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Oy vey! You Never Call! You Never Write!: A History of the Jewish Mother author Joyce Antler talks about Jewish humor, overbearing mothers, and Sarah Silverman. Watch the video (.wmv). |
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Book Description
In You Never Call, You Never Write, Joyce Antler provides an illuminating and often amusing history of one of the best-known figures in popular culture--the Jewish Mother. Whether drawn as self-sacrificing or manipulative, in countless films, novels, radio and television programs, stand-up comedy, and psychological and historical studies, she appears as a colossal figure, intensely involved in the lives of her children. Antler traces the odyssey of this compelling personality through decades of American culture. She reminds us of a time when Jewish mothers were admired for their tenacity and nurturance, as in the early twentieth-century image of the "Yiddishe Mama," a sentimental figure popularized by entertainers such as George Jessel, Al Jolson, and Sophie Tucker, and especially by Gertrude Berg, whose amazingly successful "Molly Goldberg" ruled American radio and television for over 25 years. Antler explains the transformation of this Jewish Mother into a "brassy-voiced, smothering, and shrewish" scourge (in Irving Howe's words), detailing many variations on this negative theme, from Philip Roth's Portnoy's Complaint and Woody Allen's Oedipus Wrecks to television shows such as "The Nanny," "Seinfeld," and "Will and Grace." But she also uncovers a new counter-narrative, leading feminist scholars and stand-up comediennes to see the Jewish Mother in positive terms. Continually revised and reinvented, the Jewish Mother becomes in Antler's expert hands a unique lens with which to examine vital concerns of American Jews and the culture at large. A joy to read, You Never Call, You Never Write will delight anyone who has ever known or been nurtured by a "Jewish Mother," and it will be a special source of insight for modern parents. As Antler suggests, in many ways "we are all Jewish Mothers" today.
Customer Reviews:
wonderful, heart-warming book.......2007-04-27
Reading this book will be a nostalgic trip down memory lane; the book is full of funny and charming anecdotes and recaps of classic humor routines and shows of past generations. A great book that gives you the really lively, hilarious, often shocking, sometimes bawdy history of how the Jewish Mother has been portrayed in movies, books, sitcoms, etc. But then the author contrasts that negative image with accounts of real Jewish mothers and women, who are strong, spunky, and loving. The perfect gift book; I confess I've already given copies to my mom and 4 aunts!
A great read for all mothers- Jewish or not!.......2007-04-27
A friend of mine recently recommended this book to me, and let me tell you this was one of the funniest and most endearing books I've read lately!
The author talks about how the perception of the Jewish Mother has come about thru stereotypes and so forth using various examples from pop culture. Interestly, with many of the portrayals she gives- I found myself thinking of my own Italian mother doing the same things!
I think anyone with a (slightly) overnurturing mother would greatly appreciate this warm book!
Book Description
The story of conflict and confrontation between Islam and the West has become daily news, but throughout the ages Muslims, Christians, and Jews have shared more than enmity and war: there is also a rich and textured history of coexistence that has all but disappeared from our collective memory. In this timely and revealing book, Zachary Karabell traces the legacy of tolerance and cooperation from the advent of Islam to the present day.
In an extraordinary narrative spanning fourteen centuries, Karabell introduces us to the court of the caliphs in Baghdad, where scholars of various faiths engaged in spirited debate. He evokes the wonders of medieval Spain, where Jewish sages, Muslim philosophers, and Christian monks together deciphered the meaning of God and the universe. He offers a portrait of the Crusades that goes beyond the rivalry of Saladin and Richard the Lionheart, and shows how Christians and Muslims lived side by side. And he paints a vivid picture of religious autonomy in the Ottoman Empire.
As he explores the growing tensions of the modern era, Karabell traces the rise of Arab nationalism, the redrawing of the Middle East map in the wake of World War I, and the increased hostilities following the creation of the state of Israel. Through it all, he reminds us that dialogue and friendship have always punctuated times of war and discord. Today, while some Muslims, Christians, and Jews engage in confrontation, others—in Dubai, in Turkey, and around the globe—find common ground. Remembering the legacy of coexistence and recognizing its prevalence even today is a vital ingredient to a more stable, secure world.
Customer Reviews:
Peace Be Upon You.......2007-08-23
An excellent summary of periods of religious tolerance practiced by Christian and Muslim rulersetween 10th and 15th centuries. The study is balanced in that instances of non-tolerance are also presented. The study would have benefitted from the inclusion of pluralistic policies of the Fatimids, who ruled from Cairo in the 10th and 11th centuries.
