From the Publisher: What does it mean to be a Jew? How does one begin to answer so extensive a question? In this insightful and completely updated tome, esteemed rabbi and bestselling author Joseph Telushkin helps answer the question of what it means to be a Jew, in the largest sense. Widely recognized as one of the most respected and indispensable reference books on Jewish life, culture, tradition, and religion, Jewish Literacy covers every essential aspect of the Jewish people and Judaism. In 352 short and engaging chapters, Rabbi Telushkin discusses everything from the Jewish Bible and Talmud to Jewish notions of ethics to antisemitism and the Holocaust; from the history of Jews around the world to Zionism and the politics of a Jewish state; from the significance of religious traditions and holidays to how they are practiced in daily life. Whether you want to know more about Judaism in general or have specific questions you'd like answered, Jewish Literacy is sure to contain the information you need

The Koren Sacks Siddur is the first new Orthodox Hebrew/English siddur in a generation. The Siddur marks the culmination of years of rabbinic scholarship, exemplifies Koren¿s tradition of textual accuracy and intuitive graphic design, and offers an illuminating translation, introduction and commentary by one of the world¿s leading Jewish thinkers, Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks. Halakhic guides to daily, Shabbat, and holiday prayers supplement the traditional text. Prayers for the State of Israel, its soldiers, and national holidays, for the American government, upon the birth of a daughter and more reinforce the Siddur¿s contemporary relevance. A special Canadian Edition is the first to include prayers for the Canadian government within the body of the text.

Lesléa Newman's picture book Here Is the World is a joyous celebration of the Jewish holidays throughout the year for young children that's "both lovely and eminently useful" ( Kirkus Reviews )--illustrated by Susan Gal. Here is the world, ever changing and new, Spinning with joy at the wonder of you! Beginning with the weekly observance of Shabbat, readers join a family through the holidays and the corresponding seasons. From sounding the shofar on Rosh Hashanah to lighting the menorah for Chanukah to rattling a grogger for Purim, and on through the Jewish year, the joy and significance of each holiday beautifully come to life. Back matter includes a description of each holiday, easy crafts and recipes for every season, and a 3D tear-out dreidel! " Illustrating the change of seasons, Gal's charcoal and digital collage images effervesce with cheery colors, moving from the radiant gold, yellows, and reds of autumn to the greens and blues of spring--with a stop in snowy winter for Chanukah, of course." -- Publishers Weekly

Extremely Reform Judaism is one of the world's fastest growing denominations and also its most misunderstood-ever since the ancient forefathers first lifted their eyes to God to ask, "Why can't we have a Christmas Tree?" How to Be an Extremely Reform Jew pokes irreverent yet good-natured fun its subject, with chapters on the mandatory and optional Extremely Reform Jewish holidays; maintaining the Extremely Reform Jewish home; diaspora travel tips; Extremely Reform rites of passage (circumcision, bar mitzvah, intermarriage); and how to deprogram your Extremely Reform child after he has joined a religious cult. Highlights include "The Ten Suggestions"; a "Feast and Fast Yo-Yo Diet Guide to Jewish Holidays"; and "Glengarry Glen Purim, a David Mamet Purim Play." This humorous illustrated guide contains numerous quotations from ancient Extremely Reform Jewish texts, such as, "He who gives a coin to the poor is rewarded with six blessings, but he who makes a pledge to charity receives a free tote bag," and, "Thou shalt not stand outside the synagogue on the High Holy Days scalping thy tickets to the services." First published by Avon Books in 1994, the new edition preserves the content of the original in fresh paperback and ebook formats. It's an ideal gift for Hanukkah or any occasion.

Jewish life is regulated by two calendars, the civil and the Jewish, each with its own dates and distinctive ryhthms. This volume, Gates of the Seasons: A Guide to the Jewish Year, is designed to help Jews feel more clearly the flow of Jewish time. Gates of the Seasons is a comprehensive survey of the home-based and synagogue-based mitzvot for all the sacred days, both ancient and modern, which make up the cyle of the Jewish year. Also included are brief essays on such subjects as the Jewish calendar, the liturgy of the festivals, and the special Torah and Haftarah readings. The book includes extensive notes, bibliography, glossary and an index.

This book contains chapters on all Jewish Holy days, including chapter 5, "the dream and how to live it: Shabbat."

A guide to the Days of Awe, a period in which members of the Jewish faith participate in a series of prayers and rituals that reenact the soul's experiences of a lifetime and open themselves to God.

A retelling of the order of the Seder and story of the Exodus from Egypt, including prayers, blessings, rituals, fables, songs and commentary. This edition reflects significant changes from the original text, including the excision of the Ten Plagues, Rabbinic interpretations, and concepts such as divine vengeance and the election of Israel. The text instead focuses on universalism and modern ethical standards.

