A. James Rudin
A. James Rudin is an author at Religion News Service.
All Stories by A. James Rudin
Christian churches own up to the futility of converting the Jews
By A. James Rudin — September 27, 2019
(RNS) — Throughout history, church and political authorities have used horrendous physical, emotional and psychological pressures in fruitless conversion campaigns.
In Robert Alter’s majestic Bible translation, the achievement is in the details
By A. James Rudin — April 4, 2019
(RNS) — With an accurate, understandable translation that captures the unique sentence structure, style and syntax of the ancient language, Alter has set a new standard for biblical scholarship.
Releasing Vatican WWII archives removes an obstacle to Catholic-Jewish peace
By A. James Rudin — March 4, 2019
(RNS) — The long-simmering controversy over Pius XII's response to the Holocaust has the power to undo many of the extraordinary positive gains that have been achieved since 1965.
A grim anniversary for Dietrich Bonhoeffer marks what might have been
By A. James Rudin — January 18, 2019
(RNS) — Eighty years ago, the anti-Nazi activist Dietrich Bonhoeffer traveled back to Germany. Had he survived World War II, he might have become a global leader in fostering respect between Christians and Jews.
Top 10 Jewish stories of 2018
By A. James Rudin — December 27, 2018
(RNS) — The brutality of anti-Semitism in several forms dominated the top 10 news stories related to Jews and Judaism this year.
In quiet moments, George H.W. Bush showed that faith mattered
By A. James Rudin — December 1, 2018
At the dedication of the interreligious chapel at Camp David in the Spring of 1991, President George H.W. Bush spent a day with clergy and others showing his respect for the place of faith in the life of the country.
Billy Graham, an evangelistic ‘Lion in Winter’
By A. James Rudin — February 21, 2018
(RNS) — No one knows how history will ultimately treat Billy Graham. But I am certain we shall never see his like again.
The hatred in Charlottesville does not surprise me
By A. James Rudin — August 12, 2017
(RNS) — As a Jewish youngster growing up in Virginia, it was plain to see.
Does Trump’s presidency signal the end of the ‘American Century’?
By A. James Rudin — January 25, 2017
(RNS) A 1917 speech to Congress by President Woodrow Wilson that concluded with a quintessential religio-political reference is the seedbed from which 'American exceptionalism' and 'indispensability' sprang.
Is it time to banish Shylock from our literary canon? (COMMENTARY)
By A. James Rudin — March 30, 2016
(RNS) The 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death may be a time to reconsider this radioactive character.
Mazel tov to the first Spanish-born rabbi since 1492 (COMMENTARY)
By A. James Rudin — February 24, 2016
(RNS) Haim Casas grew up in a Catholic family in Cordoba but believes he descends from “converso” Jews who continued practicing Jewish rituals in secret.
Remembering a giant among theologians (COMMENTARY)
By A. James Rudin — January 25, 2016
(RNS) Eugene B. Borowitz was a prolific author and an extraordinary theologian who for nearly 60 years influenced both Jews and Christians.
How King’s dream of freedom from bondage tied him to the Jewish people (COMMENTARY)
By A. James Rudin — January 18, 2016
(RNS) King linked Jewish and African American history with a compelling common image of persecution.
My top 10 Jewish news stories of 2015 (COMMENTARY)
By A. James Rudin — December 21, 2015
(RNS) From escalating anti-Semitic attacks in Europe to modest gains for religious equality among Israel's Jewish women, here's a list of newsy Jewish developments in 2015.
Why Michele Bachmann’s push to convert Jews is so retro (COMMENTARY)
By A. James Rudin — November 27, 2015
(RNS) When she visited Israel earlier this month, Michele Bachmann urged Jews to convert to Christianity as soon as possible because the end times were near.
