New book:  In God’s Presence: A Theological Reintroduction to Judaism by Alon Goshen-Gottstein (Baker Academic, 10/21/25

About the book:

In this landmark volume, noted Jewish scholar Alon Goshen-Gottstein offers a full-orbed treatment of the Jewish faith for today.

Goshen-Gottstein’s presentation explores the history and practice of Judaism and offers a framework in which this complex religious tradition makes sense to both the insider and the outsider. Painting a composite picture of Judaism from its beginnings until today, Goshen-Gottstein draws on history, literature, theology, spirituality, and practiced religious life to craft an overview in which these different parts are appreciated as pieces of a larger whole.

Beyond the canonical foundations of the Bible and the Talmud, Goshen-Gottstein incorporates mystical sources in presenting an image of spiritually engaged Jewish practice and belief. He thus argues that Judaism is best understood as a religious tradition that seeks to uphold not only a life lived in allegiance to God’s law but, more importantly, a life lived in God’s presence.

Written by a senior scholar well known in Jewish, Christian, and interreligious circles, In God’s Presence will appeal to Jewish and Christian academic readers, those interested in the intersection of Jewish and Christian thought, and students in introduction to Judaism courses.

Alon Goshen-Gottstein (PhD, Hebrew University of Jerusalem) is a scholar of Jewish studies and is acknowledged as one of the world’s leading figures in interreligious dialogue. He is the founder and director of the Elijah Interfaith Institute in Jerusalem. A noted scholar of Jewish studies, Rabbi Goshen-Gottstein was a member of faculty at Tel Aviv University and has served as director of the Center for the Study of Rabbinic Thought, Beit Morasha College, Jerusalem.