Called to Controversy:The Unlikely Story of Moishe Rosen and the Founding of Jews for Jesus

“Christians need to recognize that it takes courage to witness to someone who just might be offended, angry, or argumentative.” These words of Moishe Rosen in  “Appendix A”  of Called to Controversy: The Unlikely Story of Moishe Rosen and the Founding of Jews for Jesus gives great insight into Moishe Rosen’s methodology of sharing the gospel with the Jewish people. Called to Controversy is not only about the life of Moishe Rosen, but about the development of the ministry that God gifted to Moishe as his life’s work.  Throughout the book, one sees Moishe Rosen’s life inextricably linked with the Jews for Jesus organization.  The line between private life and the ministry was practically nonexistent; sharing the gospel was a way of life for Moishe Rosen, as it should be for any follower of Christ.

Called to Controversy is an excellent read for those who are interested in witnessing to friends in the Jewish community.  This and my association with friends, who have found renewed meaning and zeal in their Christian faith by learning more about the practices and traditions of God’s Chosen People, were the motivators in my choice of reading/reviewing Called to Controversy.  I was not disappointed.  Learning about Moishe Rosen’s background and the thinking behind Jewish identity, certainly provides insights into how to approach Jews with the gospel message.  More than this, I was unfamiliar with “Jews for Jesus” and was educated about the mission of this ministry and the courage of the early volunteers with “Jews for Jesus”.

Ruth Rosen has created a masterful biography of her father, often written with insights from others who knew him.  These generous revelations from those who knew Moishe Rosen personally and who could attest personally to the deep and abiding love that Moishe Rosen had for the Lord and his dedication to sharing the love of Yeshua with the Jewish people, give the reader a sense of who Moishe Rosen was.  Ms. Rosen has skillfully created a work that paints her father as a real person with both strengths and weaknesses.  This is increasing rare and refreshing in a world where public figures paint a facade of perfection only to later be discovered as less than what they presented themselves.  Throughout the book, Moishe Rosen’s own words (recorded at the beginning of each chapter and within the remembrances of his friends) convey his principles, his concerns, and his unwavering dedication to sharing the gospel.  It is appropriate and exciting to find two appendices at the end of the book written by Moishe Rosen himself.  Ruth Rosen must be given credit for writing in a style that makes the reader feel as though they know Moishe Rosen personally.  Following the biography with these two appendices enhances this sense of familiarity. If Ms. Rosen’s goal was to have readers understand her father as though they had an opportunity to converse personally with him, I believe she accomplished this goal.

Finally, I must express that Called to Controversy has inspired me to find out more about “Jews for Jesus” and the work being done within the Jewish community.  I have visited the “Jews for Jesus” website, looked up videos on youtube.com, and purchased Witnessing to Jews by Moishe and Ceil Rosen.  This book has revolutionized how I view the need for witnessing to the Jewish community.  Thank you to Ruth Rosen and Thomas Nelson Publishing for writing and publishing such a tribute, not to Moishe Rosen, but to the Lord Jesus whom he served.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.