This article is a helpful introduction to two prevailing paradigms for understanding places of pilgrimage: Communitas and contestation. While some scholars have seen pilgrimage as an opportunity for social divisions to fall away, others have argued it can bring contested beliefs to the fore. While the article is relatively dense and delves into the detailed anthropological theory, it provides a good starting place for addressing Jerusalem not solely as the site of conflict but also as a city of peace. Coleman provides some background about how these two ideas of sacred space came about and then expresses his hesitations about seeing them as solely ‘one-dimensional’ (page 361). Coleman evokes sentiments of community and conflict together. As a result, Coleman poses the question: Can communitas instead exist with contestation? 

This book is perhaps the most readable and accessible history of Jerusalem available. Sebag Montefiore brings his readers into the story of Jerusalem, with its complex web of characters and conflicts. What makes Montefiore’s book particularly engaging is its tableau of diverse perspectives: each chapter is divided into the figures who shaped the Holy City. Readers encounter Josephus’ portrayal of a fallen Jerusalem, Abd al-Malik’s vision for the great Dome of the Rock and Pope Urban II’s apocalyptic call for the first Crusade. 

Levine’s book on Jerusalem originates from a conference held in 1996 and comprises a series of short essays by some of the most prominent scholars on the history of Jerusalem. While it is over 20 years old, it still provides a glimpse into some relevant debates regarding Jerusalem and its long history. These essays are challenging and give more context than necessary for an RE teacher. However, some illuminate why certain religious beliefs exist about the Holy City. For instance, Alexander’s essay on Jewish beliefs about Jerusalem during the Hasmonean period is helpful for understanding the centrality of Jerusalem in Judaism. Bowman’s article on the earliest Christian text of pilgrimage (the Bordeaux Itinerary) is a rewarding read, as it explains the origins of Christian pilgrimage. It could be valuable to compare an excerpt of this text with a medieval or modern perspective. Lastly, Ayalon’s essay provides a view of Jerusalem as a focal point for Jewish, Christian, and Muslim pilgrimage during the Medieval period. 

This historical survey of Jerusalem draws attention to its many conflicts. Jerusalem Besieged is a useful publication for those curious about the various conflicts over the Holy City.

A quick journey through time outlining the significance of Jersulalem as a holy city for followers of Christian, Islamic and Jewish faiths.