In this video I found, Shalom Goldman discusses the book I am reading: Jewish-Christian Difference and Modern Jewish Identity. His discussion brought to light key ideas that I had not yet considered. He discusses the importance of geography. The seven stories I am in the process of reading take place in Italy, France , Russia, Israel, and the United States. Goldman discusses this shift from central Europe, expanding outward. He also discusses the linkage between these people and how their stories take place in multiple locations and how they have connections to these places. Goldman also discusses how for centuries Judaism and Christianity were antagonists to each other and how there was a shift in the 20th century. The borders shifted and became more malleable, showing there is less difference. The book surrounds this. Goldman describes the book as journalism by an academic. Think historical fiction or a documentary drama. A trend he mentions that I have already noticed is how these individuals are seeking greater religious understanding and a religion that they feel most comfortable residing within. These individuals within the book also found compatibility between the religions in some cases, and did not fully reject the former religion. Listening to Goldman discuss his intention was very informative. Especially his discussion of the change in dynamic between Christians and Jews and how the Catholic Church reevaluated its relationship with other religions in the 1960s. This is something I might look into more. Goldman also notes on how when defining who a Christian is it is easy, but it is becoming more difficult to define who a Jew is. He asks : Is a Jew someone who’s from Israel? Is a Jew someone who’s mother is a Jew? Or father is a Jew? Is a Jew who becomes a Christian or a Muslim or Buddhist still a Jew? The question about Jewish identity in his opinion becomes more complicated and interesting because of Israel. Some of these questions are overtly discussed within the book.