Temple Israel - Bay City, Michigan - Suggested Reading List

Check out Rabbi Dorit's book of the month selections!

Temple Israel
Suggested Reading List

Look for New book and listening suggestions below
The books and Music on this list cover a variety of Jewish subjects -- all good reading and listening on Judaism. Do you have a favorite that you would like to see highlighted here? Send an e-mail to office@t-israel.org to request that your selection be added to the list. Be sure to include the title, author and a brief description of the book.

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Rabbi Dorit's February book club selection:
New Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia. Elizabeth Gilbert, Penguin Books, 2007.
In her early thirties, Elizabeth Gilbert had everything a modern American woman was supposed to want - husband, country home, successful carrer - but instead of feeling happy and fulfilled, she felt consumed by panic and confusion. This wise and rapturous book is the story of how she left behind all these outward marks of success, and of what she found in their place. Following a divorce and a crushing depression, Gilbert set out to examine three different aspects of her nature, set against the backdrop of three different cultures: pleasure in Italy, devotion in India, and on the Indonesian island of Bali, a balance between worldly enjoymnet and divine transcendence.

Latest selections:
The Book Thief. Markus Zusak, Knopf Books, 2006.
It's just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. . . .

Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak's groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can't resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau.

This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul.
The Beggar King and the Secret of Happiness: A True Story. Joel ben Izzy, Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, 2003.
This book discussed by Rabbi Dorit at Rosh Hashana services (1st day)
Once upon a time there was a storyteller who travelled the globe collecting and telling stories that had been passed down for generations. Though the tales he told held great wisdom, he failed to grasp their true meaning until the day he lost the power to tell them. This is the true story of that man -- who finds happiness just when he thinks he has lost everything. In this surprising and altogether original book, Joel ben Izzy takes us on an original journey into a world of beggars and kings, monks and tigers, lost horses and buried treasures. He begins with the tale of King Solomon, who loses his kingdom and is left to wander the land as a beggar. Then, ben Izzy's own tale unfolds -- much like a fable -- when he unexpectedly loses his voice, the very thing he needs most. His life as a husband, father, and storyteller begins to unravel until a chance encounter with his old teacher. . .
Jewish Spiritual Guidance: Finding Our Way to God (The Jossey-Bass Religion-in-Practice Series). Carol Ochs and Kerry M. Olitzky, Jossey-Bass Inc., Publishers, 1997.
This book discussed by Rabbi Dorit at Rosh Hashana services (2nd day)
This sensitively written book explains the process of spiritual guiance, encourages us to seek it out, and helps prepare those who feel called to become spiritual guides. Drawing from their personal and professional experience, as well as a rich array of traditional Jewish sources, the authors explore what Judaism has to say about the spiritual journey and the ways in which spiritual guidance can help us open more fully to God's presence in our lives.
Our Lives As Torah: Finding God in Our Stories. Carol Ochs, Jossey-Bass Inc., Publishers, 2001.
This book discussed by Rabbi Dorit on Yom Kippur
Many of us struggle with the image of God we were taught as children. The harsh, capricious, and impersonal Adonai we may have heard about in Hebrew school is not the God we have come to know and love today. But how do we find words to articulate our understanding of God or to describe our powerful relationship with this transcendent presence? In this powerful book, Carol Ochs shows us how to develop a personal theology by examining our life stories, learning to recognize God at work in them, and bringing them into conversation with Torah.

Music Selections:
The Days of Awe: Meditations for Selichot, Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur (Audio CD) David Chevan with Frank London and the Afro-Semitic Experience.
In The Days of Awe: Meditations for Selichot, Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur, jazz bassist David Chevan has produced a fascinating recording of jazz arrangements of cantorial compositions by Cantor Yosef Rosenblatt. Chevan and his ensemble - which includes members from the Klezmatics and from the Afro-Semitic Experince - present a brilliant synthesis of cantorial and jazz improvisation in such famous cantorial standards as the Hineni, Al Chet and Avinu Malkenu. Other recordings by David Chevan and the Afro-Semitic Experience are Let Us Break Bread Together, and This Is The Afro-Semitic Experience.

The Complete Selection of Prayers for Rosh-Hashana (Audio CD) ~ Cantor Josef Rosenblatt.
Cantor Yosef (Yossele) Rosenblatt is perhaps the best-known cantor of the "Golden Age of Hazzanut". Possessed of a magnificent dramatic tenor voice (for religious reasons he turned down an offer to sing with the Chicago Lyric Opera, as well as an offer of $100,000 to co-star with Al Jolsen in The Jazz Singer), Rosenblatt's style represents the pinnacle of the art of Eastern European cantorial singing, or Hazzanut. This digitally re-mastered recording presents several of Yossele's High Holiday compositions. Rosenblatt's stylistic mastery of hazzanut and his magnificent voice combine in this rare display of cantorial virtuosity and intense religious feeling. In addition to the international acclaim his singing brought him, Rosenblatt's compositions were so well loved that upon hearing his setting of Shir Ha-ma'alot, the poet Chaim Nachman Bialik suggested it as the national anthem of the Jewish people. This is the real thing.

