Converting to Judaism - a personal book list

A Listmania! list by Ger Toshav (Los Angeles, CA)
The list author says: "These are the books that I'm using during my conversion program. The first book, Jewish Literacy, was required by the Rabbi. The others I have purchased on my own. It is by no means an exhaustive list, just my personal--and growing--inventory... If you are considering conversion to Judaism, speak with a Rabbi about Introduction to Judaism classes in your area and then buy a new bookshelf, you'll need it!"
Jewish Literacy: The Most Important Things to Know About the Jewish Religion, Its People and Its History
1.  Jewish Literacy: The Most Important Things to Know About the Jewish Religion, Its People and Its History by Joseph Telushkin
The list author says:
  "The primary text book for my course. Very comprehensive, covering thousands of years Jewish history, practice and holidays, as well as modern issues. I couldn't put it down."
Used & New from: $2.89
4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (81 customer reviews)

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Gates of Shabbat: Shaarei Shabbat: A Guide for Observing Shabbat
2.  Gates of Shabbat: Shaarei Shabbat: A Guide for Observing Shabbat by Mark Dov Shapiro
The list author says:
  "A Shabbat newbie's guide to observance. A Reform approach. Very easy to follow, transliterated Hebrew for easy pronunciation. I used this guide to plan my first Shabbat and I still use it to recite Kiddush."
Used & New from: $0.61
4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)

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Etz Hayim: Torah and Commentary; Travel-size
3.  Etz Hayim: Torah and Commentary; Travel-size by David L. Lieber
The list author says:
  "Great "pocket size" translation with English and Hebrew. I found it's great to have multiple copies of Torah with commentary; the different takes on the same passages are fascinating and speak to the heart of Jewish interprative tradition. The Torah is arguably the most important book in Judaism."
$19.80   Used & New from: $12.00
4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)

Essential Torah: A Complete Guide to the Five Books of Moses
4.  Essential Torah: A Complete Guide to the Five Books of Moses by George Robinson
The list author says:
  "A helpful commentary to read along with your copy of the Torah (see Etz Hayim below) or simply by itself. I actually read this book cover to cover before I even cracked the Torah itself."
$25.55   Used & New from: $3.90
5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)

Hebrew-English Tanakh Student Edition
5.  Hebrew-English Tanakh Student Edition by Jewish Publication Society of America
The list author says:
  "Tanakh is composed of the Pentateuch (the Torah--5 books Moses), the Nevi'im (Prophets), and the Kethuvim (Writings). It contains side-by-side Hebrew with modern English translation. Get yourself a copy of the Tanakh!"
$29.70   Used & New from: $15.84
4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (60 customer reviews)

Studies in Bereshit (Genesis : in the Context of Ancient and Modern Jewish Bible Commentary)
6.  Studies in Bereshit (Genesis : in the Context of Ancient and Modern Jewish Bible Commentary) by Nehama Leibowitz
The list author says:
  "This book is recommended as a study aid in "Essential Torah" by George Robinson. It's a hefty work of commentary soley concentrated on Genesis (which oddly enough, Amazon won't let me type the Hebrew name because it thinks the name contains a bad word!).

The author has published a "Studies in..." commentary collection book for each of the 5 books in the Pentateuch."
Used & New from: $49.00

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Paths of Faith: The New Jewish Prayer Book for Synagogue and Home : For Weekdays, Shabbat, Festivals & Other Occasions (Multilingual Edition)
7.  Paths of Faith: The New Jewish Prayer Book for Synagogue and Home : For Weekdays, Shabbat, Festivals & Other Occasions (Multilingual Edition) by Chaim Stern
The list author says:
  "The prayer book/siddur. Reform. You'll need a siddur when you start attending Synagogue. However, I found that this particular edition is not always used--it's a "gender neutral" and very modern. Many congregations use an older version, all in Hebrew."
$24.95   Used & New from: $12.95
3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)

Liberal Judaism
8.  Liberal Judaism by Eugene B Borowitz
The list author says:
  "A great summary of the Jewish Liberal (Reform) tradition. If you're converting Reform--as I'm doing--this is a must-read."
$14.95   Used & New from: $1.64
5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)

Choosing a Jewish Life: A Handbook for People Converting to Judaism and for Their Family and Friends
9.  Choosing a Jewish Life: A Handbook for People Converting to Judaism and for Their Family and Friends by Anita Diamant
The list author says:
  "If you're not sure where to start, what Judaism is all about, how conversion works--this is the book for you."
$10.17   Used & New from: $4.76
4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (50 customer reviews)

What is a Jew?
10.  What is a Jew? by Morris N. Kertzer
The list author says:
  "This is the book that I gave to my mother to help explain what Judaism is all about. Buy it for anyone who wants to understand what you're going through."
$13.59   Used & New from: $1.36
4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)