A very refreshing book........2007-08-20
It is a well written, unbiased book that holds your interest throughout various chapters. I personally finished the book within a weekend. The author describes the historical coexistence that has occurred between various religious rulers of the Abrahamic faith, and their treatment of their subjects. There is also a good deal of information related to current conflicts in the world, detailing the formation of current middle eastern countries, including saudi arabia, jordan, israel, iraq to name a few. A must-read
A world view about peace.......2007-08-01
Peace Be Upon You surveys Muslim history from the seventh century to the present day. As the title suggests, Karabell focuses on those historical episodes, and where pluralistic society is highlighted, there is peaceful co-existence among people of different religions, and genuine religious tolerance. Woven into the narrative is Karabell's interpretation of the events and the reader is reminded to view these events not from the twenty-first century perspective, but from the perspective of the period.
In the introduction, Karabell states that "... the pages that follow present stories of both conflict and corporation." As a survey, it is necessary to focus only on the highlights of the era. The issue becomes deciding which events merit representing that era and here seeps the narrator's bias. Karabell's bias minimizes the role of religious doctrine as a driver for violence, and this view may be regarded as understating the rational for conflict in some eras.
The work explores primarily Muslim societies for examples of co-existence. This may be due to its scope. Examples are non-Muslim societies, where religious tolerance was the norm, are not given much exposure. Hence, the Norman king Roger II is not given a lot of exposure.
Civil society is composed of non-governmental organizations. These organizations have molded their respective society's outlook and in turn shaped official policies. In understanding religious tolerance, this aspect needs to be more fully explored. While there are some examples (such as the Order of Cluny), the influence of the Ottoman guilds or contemporary NGOs (such as AKDN) is not thoroughly explored.
Peace Be Upon You seems to have two objectives. The first is to convey the message that we need to live in peace with other societies that are difference from our own. The second is that history is complex and contains examples of peace as well as conflict. How we choose to look at it defines our present attitude, and shapes future events. In achieving these objectives, Karabell does an excellent job. In his words: "Peace is woven in our collective past; it is there to be seen in our messy present; and it will be there in or shared future."
Armchair Interviews says: Peace be upon you.
Well researched, but biased.......2007-07-02
The author is a good, persuasive writer. His research is impressive. Prospective readers should know going in, however, that Mr. Karabell has a bias. Rather than telling you up-front about his bias, he reveals it slowly and subtly throughout the book. For its merits, I give the book two stars. For not being up-front with his readers, I withhold three stars.
So, what is his bias? He laments the loss of Muslim rule in the world, not as we see it today, but as he perceives it was 1000 years ago. As other reviewers have noted here on Amazon, the author carefully proposes that only when Muslims ruled certain regions of the world has there been peace there. He largely sees the ancient Muslim regimes as promoters of peace and humility. He sees them as tolerant and respectful of other religions. And, he feels that they possessed an admirable inquisitiveness into the arts and sciences. In the Christian and post-Christian regimes he largely sees corruption, greed, rapaciousness, brutality and oppression. A balanced and more realistic work would have more carefully demonstrated that there was incredible brutality and greed on all sides throughout history.
Karabell argues that the best way to approach a book like this is by using Islam as the reference point for considering Judaism and Christianity. He writes, "it makes sense to focus primarily on how Muslims dealt with Jews and Christians rather than on how Jews and Christians dealt with Muslims [...] Muslims had to think through relations between the faiths far more than Christians and Jews ever did [...] Only after the first wave of Muslim conquests were Jews and Christians forced to invent theologically acceptable compromises that would allow them to acquiesce to Muslim rule." His approach is certainly one of the ways that one could approach this topic. Failing to consider, or even mention, the other ways, suggests a lack of balance, especially in light of some of the other things he writes in the book.
Later in the book, he writes, "the humiliation of Muslim societies at the hands of Western states [...] produced a legacy of hatred and animosity that eventually led to the fundamentalism, violence, and terrorism of the late twentieth and twenty-first centuries." He goes on to argue that the rise of the West, in its pursuit of what he calls "the cult of progress" meant "disdain for established religion and for political systems that had governed people from time immemorial." In other words, the West sacrificed peace for wealth and as a result is, ultimately, responsible for the terrorist attacks in New York, London and Spain. These are not the words of an unbiased historian. For many, these are not words of peace.
God is Great and this book is Excellent.......2007-05-20
My title reflects a past reviewer who said God may be great. There is no debate or question about it, God is Great. He is greater than any of his creation which is why it is so repugnant to Muslims that Jesus is considered divine, but thats a completely different topic.