Current Events:
Myths and Facts: A Guide to the Arab-Israeli Conflict. Mitchell G. Bard. American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise.
This book offers a point-by-point summary of the Arab-Israeli conflict. It begins with a historical survey discussing Israel's roots in the region, the role of the early Zionist movement, the British mandate and UN Partition Plans, continuing through the second Intafada. Other issues discussed are Palestinian (and Jewish) refugees, human rights in Israel and Arab lands, US Middle East policy and the Settlements. There is also a website which contains a very thorough online summary of Myths and Facts. It can be found at http://www.jsource.org/jsource/myths/preface.html

General Judaica:
Old Turtle (A Story by Douglas Wood; Watercolors by Cheng-Khee Chee). Douglass Wood, Scholastic Press, 1992.
In this beautiful fable for children of all ages, the world is beset by argument and confusion – until Old Turtle speaks. The book presents an eloquent reminder of the connection we all have to God, to the earth, and to one another. The watercolors by Cheng-Khee Chee make Old Turtle an especially nice gift for a young child. Winner of numerous children's book awards, including the ABBY Book of the Year, and American Booksellers' Association's Children's Book Award the American Booksellers' Association

Yiddish with Dick and Jane. Ellis Weiner and Barbara Davilman, Little, Brown and Company, 2004.
"See Jane schlep. Schlep, Jane. Schlep." A must-read for all who wish to use such Yiddish expressions as "oysgepilt", "tsedreyt in kop" and "gornisht" with authority and panache. This book is a real mechaye. Nu, so what kind of a book recommendation do you expect from a chochum like your haz'n? Though available only in hard cover, it's not so fancy-schmancy you'll have to handl with the gonif at Barnes and Noble for a decent price (kine-hora!). To quote the reviews: "You'll plotz. You'll kvell." I don't mean to hok you -- but a shanda if you don't rush out and buy it now! Emes.

Jewish Literacy: The Most Important Things to Know about the Jewish Religion, its People, and its History. Joseph Telushkin. Harper Collins, 2001.
One of a series by Telushkin. An excellent collection of short essays offering an overview of Judaism. Subjects headings include Jewish sacred texts, history, ethic and beliefs, holidays and ritual observances. Other books in the series are: Biblical Literacy; Jewish Wisdom; Jewish Humor; The Book of Jewish Values.
Back to the Sources: Reading the Classic Jewish Texts. Barry W. Holtz. Summit Books, 1984.
An in-depth study of the Bible and commentary to the Bible, including the Talmud, medieval exegesis, the Siddur, and later interpretative traditions.
To Be a Jew; A Guide to Jewish Observance in Contemporary Life. Hayim Donin. Basic Books, 1972.
A general discussion of Jewish living, traditional ritual observance, life cycle events, and family life.
A Guide to Jewish Religious Practice. Isaac Klein. The Jewish Theological Seminary of America, 1979.
A detailed, yet accessible guide to Jewish practice and law. Written from the perspective of the Conservative movement.

Jewish History:
From Time Immemorial: The Origins of the Arab-Jewish Conflict over Palestine. Joan Peters. HarperCollins, 1984.
"Under Construction".
A History of the Jews. Paul Johnson. Harper & Row, 1987.
A highly readable history of the Jewish people by a popular author.
A History of the Jewish People. Edited by H.H. Ben-Sasson. Harvard University Press, 1976.
A scholarly work presenting the religious, political, social and economic history of the Jewish people.

Jewish Theology and Philosophy:
For Those Who Can't Believe: Overcoming the Obstacles to Faith. Harold M. Schulweis, HarperPerennial, 1995.
"'For the believer there are no questions and for the unbeliever there are no answers' said Meachme Mendel, a rabbi of the nineteenth century. That conclusion does not accord with my own experiences. I have come to know many believers with profound doubts and many unbelievers with deep yearnings for serious answers."

So begins For Those Who Can't Believe: Overcoming the Obstacles to Faith by Rabbi Harold Schulweis. This is a book written for those exploring the boundaries of their religious identities, an indispensable book for those seeking spiritualism. A student of Mordecai Kaplan, the founder of the Reconstructionist Movement in Judaism, Rabbi Schulweis has been called one of the great spiritual leaders of our generation. He writes from a non-fundamentalist perspective, addressing almost every basic aspect of Judaism, such as: To Whom We Pray and For What; Miracles and Revelation: True or False?; In Search of Godliness; and Why Should I Be Religious?

