In the first century there were three sects of Judaism: the Pharisees, Saducees and Essenes. The Essenes were mystics who many believe were the authors of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Many scholars believe that Jewish Kabbalah had its roots among the Essenes. The Essenes were fore-runners of Christianity. There is much evidence that Yochanan (John) the immerser (the Baptist) came from an Essene background and that many of the original Jewish followers of Yeshua (Jesus) were Essenes. This list is a discusion group for all of those who see themselves as modern Essenes or Nazarenes.