How to Get More out of Being Jewish

[Meshuga]

I'm taking the opportunity to recommend a very nice book for Jewish DU'ers who think they are bad Jews for being skeptics (but who are actually not bad Jews at all) and for the people who are going through Jewish conversion.

The entire name of the book is actually:

"How to Get More out of Being Jewish Even if: A. You Are Not Sure You Believe in God, B. You Think Going to the Synagogue Is a Waste of Time, C. You Think Keeping Kosher Is Stupid, D. You Hated Hebrew School, or E. All of the Above!" and the author is Gil Mann.

"How to Get More out of Being Jewish" is a very short book and you are probably going to read it and re-read it. It includes lots of references for further study if you are interested in doing so. The book goes over the three different doors to enter the Jewish way of life (ethics, spirituality, and peoplehood) and you can start with one of the three and eventually find the other two.

Another good book I would recommend to people going through conversion and for the Jews who feel bad for not knowing enough about Judaism is "Jewish Literacy" which I found to be very helpful and easy to read. Its author is Rabbi Joseph Telushkin.

Well, that's all I have to share for now. I'm glad this group is up and running so we can all learn from each other.

Shalom!!!

[asthmaticeog]

1. I'll look for that, thanks.

It's the ethics of Judaism I've always found most compelling about it - I'm not a spiritual man (I seek transcendence in the arts, and there alone), and traditional Jewish home life has always turned me off. That book sounds right up my alley.

BTW, MrW, are you fully in yet? If so, my condolences to "Lil' MrWiggles."

[Meshuga]

4. You will like the book for sure

You will see stories of people who have similar thoughts to yours in that book.

BTW, I'm not fully in yet. I'd like to have at least a complete calendar year living as a Jew before asking my rabbi for a beit din.

I'm really enjoying the learning process for now. The more I learn the more I love it! Converting is only a matter of time. :-)

Take care!

[drdon326]

2. Have the book ; Love the book. n/t

[leftynyc]

3. Thanks for the recommendation

I have also referred to "The Jewish Book of Why" on many occasions. Most recently on why we tear garments when someone dies.

[Meshuga]

5. I was eyeing the Book of Why at Amazon.com

I'm definitely getting it now. :-) Thanks!

[asthmaticeog]

6. Oh, do it.

I'm on my third copy, and I now have volumes 1 & 2. FANTASTIC resources. I haven't very many Jewish friends (they all moved away :cry:), and so being pretty much the only one around, I often have to field questions about our various unpronouncable holidays and whatnot, and if I don't remember something right off the top of my head, it's in the book. Pure gold, the thing is.

[IndianaGreen]

7. Can anyone recommend a good book for a boy of about 12.

He is the grandson of my significant other. They are not Jewish but he has expressed a strong interest in Judaism. It tried to dissuade him 3 times, but he is very persistent, and he already asked his dad (who is Buddhist) if it was okay for him to study Judaism. His dad's reply was "Why?." His dad did not oppose the idea, but he would have preferred his son had chosen Buddhism.

BTW, when his dad was in the military, my significant other and I were the ones that raised this boy.

I just want a good book that can introduce him to Judaism without being too much over his head. If he persists on this I will get him in touch with my rabbi.

[Behind the Aegis]

8. Check out Amazon

I got a book for my soon-to-be nephew. The list of children's books and Judaism is not that long, and many have excerpts that you can read. It will give you an idea what the book is like. I felt that some of the teen books were too juvenile. Give it a whirl.

[IndianaGreen]

11. I checked out Amazon

but I ended up ordering the book that in_cog_ni_to recommended. Thank you very much for the help.

PS: I almost bought Judaism for Dummies. :-)

[Meshuga]

14. Judaism for Dummies is great!

It is easy read and great to have a as reference.

[in_cog_ni_to]

9. Here's a list from Barnes and Noble.

I honestly don't know what would be good for a 12 year old. There's a book "Basic Judaism" which may be good for someone his age. There's a list here. Maybe you can find something better on the list? Hope this helps.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/results.asp?WRD=Basic%20Judaism&userid=xY4OCc4BDn&sourceid=00412886998061576230&bfdate=03%2D08%2D2005+18%3A30%3A47

on edit. Here's a book on the list that looks good. It has great reviews too.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?EAN=9780671034818&x=5818803&sourceid=00412886998061576230

[IndianaGreen]

10. Thanks, guys!

Essential Judaism looked comprehensive, yet easy to read. I ordered it tonight.

Thanks for the info!

:-)

[elshiva]

12. Jewish Literacy is a great book! Thank You!

[Ellen Forradalom]

13. We're using "Jewish Literacy" in my Intro to Judaism class

Big fat book but a very accessible read.

[Meshuga]

15. The book is thick but...

The topics are short and easy to read. You can start the book from the begining but or you can actually start from any section of interest too. It's awesome intro to a topic on Judaism you know nothing about.