Rabbi Benjamin's congregation presents him with a special holiday vest--and cooks him so much food that soon its buttons pop off. Includes glossary, notes on Jewish holidays, and recipes for special foods associated with them.

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Jewish Family and Life: Traditions, Holidays, and Values for Today's Parents and Children has become the definitive book for parents to turn to for sound advice on important and current parenting issues. It dispenses invaluable information that is relevant to Jewish families today, whether the family has a mixed marriage, two parents, a single parent, or adoptive parents. The book's three parts--Traditions, Holidays and Values--investigate contemporary issues in raising children and show concrete ways in which Judaism can play a practical role in enriching a family's spiritual and moral education. Each chapter includes lively, hands-on activities that you can do with your kids and simultaneously instill vital cultural and religious education. Vetted by a prestigious advisory board that is co-chaired by Nobel Prize-winner Elie Weisel, this book with help unify the family and re-establish rich traditions that have been lost over the generations.

A detailed, comprehensive, and authoritative guide to Jewish practice for home and synagogue. The many subjects treated in the volume are discussed in the light of traditional Jewish sources (Bible, Talmud, Codes, Responsa, etc.), and are fully referenced for authentication and further study. The topics covered include virtually everything that might be of interest to the modern Jew: the laws of kashrut and how to keep a kosher home; the meaning and significance of the holidays and how to observe them at home and in the synagogue; laws governing such key life events as marriage, divorce, birth, adoption, conversion, death, and many others. In addition, the volume includes full discussions, from the Jewish point of view, of such pressing issues of current concern as euthanasia, organ transplantation, abortion, autopsy, artificial insemination and women's rights. Also included are relevant decisions of the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards of the Rabbinical Assembly.

"Jewish Days" takes the reader through the year, interpreting and illustrating the most significant dates on the Jewish calendar, including Jewish holidays, important historical dates, and biblical events to which tradition has assigned dates. Throughout the book, each month is introduced by a discussion of its zodiac sign in terms of the kabbalists' worldview. Francine Klagsbrun has drawn on legends, traditional teachings, and modern scholarship in the almost one hundred essays presented, and Mark Podwal's elegant paintings and witty drawings are the perfect complement to her text.

Discusses how the customs of modern Judaism my be incorporated into everyday life and describes the holidays and life-cycle ceremonies central to Judaism.

Noted folklorist Howard Schwartz retells 12 Jewish tales from around the world. Each tale combines elements of magic with a link to a Jewish holiday, giving new perspectives on Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Hanukkah, Purim, and Passover--plus Shabbat, the weekly Sabbath. These memorable stories of holiday miracles and miraculous escapes have been passed down orally for thousands of years. Now the best of them--from "A Flock of Angels" to "The Enchanted Menorah" and "The Magic Winecup"--have been collected, and enriched by Monique Passicot's luminous illustrations.

In 5 parts. Part 1 offers parallel English & Hebrew blessings and prayers for home, synagoge, and other settings. Part 2 offers a psalm (poem) and a direction (essay) for each day between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Part 3 is parallel English & Hebrew blessings and prayers for Yom Kippur. Part 4 is a newly constructed non-hierarchical liturgy (Entering the Gates), and Part 5 is an essay about the newly constructed liturgy of part 4.

A how-to for Jewish spirituality that works. "A spiritual seeker is a person whose soul is awake. In this book I make no assumptions about how much you know about Judaism, what holidays you keep, or whether you believe in God. I want us to start from your soul's experience and carry on from there." --from the Introduction "Virtually anyone remotely affiliated with Judaism should read this book," wrote Publishers Weekly, which listed Jewish with Feeling among its Best Religion Books of the Year. "Without question the best, most readable introduction to Reb Zalman's philosophy of Judaism, it is also the best beginner's guide to Jewish spirituality available today," wrote the Forward, "the perfect book for both the spiritual seeker and the curious skeptic." Taking off from basic questions like "Why be Jewish?" and whether the word God still speaks to us today, Reb Zalman lays out a vision for a whole-person Judaism. This is not only Sinai then but Sinai now, a revelation of the Torah inside and all around us. Complete with many practical suggestions to enrich your own Jewish life, Jewish with Feeling is "a mystical masterpiece filled with spiritual practices and an exciting vision of the future" (Spirituality & Health). Spiritual experience, as Reb Zalman shows, repays every effort we make to acquire it.

Provides needed historical background and also interprets the ideas, practices, and liturgy that lend them contemporary relevance to today's Jews.