Religious Studies Series Title Listing Home Christianity & Judaism: Jews as Jesus Was (Messianic Jews)
"Highly Recommended. Jews who believe that Jesus (in Hebrew, Y'shua) is the promised Messiah? Is this some meshuggana cult or what? This program takes a look at the phenomena of Jews living in Israel who really do believe that Jesus is the Messiah. Using the standard format of a narrator giving overall context with depictions of the believers, interviews with theologians/rabbis (both pro and con), and interviews with the believers, this production gives a rather balanced view of these people. They see themselves as the fulfillment of the promises in the Tenach or Old Testament and are obviously sincere in their beliefs. The program also shows some of the persecution they endure which has gone so far as attempts on their lives. Sound and picture quality are good. This can be an emotionally charged issue for many Jews and this is one of the most objective views in any medium that this reviewer has seen." -EMRO Review
This is a unique documentary that reports on Messianic Jews, an organized group of Jewish people who maintain their Jewish identity and worship style, but believe that Yeshua, Jesus of Nazareth, is the promised Messiah. In Israel there are approximately 5000 followers of Messianic Judaism, people with a desire to recreate the community of the Messiah's first disciples. Here we learn their story, as well as the opinions of Jacquot Grunewald, an Orthodox Rabbi, who is skeptical of their beliefs, and of Enzo Bianchi, a Catholic theologian, who is open to the question; each help fine-tune the issues. Produced by TSI, Inc. 08DR JSCA 52 min.

Islam: The Hajj (Saudi Arabia)
There are five Pillars of Islam, duties every Muslim is obliged to perform. Belief in God is first; then prayer, five times a day; fasting in the month of Ramadan; Zakat, or donations to the needy; and Hajj, the Fifth Pillar, a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca), Saudi Arabia, by all capable Muslims. In this documentary we travel to Islam's holiest mosque to witness not only the Hajj, a journey that begins on the 8th day of the month of Dhul Hijja (the month for Hajj in the Islamic calendar), but also we hear perspectives on the non-radical meaning of Islam from a variety of pilgrims from nations around the world, as well as Muslim leaders, such as, Khaled Al-Maeena, Editor-in-Chief, Arab News, Dr. Zamel Abu Zinada, Saudi Ministry of Information, and Dr. Ahmad Ibn Saifuddin, an Islamic Scholar. Produced by Journeyman Pictures, Inc. 08DR JSCA 30 min.

Islam - The History of Islam: The Story of Mohammed & The Spread of Islam
This two-part program offers a comprehensive and objective study of the history of Islam. Cineramic in its presentation, the program includes footage from three feature films: Mohammed, Lawrence of Arabia, and Indonesia. Produced by Wissen Auf Video. 07DR JSCA "Special Box-Set Savings" - 2 Parts in a 1-DVD Box Set! Also available on 2 DVDs, Videos or Digital Files.
Part 1: The Story of Mohammed
The conversion of Mohammed from a Meccan merchant to a prophet of Allah occurred during the month of Ramadan in 611, AD, of the Christian calendar; his "Hegira" (migration) to Medina in the Arabic year 1, eleven years later, marks the beginning of the Islamic era. His success as a tactician, politician and military leader cemented Islam as the major faith of the Arab world. 30 min.
Part 2: The Spread of Islam
After Mohammed's death in 632, AD, centuries of conflict with Christendom occurred. We learn of the success of the Umayyad dynasty, the fall of the Ottoman Empire, and the formation of Arabic nations after WW I; then we see Islam in the modern world, with nations rich with wealth from their oil reserves, as well as torn because of militant fundamentalists. 30 min.


Judaism: Beyond the Pulpit - Facets of a Rabbi
Gold Apple Award -NEMM Awards
"Recommended. This program aims and succeeds at revealing the human being hidden under a rabbi's robes, portraying Rabbi Kramer participating in numerous non-religious activities, some of which might surprise those who think rabbis do little else than pray and sermonize." -EMROReview
A compelling portrait of one of the most forward thinking theologians and scholars of our times, Rabbi William Kramer, it focuses its message on "humanness," and thus informs and inspires on many levels. Produced by Jennifer Freedman. 08DR/CL JSCA 50 min.

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