This book is refreshing and the title of it is magnificent. Many people are dumbstruck by this book and that is echoed by a reviewer who said he felt uncomfortble reading it. To the western reader, it is unconfortable when you see the truth that Muslims were civilized people. They were not the most evil and terror driven people that the media wants you to believe. The Jews that lived under Muslim rule were treated more humanely then any Christian civiliaztion in history. It is only in the 20th century that America has embraced the Jews and it took a holocaust for even that to happen.
The part of this book that I think is the most important is the chapter on Saladins Jihad. The author does justice to Saladin when he says that his tolerance was legendary but when it came time to fight, he was bold and ruthless. I think that is the best type of person you can have as commander in chief. He allowed the Jews and Christians to continue to worship when he took over Jerusalem and the surrounding areas and that is exactly what the prophet Muhammad would have done. His example is a throwback to the early Muslims who conquered half the known world but still let people who were non-Muslim co-exist with the Muslims without any problems. I recommend, if you have time, to watch Islam: Empire of Faith to learn more about the way that Muslims lived side by side with the people of the book. You can probably get it from your local library.
Book Description
A Code of Jewish Ethics, Volume 1: You Shall Be Holy is the initial volume of the first major code of Jewish ethics to be written in the English language. It is a monumental work on the vital topic of personal character and integrity by one of the premier Jewish scholars and thinkers of our time.
With the stated purpose of restoring ethics to its central role in Judaism, Rabbi Joseph Telushkin offers hundreds of examples from the Torah, the Talmud, rabbinic commentaries, and contemporary stories to illustrate how ethical teachings can affect our daily behavior. The subjects dealt with are ones we all encounter. They include judging other people fairly; knowing when forgiveness is obligatory, optional, or forbidden; balancing humility and self-esteem; avoiding speech that shames others; restraining our impulses of envy, hatred, and revenge; valuing truth but knowing when lying is permitted; understanding why God is the ultimate basis of morality; and appreciating the great benefits of Torah study. Telushkin has arranged the book in the traditional style of Jewish codes, with topical chapters and numbered paragraphs. Statements of law are almost invariably followed by anecdotes illustrating how these principles have been, or can be, practiced in daily life. The book can be read straight through to provide a solid grounding in Jewish values, consulted as a reference when facing ethical dilemmas, or studied in a group.
Vast in scope, this volume distills more than three thousand years of Jewish laws and suggestions on how to improve one’s character and become more honest, decent, and just. It is a landmark work of scholarship that is sure to influence the lives of Jews for generations to come, rich with questions to ponder and discuss, but primarily a book to live by.
Customer Reviews:
Wise advice throughout, for anyone.......2006-10-02
One of the things I find most wonderful about this book is that I can pick it up and read only a page, and have something worth thinking about. It is packed full of good, clear advice and ethical guidance. On first glance there are some ideas that seem obvious, and some that seem impossible. But with further reading and effort the impossible becomes easier to conceive of, and ideas that seemed obvious reveal hidden depths. I am on my second reading of the book, mixed with frequently jumping around in the text, and I'm certain I'll get something new from it with future readings as well.
A particularly lovely touch to this book is that with every piece of advice, there is an explanation, an example, or an anecdote - something to tie the subject in to our every-day lives. For example, the section on common sense and tact quotes the late Jewish humorist Sam Levenson in saying "It's not so hard to be wise. Just think of something stupid to say and don't say it." This seems like such a small thing, but this little bit of humor stays in my mind better than any lecture, and is just enough to remind me that I mean to improve. Other such anecdotes show that some of the "impossible" expectations through the book are in fact anything but.
So many "self-help" and "self-improvement" books are easy to skim through, more fluff and cheery stories than content. While many books on living the good life have passed through my hands, no other has lingered quite as well as this one. Every time I open it I am reminded of some aspect of life that I should focus more on, and I expect it will be on my shelf for a very long time.
excellent for the High Holy Days.......2006-09-25
Like Telushkin's Book of Jewish Values (which overlaps somewhat with this book) this book is not only full of practical ethical suggestions. Here are a few examples:
1. To help yourself give other people the benefit of the doubt, think of rationalizations that might help, just as if you were making excuses for yourself
2. Praying for others when they are sick is a fine thing, but why not go further by praying for those with other problems such as financial or relationship issues?
3. When visiting friend you haven't seen in awhile, say the Shecheyanu prayer to thank God for the privilege;
4. If someone is getting on your nerves, think of ways in which they might be superior to you;
5. Chant "Do not be easily angered" (al tehi noach lekos) to calm yourself down if you feel yourself getting angry.
Although I am not sure yet which (if any) of these ideas I will have the self-discipline to put into practice, this book has already inspired me to do a little beyond what was directly suggested.
