Customer Reviews

The Jewish Phenomenon: Seven Keys to the Enduring Wealth of a People

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I have hesitated in writing a review for THE JEWISH PHENOMENON for some time now, the reason being the obviously controversial nature of this topic. As we all know, many have used Jewish success as a means of building propaganda against the Jewish people, saying that Jews are successful because they have robbed others of the ability to be successful. Further, there is some alleged inherent ability of Jews to make money, an ability the rest of us are not born with.... Well, THE JEWISH PHENOMENON shows that this is all wrong. What Jewish culture has is simply a very practical approach to life and money, an approach that can be emulated by people of any ethnicity, religion, national origin, etc. This approach is founded on the belief that money itself is not evil. In fact, Silbiger claims that in Judaism it is viewed as an honorable goal to want to be rich.

There's so much in THE JEWISH PHENOMENON that I'd like to comment on, but for sake of brevity I will focus on the points that had the greatest impact on me. Steven Silbiger makes it apparent that one of the keys to Jewish success is the freedom of the Jewish intellect (Jews make up merely 1% of the general population, but 20% of Nobel Prize winners are Jewish). Silbiger contrasts the religious Jewish upbringing with the Christian religious upbringing, noting that in religious classes Jewish children are encouraged to ask questions. Christian children are given answers and are often discouraged from asking questions - often, to question is the near occasion of sin, an indication of lack of faith (this was certainly my experience in Catholic school). This sets a vastly different foundation for the Jewish child versus the Christian child. Silbiger theorizes that the Jewish child will carry this attitude of questioning on into the rest of his life, and this leads to a willingness to look at situations in new ways, to try new things, to be an entrepreneur. (Interestingly, Silbiger claims that Jewish people, in defiance of the usual trend, typically become more liberal as their wealth increases.)

THE JEWISH PHENOMENON came into my life at a synchronistic time because I had just begun my study of the American education system, and Silbiger says that a reverence for education is one of the most important keys to Jewish success. In WHAT SMART STUDENTS KNOW, Adam Robinson argues that school distorts the learning process and has everything backwards: in the classroom setting it is usually teachers who ask the questions and students who give the answers. The problem with this system, Robinson says, is that the teachers are doing the hard part; it is in asking the questions that one is made to think. Knowing the "answers" is not as strenuous (it often entails mere memorization). Are you getting my point? Robinson says that if you want to be a smart student then you must realize that asking questions is more important than knowing the answers; Silbiger says that a key to Jewish success is a reverence for education, and Jewish people are usually encouraged from childhood to ask questions.

This is a highly enlightening work!

Andrew Olivo Parodi

At first, it was the title of this book, and the long line at one of the Border's bookstores that attracted me to this book.

And I am happy that I came back, a week later, because I knew that Steve Silbiger wrote something that would benefit me.

Many years ago, I had chosen to read what I called, "The Jewish Books." These included books by Leon Uris, Chaim Potok, Herman Wouk, and many others.

Back then, I was searching for what my cultural and family upbringing did not encourage in me, skills that I knew are taught in the Jewish life.

The "Jewish books", and the desires that I had, over the years, to become my best self, led me to not only become a strong journalist, but also someone who teaches speaking up and critical thinking skills, in my seminars.

In my upbringing, and in my culture, which is African-American, I had been taught to cut off my thoughts and feelings, in the face of authority figures. But a little voice inside of me, from as young as 5 years old said that I will not limit my true self.

I had decided that I could be Black, proud, and an expert on speaking through my own voice. And this certainly has paid off for me.

Having just read, "The Jewish Phenomenon," I am further along on my path. As a business owner who dares to be unique, I must push the envelop for the power that Jews see in being money conscious.

I am impressed with this book on many levels:
1. Steve Silbiger uses humor and concrete ideas to reinforce
his ideas
2. He points out the down side, as well, about the Jewish self-
esteem
3. He opened my eyes to the fact that Jews are labeled as being
of an ethnic group - I truly hadn't thought of them as such
4. In just under 200 pages there is so much that anyone could
gleem from, to find answers to questions that they have only
began to explore.

What I still have trouble with, having read this book is Steve Siulbiger's stance of ethnic jokes; yet, everyone one of the Jewish jokes in each of the chapters made me laugh, deeply.

This book is written for anyone who desires to endlessly grow, and to learn from people who have mastered skills in networking, beating the odds, and living within your mission.

Steve Silbiger's "The Jewish Phenomenon" was a real eye opener for me. I was raised in a close-knit Irish Catholic environment and rarely had contact with Jews or other non-Catholics as a child. I finally met, lived with, and made lifelong friends with Jews at Princeton (undergrad), Columbia (MBA), and in the work world. But even after these experiences as a university student and a working adult, I never really understood what Jewish culture was all about or what accounted for the great success of the Jewish people in the face of many serious threats they had encountered over the centuries. "The Jewish Phenomenon" has given me valuable insight into seven principles that have allowed Jews to contribute to society far beyond their numbers. Just as important, I can look at my own conservative, risk averse background and use the seven principles that Silbiger highlights to help improve my chances of entrepreneurial success as a small business owner in the computer technology field.

