"Rav Abraham Isaac Kook (1865-1935) was one of the most influential--and controversial--rabbis of the twentieth century. A visionary writer and outstanding rabbinic leader, Kook was a philosopher, mystic, poet, jurist, communal leader, and veritable saint. The first chief rabbi of Jewish Palestine and the founding theologian of religious Zionism, he struggled to understand and shape his revolutionary times. His life and writings resonate with the defining tensions of Jewish life and thought.A powerfully original thinker, Rav Kook combined strict traditionalism and an embrace of modernity, Orthodoxy and tolerance, piety and audacity, scholasticism and ecstasy, and passionate nationalism with profound universalism. Though little known in the English-speaking world, his life and teachings are essential to understanding current Israeli politics, contemporary Jewish spirituality, and modern Jewish thought. This biography, the first in English in more than half a century, offers a rich and insightful portrait of the man and his complex legacy. Yehudah Mirsky clears away widespread misunderstandings of Kook's ideas and provides fresh insights into his personality and worldview. Mirsky demonstrates how Kook's richly erudite, dazzlingly poetic writings convey a breathtaking vision in which "the old will become new, and the new will become holy.""--

THE PATH OF A PIONEER: THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF LEO JUNGThe authors career from Moravia to America.

Pp. 98-179, "The Nazi Years", present an account by Rabbi Prinz (1902-1988) of his spiritual leadership in the Jewish community of Berlin under Nazi rule. His outspoken Zionism and advocacy of Jewish emigration expressed a minority opinion among German Jews. The popular sermons of Prinz, who was under Nazi surveillance, offered spiritual resistance, and his educational activities with youth and adults helped assimilated German Jews discover their Jewish identity. A farewell meeting for him held by the community was attended by Eichmann, whose report of the event apparently advanced his career. Prinz was expelled from Germany in 1937 and emigrated to the U.S. The editor occasionally corrects errors, such as dating, in Prinz's account, especially in regard to events affecting German Jews after Prinz emigrated.

The autobiography of Rabbi Jacob Emden (1697-1776), now available for the first time in English translation. Translated directly from the original manuscript with notes.

"A heartfelt account of how Rabbi Weinblatt confronts cancer after receiving this devastating diagnosis, this memoir traces his journey from beginning to end. It deals with his emotions, fears, and treatment and offers comfort, encouragement, and inspiration from a Jewish perspective. Using humor and coupling it with the wisdom of Jewish and Biblical sources as reflected in his sermons and other communications and writings, his words are a vehicle for sharing his experience and insights as he battles this disease. As a comforter to others, as well as a recipient of comfort, support, and love from family, friends, and members of his congregation, this book is also a valuable tool for clergy and health care professionals who interact with and counsel individuals in similar situations"--