"Persecution, Polemic, and Dialogue" follows the interaction between Jews and Christians through the ages in all its richness, complexity, and diversity. This collection of essays analyze anti-Semitism, perceptions of the Other, and religious debates in the Middle Ages and proceed to consider modern and contemporary interactions, which are marked by both striking continuity and profound difference. These include controversies among historians, the promise and challenge of interfaith dialogue, and the explosive exchanges surrounding Mel Gibson's film on the passion. This volume will engage scholars, students, and any reader intrigued by one of the longest and most fraught intergroup relationships in history.

"“This volume is a thought-provoking collection of research published by the eminent historian David Berger on historical and contemporary aspects of Jewish-Christian encounters, spanning a long and distinguished academic career (1956-2007), during which the field of medieval Jewish Studies has changed dramatically. . . . Despite the remarkable changes in the field of the study of Jewish-Christian relations in recent decades, Berger’s essays have aged well. There is much in this book that is challenging and stimulating, much of it is still topical and relevant and the book is permeated by a strong sense of intellectual fairness and balance. The historian’s passion for his subject is felt on every page.”" - Journal of Modern Jewish Studies, vol. 12, issue 3 (December 2013)