Since this time of year is (for Jews) a propitious time for reforming oneself, I think this book is especially useful this time of year.
Concededly, a few of the book's suggestions seemed a bit overly ambitious to me- but my feeling is that if this book inspires me to do just a few small things differently, than it is worth the time I invested in it.
ample encyclopedic mind.......2006-07-03
In a longer review for jbooks.com, I wrote: "Spending time with this first volume is akin to tapping into Rabbi Telushkin's encyclopedic mind. Fortunately, it's both an ample and organized mind, as evidenced by the logical breakdown of chapters, the bulk of which appear in the second part, in which basic virtues and vices are explicated. Everything from civility and forgiveness to anger and hatred are laid bare." You can read the full review at [...]
Book Description
This fascinating guide to the inner journey offered by the Passover Seder evening incorporates a holistic approach to Judaism, which activates the four worlds of the individual: the world of action, the world of emotion, the world of intellect, and the world of spirit. It weaves a beautiful tapestry, illuminating the treasures available within Passover and the Jewish yearly festival cycle.
Customer Reviews:
Everything you ever needed to know and more.......2007-05-22
This probably should NOT be labelled as a Haggadah, per se; it is an extremely in depth study of every aspect of the Passover Seder. While it is an excellent source of information, it is something to be studied long before Seder and could not possibly be used as the traditional text during the ceremony. I found it to be quite inspirational, though, and pulled some of the text out for use during our Seder for contemplation and to spark conversation regarding, as the title asks, "how will you be different this Passover?".
Extremely thought provoking........2007-05-14
I'm still reading through it, even though Passover's long over. Lots of interesting interpretations that I'd never learned before, about all aspects of Passover and the Haggadah.
Even for tradtionalists.......2007-03-15
Michael Kagan's take on the traditional haggadah is not for those who want to rush through the ritual and get to the food. He asks a lot of questions -- very appropriate -- that require a deep breath, a lot of thought and serious discussion.
We have used the same haggadah for 25 years (the Rabbinical Assembly's "Feast of Freedom") with great satisfaction, but have always supplemented it with comments and questions from others. Kagan's contributions will certainly enhance our sedarim this year and on many future occasions.
PS -- Even if you are traditional, do not be afraid of the liberal/renewal perspective of the author. His insights contain enough variety and genuine depth to speak to people in every religious and secular context.
Let Pesach Change Your Life.......2004-06-03
Reb Kagan leads us out of the narrow places of our lives into the expansive One. This is a man whose Judaism is really rooted in the soul. "..And I will bring them back out of Mitzraim...and I will strengthen them in Hashem."(Zech.10:10-12)
A uniquely insightful and moving exploration.......2004-04-05
An essentially traditional presentation of the Haggadah enhanced with original, insightful commentary by Michael L. Kagan (a self-described "ortho-practicing but unorthodox Jew"), The Holistic Haggadah: How Will You Be Different This Passover Night? informatively presents contemporary readers with the Haggadah of the Passover Seder. A uniquely insightful and moving exploration of a Judaic religious tradition that explores the depths of meaning and revelation beyond the surface of Biblical parables, The Holistic Haggadah is written and presented with profound reverence and confidently recommended for personal, theological, and academic Judaic Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.
Book Description
A first prayer boo for young children with 21 traditional Jewish prayers in simple Hebrew, English translation, and tranliteration. Blessings for a new day, the bounty of our food, Sabbath and holiday rituals, life and health, comfort and forgiveness. With lyrical watercolors. National Jewish Book Awards Honor Book.
Customer Reviews:
Just what I was looking for - almost.......2007-07-18
My husband was raised observant. I still have trouble with reading Hebrew and I wanted a book to help me with some morning and evening rituals. My one complaint is that they should have used the extended version of the Shema
Wonderful .......2006-07-12
When our first child was five, she asked us for her very own prayer book. This was the one we chose, and it has been wonderful both for her and her brother.
The book is only 25 pages, but it is filled with the most important prayers in the Jewish liturgy, beginning, after the prayer thanking God for a good night's sleep, with the Shema, the watchwords of the Jewish faith. As the English text explains, "Every morning and every night when we say the Shema, we are saying 'God is everywhere and God is One'."
These pages also include the beginning of the Veyahavta, which states, "We will love God with all our hearts, with all our souls and with all our might."
There are prayers for before and after meals, for lighting the Shabbat candles and blessing the Sabbath wine, and for saying good bye to Shabbat with the Havdalah blessings, with which the Jewish people welcome a new week.
The book also includes the most important blessings for four of the major holidays, Rosh Hashonah and Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Chanukah.
