A Jewish Novel about Jesus

· JESUS, who was born, lived and died as a Jew; who drew on his Jewish tradition; who taught the love of man and God; and who saw himself as the Messiah.
· JUDAS, who believed in Jesus from start to finish; who became trapped in a political power-play; and who still believed desperately that he was helping Jesus bring the New Heaven and the New Earth into being.
· BARABBAS, head of the Zealots, who believed in violence against Rome.
· MARY MAGDALENE, a prostitute, who offered Judas her kind of love, while he offered her a different kind of love.
· CAIAPHAS, the High Priest, who was under total control of Pontius Pilate, the Roman procurator.
· RABBI GAMALIEL, head of the Sanhedrin, who would not deliver Jesus, or any innocent Jew, to death.
· PONTIUS PILATE, who saw Jesus as a threat to Rome, and schemed his death.

Rolf Gompertz, an observant, practicing Jew, who fled Nazi Germany with his parents, says: "I wanted to create understanding between Jews and Christians, so we may live together, side by side, respectful of one another, in dignity and peace."