Conversion to Judaism: A Guidebook
11.  Conversion to Judaism: A Guidebook by Lawrence J. Epstein
The list author says:
  "Great overview of what conversion means, and what it entails. It was one of the first books I bought on the subject many years ago."
$38.06   Used & New from: $11.07
5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)

Everyman's Talmud: The Major Teachings of the Rabbinic Sages
12.  Everyman's Talmud: The Major Teachings of the Rabbinic Sages by Abraham Cohen
The list author says:
  "A great, easy to digest way to dive into the teachings of the Talmud."
$12.24   Used & New from: $6.50
4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (29 customer reviews)

To Life: A Celebration of Jewish Being and Thinking
13.  To Life: A Celebration of Jewish Being and Thinking by Harold S. Kushner
The list author says:
  "Recommended by a Rabbi in an early conversion interview. The author, Harold S Kushner (a rabbi and author of the bestseller "When Bad Things Happen to Good People") offers concise and enthusiastic exploration of what it means to be Jewish: holidays, rituals, anti-semetism in the world, Israel, worship and more."
$10.19   Used & New from: $0.50
4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (29 customer reviews)

Finding God: Ten Jewish Responses
14.  Finding God: Ten Jewish Responses by Rifat Sonsino
The list author says:
  "Another Rabbi recommendation--he wanted me to read about the many diverse (and often conflicting) opinions regarding the Jewish understanding of God."
Used & New from: $0.01
3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)

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Jewish Holiday Traditions: Joyful Celebrations from Rosh Hashanah to Shavuot
15.  Jewish Holiday Traditions: Joyful Celebrations from Rosh Hashanah to Shavuot by Linda Burghardt
The list author says:
  "Great overview of Jewish Holidays and how to celebrate them.  Recipes, celebration ideas, etc. I received this just in time for Shavuot."
Used & New from: $3.61
5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)

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Aleph Isn't Tough: An Introduction to Hebrew for Adults, Book 1 (Teachers Edition)
16.  Aleph Isn't Tough: An Introduction to Hebrew for Adults, Book 1 (Teachers Edition) by Linda Motzkin
The list author says:
  "Good intro to learning Hebrew. It can be challenging to learn Hebrew as an adult, this is a great introduction."
$11.53   Used & New from: $6.21
4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)

How to Be a Jewish Parent: A Practical Handbook for Family Life
17.  How to Be a Jewish Parent: A Practical Handbook for Family Life by Anita Diamant
The list author says:
  "If you plan to raise Jewish children, I highly recommend this book. I've referred back to it many times."
Used & New from: $3.97
4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)

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Classic Bible Stories for Jewish Children
18.  Classic Bible Stories for Jewish Children by Alfred J. Kolatch
The list author says:
  "My son (7 years old) listened with rapt attention to the stories. The art work feels a bit dated, but that's my only criticism. Many of the stories were new to me, as well, coming from a fairly non-religious background. All in all, it is a book that we enjoyed together; it also led to some broader discussions regarding the deeper themes of the Torah and Judaism."
$10.17   Used & New from: $4.90
4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)

Sound the Shofar!: A Story for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
19.  Sound the Shofar!: A Story for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur by Leslie Kimmelman
The list author says:
  "I bought this to help my children understand Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur."
$14.39   Used & New from: $2.47
4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)

On Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur (Aladdin Picture Books)
20.  On Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur (Aladdin Picture Books) by Cathy Goldberg Fishman
The list author says:
  "Another kid's book to help understand High Holidays ritual, observance and tradition."
$6.99   Used & New from: $0.39
5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)

When Children ask about God: A Guide for Parents Who Don't Always Have All the Answers
21.  When Children ask about God: A Guide for Parents Who Don't Always Have All the Answers by Harold S. Kushner
The list author says:
  "As a father of two young children, this book really helped to answer questions, from a Jewish perspective, that my son was already starting to ask: inquiring kid-type questions about God, death, good and evil and more."
$11.01   Used & New from: $0.15
5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)

How to Keep Kosher: A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding Jewish Dietary Laws
22.  How to Keep Kosher: A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding Jewish Dietary Laws by Lise Stern
The list author says:
  "A guide to the Jewish dietary laws."
$19.96   Used & New from: $4.50
4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)

The Book of Customs: A Complete Handbook for the Jewish Year
23.  The Book of Customs: A Complete Handbook for the Jewish Year by Scott-martin Kosofsky
$21.89   Used & New from: $7.38
4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)

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About this Listmania!

 

Author

Ger Toshav (Los Angeles, CA)
Qualifications: Conversion candidate

List Stats

Last updated: 3/24/08
Read: 774 times
Rated: 11 out of 11 helpful

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