Children are also introduced to prayers in thanks for nature, for trees, prayers for good health, prayers for escaping from danger or good health, for peace, and to remember those who have died. The book ends with the traditional Jewish benediction, which I noticed at a Catholic service some years ago, is also a Christian tradition--
"May God bless you and keep you.
May God watch over you in kindness.
May God grant you a life of good health, joy and peace."
--Alyssa A. Lappen
One of our favorites!.......2002-01-18
As the foreward of this book says, daily Jewish prayers instill values in children. When we say a prayer before we eat, children understand that it's important to be thankful for what we have, including food on the table. When we pray before going to sleep for our safety, kids learn to be thankful for their lives. The bottom line: we love this book. It has prayers for greeting the new day, and bedtime prayers. When our beloved pet cat passed away this week, we opened the book to the prayer for mourners. By coincidence, the page included an illustration of an elderly woman with a cat! The words and illustrations are right on target for children, and parents will appreciate it, too. I highly recommend this book, and plan to buy it as baby gifts for family and friends.
Average customer rating:
- The horrors of the holocaustin the point of view of Laura Hillman
- A Brave Book about a Terrifying Time
- A Moving Story
- Awesome!
- The best true story I have ever read.....
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I Will Plant You a Lilac Tree: A Memoir of a Schindler's List Survivor
Laura Hillman
Manufacturer: Atheneum
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ASIN: 0689869800 |
Book Description
"HANNELORE, YOUR PAPA IS DEAD."
In the spring of 1942 Hannelore received a letter from Mama at her school in Berlin, Germany--Papa had been arrested and taken to a concentration camp. Six weeks later he was sent home; ashes in an urn.
Soon another letter arrived. "The Gestapo has notified your brothers and me that we are to be deported to the East--whatever that means." Hannelore knew: labor camps, starvation, beatings...How could Mama and her two younger brothers bear that? She made a decision: She would go home and be deported with her family. Despite the horrors she faced in eight labor and concentration camps, Hannelore met and fell in love with a Polish POW named Dick Hillman.
Oskar Schindler was their one hope to survive. Schindler had a plan to take eleven hundred Jews to the safety of his new factory in Czechoslovakia. Incredibly both she and Dick were added to his list. But survival was not that simple. Weeks later Hannelore found herself, alone, outside the gates of Auschwitz, pushed toward the smoking crematoria.
I Will Plant You a Lilac Tree is the remarkable true story of one young woman's nightmarish coming-of-age. But it is also a story about the surprising possibilities for hope and love in one of history's most brutal times.
Customer Reviews:
The horrors of the holocaustin the point of view of Laura Hillman.......2006-05-31
The book I will Plant You A Lilac Tree by Laura Hillman is an excellent book. I would most likely recommend it to girls though. I would recommend it to girls because the book talks about Hannelore getting sexually assaulted and other things like her falling in love with Bernard (Dick) Hillman. I would also recommend this book because it talks about true fact that happened during the Holocaust. This book has been the best book I've ever read. One reason it is would be because she expresses her feelings about the people she loved and lost, but also how she hated what was happening to the Jewish religion. All in all if you're looking for a good read I think you should read the book I will Plant You A Lilac Tree.
A Brave Book about a Terrifying Time.......2006-04-18
This is one of the best books I've ever read on any subject. It was compelling reading--I, too, couldn't put it down.
I love its honesty. Nothing was left out of this book. And yet it is not sensational or graphic. It's an honest, humane, and brave book about a terrifying time.
I'm so grateful to the author for writing it.
A Moving Story.......2006-03-13
This is the first-person account of Hannelore Wolff, a survivor of Nazi death camps and a Jew on Schindler's List. The story chronicles Hannelore's time when she leaves safety to accompany her mother and brothers to first a Jewish ghetto and then to a concentration camp in an effort to keep the family together. Hannelore then spends the next three years living day to day as she survives the disease, death, and horrors of the Holocaust. Her story is by turns one of luck, faith, and perseverance as she ultimately finds herself on Oskar Schindler's famous list and thus brought to the relative safety of his factory. Along the way Hannelore meets and falls in love with her future husband, Dick. Mrs. Hillman gives us a chilling account of a desperate time and helps us all to remember those who should not be forgotten. A tremendous story that will touch you deeply. Highly recommended.
Awesome!.......2006-02-16
This book is great! I have always been interested in this subject and i don't normaly read books! I'm a junior in high school and i enjoyed this book ALOT!!! Great character plot and great ending!! I don't want to return it to the library!! Also i share the same last name!
