts can broaden your knowledge of the Old and New Testaments, this book is a blessing that will spiritually catapult you into deeper gratitude for God's atoning sacrifice while growing your love for the Jewish people and Jewish Messiah.
Review link: https://christianshelves.blogspot.com...
Many thanks to Baker Books for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
I love books that open my eyes to additional context and meaning in the Bible, and this one delivers just that. Christians wanting to better immerse themselves in this ancient world will appreciate what everything from palm fronds to tents to bread stood for and how they were used. The author’s Jewish heritage offers a glimpse into how traditions have been passed on and what each generation has learnt since the time they were first instituted. If you are keen to discover how the Jewish feasts can broaden your knowledge of the Old and New Testaments, this book is a blessing that will spiritually catapult you into deeper gratitude for God's atoning sacrifice while growing your love for the Jewish people and Jewish Messiah.
Review link: https://christianshelves.blogspot.com...
Many thanks to Baker Books for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
August 17, 2026
𝐉𝐞𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐦 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 is a memoir by Tammy Priest, where she shares her journey to Jesus. She writes with honesty and warmth about her Jewish heritage and her belief that Jesus is the Messiah.
The book emphasizes three Jewish feasts—The Feast of Booths, Passover, and Pentecost—and shows how they connect to Jewish tradition and Christian faith. I appreciate the warm, personal tone as the author shares her life, discoveries, and encouragement for Christians to explore Jewish traditions.
Overall, this is a meaningful and approachable book. It helped me better understand Jewish roots of Christian faith and I have a deeper appreciation for the traditions that shape Jewish and Christian belief.
First Line: I turned thirteen on Friday the thirteenth.
Genre: Memoir, non-fiction
Author: Tammy Priest
Page Count: 234
#CoverLoverBookReview received a review copy of this book. Opinions are my own.
The book emphasizes three Jewish feasts—The Feast of Booths, Passover, and Pentecost—and shows how they connect to Jewish tradition and Christian faith. I appreciate the warm, personal tone as the author shares her life, discoveries, and encouragement for Christians to explore Jewish traditions.
Overall, this is a meaningful and approachable book. It helped me better understand Jewish roots of Christian faith and I have a deeper appreciation for the traditions that shape Jewish and Christian belief.
First Line: I turned thirteen on Friday the thirteenth.
Genre: Memoir, non-fiction
Author: Tammy Priest
Page Count: 234
#CoverLoverBookReview received a review copy of this book. Opinions are my own.
August 31, 2026
This book was so interesting and made me want to visit Israel myself. I loved how the author gave detailed descriptions of how the Jewish feasts were celebrated in both ancient and modern Jewish culture. It made me realize how much more embodied worship is in the Jewish culture. The thing I loved the most about this book was how the author described each of the three Jewish feasts in light of Jesus. The author pondered on Jesus’ reaction to celebrating the feasts that were foreshadowing His own death and ministry of redemption. My favorite section of the book was chapter 8, Redemption’s Table, which describes the Passover feast and how it was all pointing to Jesus.
Overall, I enjoyed reading Jerusalem Calls, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about the Jewish pilgrimage feasts and how they foreshadowed Jesus as Messiah.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Overall, I enjoyed reading Jerusalem Calls, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about the Jewish pilgrimage feasts and how they foreshadowed Jesus as Messiah.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
September 1, 2026
🌟Book Review🌟
📗 Jerusalem Calls by Tammy Priest 📗
📖 In her memoir, Tammy Priest tells of her Jewish heritage of attending synagogue, celebrating the Jewish feasts, and traveling to Jerusalem with her family. Everything changed for Tammy when she visited a friend's church and the Lord spoke to her that Jesus is Messiah. She began reading the gospel of John for the first time.
💭 Tammy Priest paints a vivid picture of the three Jewish feasts. She furnished details, smells, and tastes that made it all come alive. Learning about where and when God established them and how they were celebrated is fascinating. I learned so many interesting details that I've skimmed over in my Bible reading that I never really understood.
⭐ I received a copy of this book from the publisher. My review reflects my honest opinion.
#readbakerbooks
#nonfiction
#memoir
#bookreviews
📗 Jerusalem Calls by Tammy Priest 📗
📖 In her memoir, Tammy Priest tells of her Jewish heritage of attending synagogue, celebrating the Jewish feasts, and traveling to Jerusalem with her family. Everything changed for Tammy when she visited a friend's church and the Lord spoke to her that Jesus is Messiah. She began reading the gospel of John for the first time.
💭 Tammy Priest paints a vivid picture of the three Jewish feasts. She furnished details, smells, and tastes that made it all come alive. Learning about where and when God established them and how they were celebrated is fascinating. I learned so many interesting details that I've skimmed over in my Bible reading that I never really understood.
⭐ I received a copy of this book from the publisher. My review reflects my honest opinion.
#readbakerbooks
#nonfiction
#memoir
#bookreviews
August 31, 2026
Format: Physical book
Tammy Priest transports us to see the world through her eyes. I loved her story. I loved how she shared her story through different stages of her life as well. A beautiful story!!
Tammy Priest transports us to see the world through her eyes. I loved her story. I loved how she shared her story through different stages of her life as well. A beautiful story!!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews