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Rating: 
Summary: Good questions
Review: Carol Harris-Shapiro, a Reconstructionist rabbi, did a research project on Messianic Judaism by going inside and examining it. Her conclusions are interesting and the questions she raises makes one doubt whether we can continue to deny that Messianic Jews are Jews in full, espeically as she cites an Orthodox rabbi as saying that it was good if it led Jews to be more observant of the mitzvot. Good questions. However, her writing style doesn't always flow well.
Rating:
Summary: Good questions
Review: Carol Harris-Shapiro, a Reconstructionist rabbi, did a research project on Messianic Judaism by going inside and examining it. Her conclusions are interesting and the questions she raises makes one doubt whether we can continue to deny that Messianic Jews are Jews in full, espeically as she cites an Orthodox rabbi as saying that it was good if it led Jews to be more observant of the mitzvot. Good questions. However, her writing style doesn't always flow well.
Rating: 
Summary: a fascinating ethnography
Review: One of the first thing that Rabbi Harris-Shapiro (a Reconstructionist Rabbi) states in her book is that the book is more of an ethnography than a study of a particular religious group. Although as an ethnography it does dig into the movement - and rather deeply, too - it also takes a comparative standpoint and seeks to illuminate the reader about the similarities between Messianic and other popular forms of Judaism. The main question that she seeks to answer is, "What does Messianic Judaism say about mainstream Judaism?" On a deeper and more basic level is the question of Jewish identity, a la "What makes someone a Jew?" Harris-Shaprio does an excellent job detailing the history and main tenents of Messianic Judaism, as well as the experiences of several of its followers. The only complaint that i really have with this book is that the author doesn't seem to be able to decide whether or not her goal is to a) provide a sort of diary of her experiences while studying the group; or b) provide the reader with a factual, dissertation-like evaluation of the movement and its ramifications and implications for Judaism. The first half of the book seems to be more of the former, while the second half is more of the latter. It actually would have been nice if there had been some statistics in the book, such as the number of adherents, % male/female, and % jew/gentile. It also would have been interesting to know the # of converts to Messianic Judaism from one of mainstream Judaism's five branches (Hasidic, Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, or Reconstructionist). After reading the Preface, it seems that she is still following the "movement" (which actually appears to be rather diversified) and if this is true, I hope that Harris-Shapiro writes and releases more books on either the movement or facets of the movement in the future. This book is well thought out and will cause one to question both popular notions of identity (particularly the religious and cultural aspects of it), and the creation of religious movements, noting the no religious movement is really "pure" in its formation. Highly recommended, for both those interested the study of religion (especially from a comparative standpoint), as well as those interested in the psychological and sociological developments and aspects of a small group that is on the outside of the mainstream, yet desires to be accepted into and by it.
Rating: 
Summary: Insincere
Review: The author poses as an unbiased investigator, but her agenda is to debunk the Messianic movement. There is no reason to believe the one congregation she choses to study is representative of Jewish believers. She depicts Messianic Jews as clinging to their Jewishness illegitimately. An entertaining and somewhat suspenseful read nevertheless, as one anticipates the author's erroneous assumptions to soften in response to the gospel. Don't hold your breath.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting look at an "Apostate" gruop
Review: This is a well reseached book written by a Reconstructist Rabbi examining a messianic jewish group. I learned a lot about this movement, including not all messianic temples agree with each other, and of course, their evangelical roots. The Rabbi although clearly rejecting the group, makes good arguments at the end as to why this group should be accepted as "jewish" and a part of the Jewish Community. I don't know myself. While I am facinated at the possible blending of Christianity and Judaism, as a Jewish convert raised Epsicopal, I found the blending too odd - even ridiculous. Judaism doesn't need Christianity for it to be meaningful, holy or complete. Judaism is too self-examining to really fit in with Evangelical Christianity. Judaism is about Jews; Christianity is about Jesus, who also happens to be a Jew. That's a BIG difference! All today's Jewish rituals, they were not practiced the same way in Jesus' time (remember all those sacrifices in the Temple...). Today's Judaism is not Jesus'Judaism, which he rebelled against, not by a long shot.Of couse I am just a Christian Apostate (the worst kind according to NT!) so what do I know? As things are though, perhaps in another 100 years, various forms of Jewish-Christianity will be the Jewish community core and the other strictly Jewish sects the splinter groups (orthodox, conservative)? This is an important researched document that should be read by all Jews and Christians. Messianic jews aren't the "boogey man". Though prosetlyzing is quite annoying to say the least, messianic jews should have a role in our continuing Judeo-Christian dialogue and the jewish community should hopefully one day accept their "jewishness", even if as their ugly stepchild.
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