The best true story I have ever read............2006-02-07
One day I had nothing to read and I decided to get this book because I heard was great. It kept me on the edge of my seat through the whole book! I finished in less than two days and have read it five more times since.
Book Description
Lately, have you not felt enough guilt? Forgotten to worry if you're getting too thin? Or heard too few complaints about your being single? Well then, here you go! All the kvetch-ing and moaning only a Jewish mother could provide.
Laurie Rozakis brings you the good, the bad, and the guilt with The Portable Jewish Mother. Serving up a healthy, heaping portion of Mom's love and wisdom, all without the gefilte fish aftertaste. Complete with quizzes and recipes, myths and misconceptions, this book answers any and all questions you could ever have about Jewish mothers.
Even if your mom is a shiksa, she'll love The Portable Jewish Mother. Because all mothers have a little Jewish mother in them!
Average customer rating:
- Hilarious!
- You Think For No Reason I Read These? No! I Read These To Grow Wiser, Seventeen-Syllables-At-A-Time.
- HAIKU FOR JEWS & BABY HAIKU
- A great laugh.
- Take it to shul
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Haikus for Jews: For You, a Little Wisdom
David M. Bader
Manufacturer: Harmony
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ASIN: 060960502X
Release Date: 1999-09-07 |
Amazon.com
"Of all the many forms of Jewish-Japanese poetry, the Jewish haiku is perhaps the most sublimely beautiful," begins the foreword to the wickedly funny and tirelessly bizarre Haikus for Jews by David M. Bader. If you can't abide a little fun with stereotypes, read another book. But if you don't mind a little ribbing, take a look at the following haiku, which gives only a mild taste of the yummy-as-lox treats gathered in this collection: "Jewish voodoo tip -- / mention an acting career, / then watch for chest pain." And if you liked that, you'll love this: "Lightbulb out again -- / how many of us must meet / to change it this time?" And they just keep getting better.
Book Description
Why is this haiku book different from all other haiku books?
For centuries, the Japanese haiku has been one of the world's most dazzling poetic forms. In just three short lines, it captures the sublime beauty of nature--the croak of the bullfrog, the buzzing of the dragonfly, the shriek of the cicada, the scream of the cormorant. Now, with Haikus for Jews, there is finally a collection that celebrates the many advantages of staying indoors.
Inspired by ancient Zen teachings and timeless Jewish noodging, this masterful work is filled with insights that will make you exclaim, "Ah!" or at least "Oy!" Whether you are Jewish or you simply enjoy a good kosher haiku, these chai-kus (so called because of their high chutzpah content) are certain to amuse. What's more, with each poem limited to seventeen syllables,
Haikus for Jews is perfect for people in a hurry. Find out why God has made these The Chosen Haikus.
Customer Reviews:
Hilarious!.......2006-10-20
This little book is quite a find. While I'm not jewish, I was raised by a Catholic mother, so I think I can relate. These short poems will definitely bring a smile to your face.
You Think For No Reason I Read These? No! I Read These To Grow Wiser, Seventeen-Syllables-At-A-Time........2006-10-16
In some ways even funnier than Bader's other mixture of Judaism and (flimsy) Zen wisdom. These haiku do often offer nuggets of wisdom and nearly always they do it with a little joke wrapped up inside. You can read this book in about thirty minutes, contemplation time included, so why you still sitting there?
HAIKU FOR JEWS & BABY HAIKU.......2006-07-15
I have been a student for Haiku for a long time and now am teaching at workshops about the Haiku form, but most importantly, the Haiku spirit. I came from Japan and I am very flattered to notice how popular Haiku is in the Western contemporary literary circle. While Haiku is a form of Japanese poetry that states in 3 lines of 5-7-5 syllables a spiritaul insight, I tend not to bother with the syllables (because Japanese syllables and English syllables are totally different) but focus on whether the poet has captured the Haiku spirit- which means Zen. As far as I am concerned, David M. Bader's Haiku for Jews has got it! You can tell within 2 poems. And the rest is just a truly enjoyable read. The other great poetess that I think also got the essence of the Haiku spirit is Lily Wang. Her newest work, BABY HAIKU, contains many moving Haiku. Though the subjects are totally different, their powerful applications of the Haiku form are impressive. I am using them both for my Haiku classes.
A great laugh........2006-03-29
I had first gotten an e-mail with these Jewish-themed haikus a couple of years ago and I was on the floor laughing. After I passed the e-mail on to everyone I knew would appreciate it, I needed more. I searched online, found out about David Bader and bought his book. Just about every page elicits a laugh-out-loud chuckle. I started bringing the book with me to family functions and to friend's dinner parties and then ended up just buying it in handfuls to give as gifts to friends.
