Dr. Faydra Shapiro
Lecturer in Jewish-Christian Relations
As an Orthodox Jew, Dr. Shapiro holds a lifelong interest in Christianity and is passionate about building greater understanding between Jews and Christians. With her first-hand knowledge, Dr. Shapiro teaches how each community can strengthen each other within the respective traditions. Dr. Faydra Shapiro holds a Ph.D. in Religious Studies from McMaster University and directs the work of Israel Center for Jewish-Christian Relations.
Dr. Shapiro began her career as a Professor of Religion and Culture at Wilfrid Laurier University, where she taught for 13 years. In 2006, her first book, Building Jewish Roots: The Israel Experience, won a National Jewish Book Award. In 2008, Dr. Faydra and her family immigrated to Israel, and Dr. Shapiro was eager to bring her academic expertise, unique experience, warmth, and charismatic teaching so that she could have a greater impact on the ground in Israel. Her second book, Christian Zionism: Navigating the Jewish-Christian Border, shows how the Christian Zionism Movement engages basic questions of identity and borders between Judaism and Christianity. Dr. Faydra regularly writes and contributes academic articles and popular op-eds on Jewish-Christian Relations.
In addition to her academic work, Dr. Faydra is a committed wife and mother. Along with her husband Shaul and their six children, the Shapiro’s live in a tiny community on a hilltop in Galilee.
