Customer Reviews

The Art of Public Prayer: Not for Clergy Only

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I was not endeared to this book as it seemed to present concepts that are a stylized presentation of common sense. It is also a good example of a fifty page book that the publisher expanded to 250 pages. Fortunately the author highlighted the important points. The rest is all anecdote. I would recommend reviewing the bold print and only reading the chapters if the concepts are not familiar. As part of a seminary recommendation, I thought it was a light-weight.

As an active member in two synagogues, I see the problems that Mr. Hoffman illustrates within his book. I see first hand the decline of membership in the shuls throughout the local area. But, at the same time, I also see a rebirth of some sorts of worship. Mr. Hoffman speaks about how to alter the service, and make it more interesting. Yet, I feel the most important way to get people into these houses of worship is not to exactly change the format, but to change one's family life. Mr. Hoffman does have very valid points, although if you infuse a spiritually traditional home with a warm loving home, you'll automatically solve some of the many problems as Hoffman illustrates in this book.