Just a few of the haikus are a little challenging (e.g., he mentiones "Leonard's of Great Neck" which was THE place in NY to be bar-mitzvahed in the 70s) but even my goyisha husband and friends think the book is LOL funny. In fact, one of my friend's son recited the bar-mitzvah haiku(mentioned in another review here) during his "thank you Mom and Dad" essay at his own bar-mitzvah and even the rabbi laughed!
Take it to shul.......2006-02-27
The rebbezin and I gained many questioning looks from other daveners - we seemed to be the only one tremendeously enjoying the sermon. Little did they know!
Book Description
"Although the idea of 'keeping Passover' has too often come to mean the strict observance of an unending string of ordinances, decrees, rules, regulations, testimonies, precepts, laws, and statutes, it can as well mean the safekeeping of something precious and worth preserving. Tradition should be like the ballast that keeps a ship steady in an ocean of constant stormy change."
From one of the nation's leading Haggadah experts comes the ultimate guide to creating a faithful and personal seder celebration. Emphasizing "thou may" instead of "thou shalt," Steingroot presents all the traditional and alternative options. Keeping Passover explores:
- the meaning of the Passover symbols
- how to choose the right Haggadah
- food, cookbooks, and table arrangements
- music, recordings, and learning to sing the songs
- ways to involve children
- the art of keeping Passover fresh every year
Keeping Passover is a much needed and highly accessible resource offering a rich assortment of methods -- from simple to elaborate, traditional to innovative -- to enhance, preserve, and celebrate the seder.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent Introduction/Review.......2007-05-07
This paperback was interesting and fact-filled, even for someone with previous knowledge of Passover and the Seder. It's approach is traditional, although i am not sure the ultra-Orthododox would regard it as such. My one complaint was the size of the print in the paperback edition--too small.
A Must For Passover.......2000-05-27
Steingroot approaches Passover customs with the attitude of "you may" replacing "you must." Further, his research into the history of Passover traditions is extensive, which provided me (one of the Goyim) with the ability to amaze my Jewish friends. Even my partner wasn't sure why his family ate potatoes as a "green vegetable." Steingroot knew why. I adopted Steingroot's attitude of "you may," and as a result, our first seder as hosts was a great success.
A Beautiful Meditation and Explication of Passover.......1999-03-14
Steingroot has written a beautiful, thoughtful, and highly erudite book on Passover, one that enables the reader to delve deeply into its mysteries, and to love its idiosyncrasies. I reccomend this book to anyone interested in writing their own Haggadah, or tweaking the one they already use. The section titled "The Mute Book", where Steingroot explores the esoteric symbolism underlying the structure and ritual of the seder, is especially gripping (strange word to use of such a topic, but true).
A must read for the month between Purim and Passover........1996-02-10
The purpose of this book is to provide information to
empower each of us to create a meaningful Passover,
no matter what our level of observance or learning.
Provides wonderful insights on the meaning of
ritual, text, history and communal experience. Also an
exhaustive source of further information.
Highly recommend as a basic resource in any home Jewish
library.
Product Description
This "how-to-witness-to-Jewish-people" book is an orderly presentation of everything you'll need to share the Messiah with a Jewish friend or co-worker in a loving, non-confrontational manner. Offers insights into understanding Jewish religion and culture. Includes Messianic prophecies, Jewish objections to believing in Jesus, sensitivities in your witness and more. You'll be educated and encouraged. Divided into four sections:
You--the Gentile Christian
Your Message--the Jewish Gospel
Your Audience--The Jewish People and
Feedback--Barriers to Belief
Customer Reviews:
Too goyish and promotes paganism - some aspects good.......2006-09-11
I have a few concerns about the book 'You Bring The Bagels I'll Bring The Gospel' :
1) Mr. Rubin seems to think "christmass" and "ishtar" (easter) are acceptable Holy Days for believers. They were mentioned several times in a favroable light. Both of these Holy Days are worship of tammuz, the pagan sun "god" deity worshipped by the pagans since 1,500 BCE. G-d has ALWAYS called paganism used to worship Him an abomination (see Aaron's calf as well as Ezekiel chapter 8) The book says nothing about keeping paganism out of worship of Adonai and it seems to indicate it is perfectly acceptable for believers to keep the pagan Holy Days and using those pagan days to witness to their Jewish friends. It is "christian" to keep the pagan days holy (which means so-called mainstream "christianity" is pagan, not Christian) Messianic Believers shun ANY paganism because Adonai calls it an abomination to Him --- He always has and always will. There is absolutely no way a pagan holy day can be "messiahnized" and make it acceptable to Adonai