HEALING OF SOUL, HEALING OF BODY: Spiritual Leaders Unfold the Strength & Solace in Psalms. Edited by Rabbi Simkha T. Weintraub, CSW, National Center for Jewish Healing/Jewish Lights Publishing.
For centuries, people have turned to the Book of Psalms for solace and comfort, seeking guidance, meaning, hope and reassurance -- in short, spiritual healing. The Hassidic master, Rabbi Nachman of Breslov (1772-1810) designated ten psalms as having a special power to bring a true and complete healing, R’fuat HaGuf (Healing of the Body), and R’fuat HaNefesh (Healing of the Spirit). Rabbi Nachman designated these ten psalms the Tikkun HaKlali, the Complete Remedy. These ten psalms are presented in this slender volume -- along with commentary by rabbis and spiritual leaders representing four movements in Judaism. The psalms and interpretations offer the reader a bridge to understanding these ancient poems of pain, praise, humility and hope. A source of solace and a healing resource for those facing illness, as well as for those who care for them.
The Bedside Torah : Wisdom, Visions, and Dreams. Bradley Shavit Artson. McGraw Hill, 2001.
A collection of short commentaries on each of the weekly Torah portions. Rabbi Artson, Dean of The Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies at the University of Judaism in Los Angeles, offers three highly readable and accessible commentaries on each week's parashah, preceeded by a concise summary of the week's Torah portion. A very enjoyable and inspiring intorduction to Torah commentary from a gifted contemporary rabbi and scholar.
Sacred Fragments: Recovering Theology for the Modern Jew. Neil Gillman. The Jewish Publication Society, 1990.
An excellent introduction to modern Jewish thought presented in a very readable manner.
Contemporary Jewish Theology, A Reader. Edited by Elliot N. Dorff & Louis E. Newman. Oxford University Press, 1999.
Essays written by pre- and post WWII twentieth century Jewish scholars on such topics as: the nature of God, Jewish Law, Covenant/Choseness, and faith after the Holocaust. An excellent introduction to contemporary Jewish thinking from a broad range of perspectives.
The Sabbath. Abraham Joshua Heschel. Farrah, Strous and Giroux, 1978.
A beautiful meditation on the nature and celebration of Shabbat written by one of the twentieth century's most widely respected Jewish philosophers. Other important works by Heschel include: God in Search of Man; Between God and Man.

Jewish Prayer:

Or Hadash; A Commentary on Sidur Sim Shalom for Shabbat and Festivals. Reuven Hammer. The Rabbincal Assembly (USCJ), 2003.
A commentary on the prayerbook Sidur Sim Shalom(available below), used by many congregations around the country. The extensive commentary and explanations of the prayer service are written by Rabbi Reuven Hammer, a highly respected author and liturgist. (He is also the author of Entering Jewish Prayer: A Guide to Personal Devotion and the Worship Service -- see below.)

Rabbi Hammer's commentary serves not only as a guide for the worshipper through the Shabbat and Fesitval liturgy. Or Hadash can serve, as well, as a guide to personal spiritual development through prayer. This is a welcome publication for the Conservative or Reform Jew, as previously the only available full commentary on the liturgy was the Art Scroll series, which, though a comprehensive and scholarly commentary, is presented from the Orthodox perspective. Or Hadash is highly recommended -- along with Etz Chayim(also available below), the RA's new Torah and Commentary published to replace the century-old Hertz Humash.
Entering Jewish Prayer: A Guide to Personal Devotion and the Worship Service. Reuven Hammer. Schocken Books, 1994.
A scholarly and inspirational discussion of Jewish liturgy and prayer practice. Includes excellent commentary on the liturgy from a modern Jewish perspective.
To Pray as a Jew: A Guide to the Prayer Book and the Synagogue Service. Hayim Donin. Basic Books, 1980.
A classic guide to Jewish prayer and observance. Excellent essays on important prayers in the liturgy, and on home ritual and observance.

Prayer Books:
Siddur Sim Shalom, For Shabbat and Festivals. The Rabbinical Assembly, 1999.
The most recent edition of the "official" Siddur of the Conservative movement. Contains historical notes and commentary and numerous contemporary English readings.

The Authorized Daily Prayer Book. Edited by Joseph Herz. Bloch Publishing Company.
A good siddur for home use. Edited by the former Chief Rabbi of Great Britain, this siddur contains daily, Sabbath and Festival liturgy, as well as home and life-cycle rituals. Extensive commentary and notes to the service are a bit dated, but interesting and useful.

Humashim:
Etz Chayim: Torah and Commentary. The Rabbinical Assembly, 2001.
The Humash contains the Five Books of Moses and weekly Haftarah readings. Published by the Conservative movement, Etz Chayim is already considered one of the most important Jewish publications of recent times. Contains a recent English translation of the Hebrew text, commentary from classic Jewish sources, as well from contemporary sources. Hebrew and English.
The Torah: A Modern Commentary. Edited by W. Gunther Plaut. UAHC.
A classic Humash, with commentary edited by one of the Reform movement's pre-eminent Biblical scholars.