I have actually saw a documentary and it claims that an old branch of Kabbalah actually believes in reincarnation! Apparently, the old judeo-christian religions had this belief system but it was eventually abolished and replaced with the single life theory along with eternal bliss or damnation in the hereafter. They use this belief system to enslave and manipulate the masses of believers. In the case the of the church, they would even sell indulgences - papers that promised absolution from sin. I found this rather intriguing and I thought I shared this here as it is pretty similar to Buddhism.
The following is taken from Kabbah Online at
http://www.chabad.org about reincarnation in the Jewish faith. It's interesting that they have a misconception that Buddhist view of understanding is based on fatalism (philosophical doctrine stressing the subjugation of all events or actions to fate - wikipedia). Reincarnation is a natural phenomena that Buddha observed and spoke about. So it is not exclusive to Buddhism.
"Consequently, many Jews are surprised to learn, or may even wish to deny, that reincarnation - the "revolving" of souls through a succession of lives, or "gilgulim" - is an integral part of Jewish belief. But this teaching has always been around. And it is firmly rooted in source-verses.
Examples abound. Ramban, one of the greatest commentators on the Torah (and on the Talmud), and a seminal figure in Jewish history, hints several times that reincarnation is the key to penetrating the deep mysteries involved in the mitzvah of yibum (the obligation of the brother of a childless, deceased man to marry the widow). In his explanation of Gen 38:8, he insists that Yehudah and his sons were aware of the secret of reincarnation, and that this was a major factor in their respective attitudes towards Tamar...
The Jewish understanding of reincarnation is different from Buddhist doctrines. It in no way leads to fatalism. At every point of moral decision in his life, a Jew has complete free choice. If not for freedom of choice, how unfair it would be of G-d to make demands of us - especially when reward and punishment is involved! Reincarnation does not imply pre-determination. It is, rather, an opportunity for rectification and soul-perfection.
The holy Ari explained it most simply: every Jew must fulfill all 613 mitzvot, and if he doesn't succeed in one lifetime, he comes back again and again until he finishes. For this reason, events in a person's life may lead him towards certain places, encounters, etc., in ways that may or may not make sense. Divine providence provides each person with the opportunities he needs to fulfill those particular mitzvot necessary for the perfection of his soul. But the responsibility lies with us. At the actual moment of decision in any given situation, the choice is ours."