2) Same thing with the cross. The cross was used in pagan worship of tammuz since 1,500 BCE (see: concise .britannica. com/ebc/article-9380199/Tammuz --- note that tammuz is carrying his cross) In Ancient Israel, a brass serpent was made so that the Israelis could look up on it for their source of healing (salvation) yet later on when they used it as an object of worship, it was called an abomination and they were punished for it. This was a forshadow of the cross / execution stake. We are to look to Yeshua's atonement for sin on the execution stake, yet we are to not use the cross / execution stake as an object of worship. Saying it is perfectly acceptable to use a cross to witness is mixing paganism with the truth. Same can be said by the 'star of David' which is an occult symbol and is spoken against in both the Tanach and the Bri't Hadashah --- it is a symbol of a pagan "god". Instead, a believer could use something like a Menorah to witness --- or a flag of Israel (even though it has the pagan symbol on it, it is still Israel's flag and shows support of Israel) The bible warns against using symbols as objects of worship and that is what the pagans (as well as some in Ancient Israel) have done - worship of tammuz' cross since 1,500 BCE
3) There seems to be a fair amount of psychology quoted / introduced in the book. Instead of using psychology, why not let the Spirit of G-d lead you in what to say? If one follows G-d. He will give the words to say while witnessing. One does not need an introductory course in secular humanistic psychology to be able to witness, they need G-d and His spirit --- they will be shown what to say to witness to their friends (whether Jew or gentile) It is good to use the right vocabulary and for that, this book is a good resource.
Except for the above concerns, I really enjoyed the book. Mr. Rubin is a talented writer who keeps the audience engaged. If there is to be another edition, the endorsement of paganism needs to be removed so it would be more credible. As it is, because of the support of paganism, it has lost it's credibility and so has, unfortunately, Mr. Rubin.
I am a gentile Messianic Believer and was raised in a mainstream so-called "christian" home and found the truth by studying scripture for myself. pagan holy days are NOT truth - they are a mixture, something Adonai DETESTS. Adonai wants to be worshipped in 100% TRUTH. christmass and ishtar are roman [catholic] pagan holy days The "reformers" only changed a few things they disagreed with while leaving the rest of the paganism intact. They should have RESTORED the faith back to the faith of the early church. As it is, "protestantism" has led more people to hell (because it is so deceptive) than the more blatant roman pagan [catholic] church has.
Completely true to the revealed Truth of the Bible.......2005-03-09
I found this book to be written in an entertaining manner with a very serious purpose. Regardless of what the previous reviewer has argued, the scriptures of both the Old and New Testaments teach something entirely different from what he is saying. The Apostle Paul sums it all up in his letter to the Romans in chapter 11 from which the reviewer takes verses out of context. (If you question this please read the passages for yourself and read the previous 10 chapters to understand the logical conclusions to Paul's statements which all relate directly to Old Testament (Torah) writings.) Here is an excerpt from Paul speaking directly to the Gentiles (us) about the Jews and their relationship to salvation through Jesus Christ taken from Romans 11:13-15 in the Amplified Bible.
13"But now I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I lay great stress on my ministry and magnify my office,
14In the hope of making my fellow Jews jealous [in order to stir them up to imitate, copy, and appropriate], and thus managing to save some of them.
15For if their rejection and exclusion from the benefits of salvation were [overruled] for the reconciliation of a world to God, what will their acceptance and admission mean? [It will be nothing short of] life from the dead!"
Doesn't this directly contradict the arguments of the previous reviewer? Is Paul not clearly saying that some of the Jews were saved but many rejected this salvation? Is not part of his purpose to lead some Jews to the saving blood of the crucified Messiah as the ONLY way to salvation? This supports the need for a book like this from a prominent Jew like Barry Rubin who has realized his need for the Messiah Jesus as his savior. I recommend it to any Christian who has friendships with Jewish neighbors and coworkers and wishes to lovingly show them their true Messiah.
I brought the bagels - and this book delivered........2002-01-31
If you believe that Jesus is the Messiah, and want to share the good news with your Jewish friends, neighbors, and co-workers, this book will provide you with what you need. Rubin's book is engaging, easy to read, and chock full of applicable information. This book can be used as a primer for discussions with individuals, and also as a text for Bible studies or Sunday School classes. I have not found another book like it.
Jewish evangelism?.......2000-09-20
This is a book that promises a great deal but delivers less. Perhaps it could be revised. We find out a lot about Barry Rubin and something of Jewish history. One could wish that he had more to say about actual witnessing techniques. The best section was the one on anti-Semitism. It's well written and nicely illustrated.
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