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Christianity should be considered a branch from the ancient Judaism. When I was in a synagogue for the first time, it was so uplifting and meaningful to me. I felt like I was going back to the beginning of times, when Jesus' disciples were gathering and probably praying in Hebrew. All of them, including Jesus, were Jews. Actually, Jesus was the first one to say He would not change a "j" in the Moses law. I don't believe Jesus wanted to start another religion, but bring a new approach to the Judaism, which was more focused in strict rituals than in the spirituality and love.

Every weekend both Jews and Christians bless the bread and the wine, and share them with other congregants. If either on Fridays or Sundays, the tradition is basically the same, since the goal is bring a sensation of community and fellowship. As Sabbath is the most important holiday for Jews, Sunday service is the high point of Christian's celebration.

The Torah and the Bible are also part of the ritual in both religions. Every Sunday morning, either the priest or the pastor read from The Old Testament and the New Testament. My husband, a Jewish man from Brooklyn, NY, was surprised to learn that Christians believe in the Old Testament. He was taught in synagogues and Sunday schools that Christians didn't believe in the Old Testament. Of course, it was never true.

Charity, love for the neighbor and modern ethics' concepts that now are part of our everyday life came from Judaism. Moses received the 10 commandments from God's hands and, since then we've been studying it as one of the most complete set of laws in the world.

I believe that until we take some time to understand more about other religions, we will be tempted to be prejudicial. Judaism and Christianity have been holding hands for so long already, and as a Christian I can say that going to the synagogues is a very beautiful experience to me, and I've never been ostracized or victim of prejudice there, as my husband has been in some churches.

As a Jew, my husband also learned that some perceptions he had about Christians were wrong, and that as an interfaith couple, we can manage the differences and learn to admire and respect each other's religion. He has told me several times that his contact with Christianity made him a better Jew, and I also feel like a much better Christian since I began going to the synagogues. So many of my questions were answered since then.

Learn more about this author, Grace Araujo Kolman..
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