Lifecycles Vol. 2: Jewish Women on Biblical Themes in Contemporary Life [Hardcover]

Debra Orenstein (Editor), Jane Rachel Litman (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1997

Recent years have seen an explosion of interest in spirituality and religious texts, as well as an exciting expansion of women's participation and leadership in Jewish life. This unique two-volume collaboration brings together women writers, rabbis, and scholars to create the first comprehensive work on Jewish lifecycle that fully includes women's perspectives.

Lifecycles, V2 explores the impact biblical texts have on our lives--and the impact our lives have on those texts. It delves into the human themes found both in the first five books of the Bible, and in women's lives today, themes of:

Genesis--Our roots and beginnings, family and home Exodus--Transformations to freedom, holiness, and Torah Leviticus--Food and sacrifice, health and the body, sexuality, the power of words Numbers--Creating community in times of transition Deuteronomy--Leadership, law, and re-visioning the future

With a rich diversity of voices, the contributors show us how to understand the power of biblical texts, and then how to use those texts to find our own connections of self, spirit and community.

Introductions by Orenstein and Litman offer a broader context for the concepts explored in each section, and an afterword provides further advice on "Engaging with Torah," including a section on how to create a midrash. In a personal, insightful, and creative style, Lifecycles, V2 opens opportunities for us to grow from the intersection of the texts of our heritage and the lessons of our lives.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A marvelous anthology of essays, poetry, text interpretation, and challenging insights which provides all readers, male and female alike, with a wealth of material to fortify us on our own spiritual journeys." -- Norman J. Cohen, Provost, Hebrew Union College; author, Self Struggle & Change: Family Conflict Stories in Genesis

"An extraordinary collection...illuminates the Bible through the prism of the experience of Jewish women....A 'must' for all who cherish serious Torah scholarship as it relates to the life experience of contemporary Jewish women and men." -- Dr. Rela Mintz Geffen, Professor of Sociology, Gratz College; editor, Celebration and Renewal: Rites of Passage in Judaism

"An indispensable resource for all people for whom the Hebrew Bible remains a privileged place to meet the Living God." -- Dr. Rosemary Radford Ruether, Garrett Theological Seminary

"Both the process and content are extraordinary and transformative....I did, and I imagine most people will, emerge richer as a human being." -- Rabbi Arthur Waskow, Pathfinder of ALEPH Alliance for Jewish Renewal; author, Down-to-Earth Judaism and Godwrestling--Round 2

From the Back Cover

An extraordinary collection...illuminates the Bible through the prism of the experience of Jewish women....A must for all who cherish serious Torah scholarship as it relates to the life experience of contemporary Jewish women and men. Dr.Rela Mintz Geffen, Professor of Sociology, Gratz College; editor, Celebration and Renewal: Rites of Passage in Judaism

A marvelous anthology of essays, poetry, text interpretation, and challenging insights which provides all readers, male and female alike, with a wealth of material to fortify us on our own spiritual journeys.
Norman J. Cohen, Provost, Hebrew Union College; author, Self, Struggle & Change: Family Conflict Stories in Genesis

An indispensable resource for all people for whom the Hebrew Bible remains a privileged place to meet the Living God.
Dr. Rosemary Radford Ruether, Garrett Theological Seminary

Both the process and content are extraordinary and transformative....I did, and I imagine most people will, emerge richer as a human being. Rabbi Arthur Waskow, Pathfinder of ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal; author, Down-to-Earth Judaism and Godwrestling Round 2

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 464 pages
• Publisher: Jewish Lights Pub (January 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 187904515X
• ISBN-13: 978-1879045156
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,372,594 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Rabbi Debra Orenstein is renowned as a teacher and scholar-in-residence across North America, regularly speaking at synagogues, universities, and conventions. She is the spiritual leader of Congregation B'nai Israel in Emerson, New Jersey, and has taught in the rabbinical, graduate school, undergraduate, conversion, and continuing education programs at the American Jewish University in Los Angeles, California. Her official website is at www.RabbiDebra.com.

She received her training at Princeton University (A.B. summa cum laude), University of Judaism (B.H.L.), The Jewish Theological Seminary of America (M.A. and ordination), The Neighborhood Playhouse, and The Meisner-Carville School (Two-year Program). She completed an internship in pastoral psychiatry at The Jewish Theological Seminary.

Rabbi Orenstein is the author or editor of five books, including the award-winning Lifecycles book series: Lifecycles 1: Jewish Women on Life Passages and Personal Milestones, Lifecycles 2: Jewish Women on Biblical Themes in Contemporary Life, and the forthcoming Lifecycles 3: Jewish Women on Holy Days and Communal Celebrations. She co-authored From Generation to Generation, a collection of sermons and Bible commentaries, with her grandfather, Rabbi Israel Mowshowitz. Her spoken word albums include the titles Transformation Now, Compassion Constantly, and Awe Always. She has also written essays for The Jewish Journal of Los Angeles, The New Jersey Jewish Standard, The New York Jewish Week, The Women's Prophets Commentary (2004), Etz Hayim Humash (2001), and The Tallit (forthcoming), among others. She will be a keynote speaker and instructor at the 2012 Rabbinic Training Institute. Debra's rabbinate represents both the inherited tradition and its flexibility in every age. A seventh generation rabbi, she is also an alumna of the first entering class at The Jewish Theological Seminary to include women.

A frequent guest on radio and television, Rabbi Orenstein has appeared on dozens of media outlets, including as a repeat guest on WOR Radio, New York; Jewish Television Network; Good Day LA (Fox Television); and KABC Radio, Los Angeles. She was the spiritual leader of Congregation Makom Ohr Shalom in Tarzana, California for 14 years before returning to her home state of New Jersey. She also "worked her way through rabbinical school" as an actress, and has appeared in a handful of films and numerous stage productions.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Treasure trove, run to buy it for all your friends!, February 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Lifecycles Vol. 2: Jewish Women on Biblical Themes in Contemporary Life (Hardcover)

Rabbi Orenstein has done it again. Her book of essays on the Torah through the eyes of Jewish women is a significant contribution to Biblical scholarship which has heretofore been male-centered. The essays offer provocative and interesting new perspectives which enrich our reading of the sacred text and fortify us in our sense of connection to the tradition. A wonderful book by very talented authors and editors!