If you have an interest in becoming successful give this book a read. It takes no time to complete and gives plenty of suggestions to choose from on how to improve yourself professionally and that you can make a difference. For the Jewish Community it should be a required read. Several examples of how well off the Jewish Community is is illustrated in the book in order to explain how they have become so wealthy as a group. As a Gentile I found it to be enlightening as to how and what some of the differences are between the two religions just on a busniess level alone. You always think of the religious differences but not necessarily the other components of our lives, i.e. success in the business world. Please keep in mind this is not a religious book but rather a business book with stories of how the Jewish community is so successful in the world. Now we all know what the phenomenon is.

I have many Jewish friends and have always marveled at their verbal abilities. I read this book for some insight into these talents. The details of how to develop these things are missing, but overall it is good for general direction. Every night I question my kids about their day and beliefs and encourage them to explain to me their thoughts. Many reviewers have missed the point of this book, exclaiming that the scope should have been broader. Perhaps more description of Jewish sub-groups would have explained more but that does not diminish the value of this book.
This view into Jewish life is interesting as is the Yiddish dictionary at the end.

This book is written to help and educate Jews and people of other faiths alike. This book explains the reasons behind the past and current great success of Jewish People. It explains why this is so prevalent in the Jewish People, and their values concerning education and the use of money. This book will be a source of renewed Jewish pride for those Jews who have lost sight of, or never knew the extent of the contributions of the current Jewish population.

Steven Silbiger's "The Jewish Phenomenon" just published is brilliant. Never has anyone better told the story of nor made so understandable the extraordinary success of Jewish Americans individually and collectively. I do not know how his book will be received in the Jewish community but he should be lionized. Mr. Silbiger has been able to do what no one has done so well before lift the "mystery" from the unparalleled achievements of Jewish Americans for more than century. And what he tells us with riveting intelligence is there is no mystery (certainly no conspiracy whatever that means). At the individual level, at the family level, at the community level, and as he calls it the tribal level Jews "religiously" employ a series of principles to their lives and to their beliefs that virtually insures success. These accessible keys are available to all of us.

Beginning with a glorious introduction Steven Silbiger offers "seven keys to Jewish success" and spends the next 200 pages weaving a torah like tome to enchant anyone with any interest in the dynamics of success and community, and as Steven begins his book prophetically, by stating " .....this book can be applied to individuals and groups from any background." His fascinating thesis will only disappoint those who see their own imperfections magnified glaringly in the achievements of others.

Why are Jews so successful in a wide range of professions and industries? Steven Silberger says it has nothing to do with inherent genius, but rather is the result of certain Jewish cultural habits that non-Jewish people can emulate.

Silberger's book is arranged in seven chapters to highlight the seven traits he thinks helps Jews to be successful. Some of them -- such as "Successful People are Professionals and Entrepreneurs" -- are probably not that relevatory to those already looking to make a name for themselves, but others -- like "Develop your Verbal Confidence" -- might be useful for many Americans (who distrust a too easy facility with language).

Having previously read some of the source material that Silberger used for the "The Jewish Phenomenon", I was familiar with the successful track record of American Jews. But the catalogue of Jewish accomplishment he highlights here is still impressive, even to one already familiar with it. If you have no interest in reading self-help books, you still might find this book interesting for that reason alone.

I am from Los Angeles and I am half-Jewish. When I first purchased this book, I thought I was in for a treat. However, I was sorely disappointed. The author filled this book with pointless measures and statistics that seemed to repeat themselves in every chapter. The author also claims to outline how non-Jews can emulate the seven principles. However, he describes how to do this in less than two pages at the end of every chapter--There is not much detail or explanation. Moreover, it was fairly obvious that Silbiger had an intention to fix, change, and debunk all of the common Jewish stereotypes, as if his book alone would cause some sort of shift in the manner that Jewish people are viewed by the rest of the world.
I am very proud of my Jewish background, and this book is nothing more than a love letter from one Jewish person to the rest of the Jewish community.
Borrow this book from someone whom already owns it or look for it in your local library, but I would not recommend that you purchase it. If you desire success, I would highly recommend reading up on writings by Napoleon Hill, Robert E. Quinn, and Tracy Goss.

This book wasn't what I thought it was going to be. I thought the text would be a little more concrete. The book focused on various topics of Jewish success, but I wasn't interested in the Jewish comedy part. Although making a point, it was just too long.

However, I walked away with several pointers concerning why Jewish people are successful. I especially appreciated the advice about how Jewish folks mastered in areas they were typically shut out. I also enjoyed the verbal confidence chapter.

I gave this book to my son to read and to my surprise he found the book to be interesting and said he would apply some of the practices mentioned in the book.