Single Jewish Female: A Modern Guide to Sex and Dating [Mass Market Paperback]

Leah Furman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 7, 2004

There are plenty of books about being single, being female...and being both. But for Jewish women, balancing religious identity and dating can be a challenge.

In Single Jewish Female, dating expert Leah Furman gives frank advice on what it means to be Jewish in today's singles scene. Discussing everything from traditional marriage to sex on the wilder side, this unique guide addresses:

€ Inter-religious dating
€ Coping with family expectations
€ Where all the Jewish guys are hiding
€ How to tell parents about a non-Jewish boyfriend
€ Keeping kosher at trendy restaurants
€ Religion and sexual experimentation

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Shoyn Tsayt. It's about time someone put together a candid, thoughtful, representative book on dating for nice (and not so nice) Jewish girls. Though Furman, a 30-something author/lecturer on dating and life after college, intended to write something "witty, clever and caustic," she, like so many SJFs, found out that there wasn't much to laugh about. Her exhaustive research and insightful examples ensure that any Jewish girl will find something that evokes a smile of recognition. Anything but provincial, Furman quotes women from Tucson to Louisville as well as women from the "Jewtopias" of Chicago, L.A., Miami and New York. How-to's include cyber dating, speed dating and fixups. Her quizzes, though modeled after those found in popular women's magazines, tackle tough questions and require a deeper level of self-evaluation. Why or why not is interfaith dating appropriate? What about intra-faith dating? Throughout, she emphasizes that there is "no right or wrong way to be Jewish." Similarly, her balanced explanations of everything from the difference between categories of Jews (i.e., Orthodox, Reform, secular) to the sacred texts' stances on sexuality, accentuate the importance of knowing and being comfortable with oneself. Admirably not jaded, Furman informs without prejudice and coaches without callousness—all with sense of humor intact. SJFs everywhere should treat themselves to what could be a life-changing read.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Leah Furman is an author and lecturer who has appeared on many radio and television programs, including Good Morning America. Her previous books include The Everything Dating Book and The Everything After College Book.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Perigee Trade; 1st Perigee Pbk. Ed edition (September 7, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399530193
• ISBN-13: 978-0399530197
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,324,917 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Informative and a fun read!, October 16, 2004

By 

Shirley Priscilla Johnson "Author/Reviewer -... (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Single Jewish Female: A Modern Guide to Sex and Dating (Mass Market Paperback)

I have read and reviewed countless books on sex and dating, but this one was new to me and quite interesting.

The author, Leah Furman, approaches this topic for Jewish people. Now that is something fresh and new. She talks to them about their fears of dating outside their faith and what may happen if a relationship becomes serious in that area.

She openly discusses religious background and beliefs in connection with the dating game that we all play. She talks about family and their influence and even where you may find a nice Jewish guy. Now there is a plus.

In this work, you will find others that share their fears and also tell how they find remedies. I am not Jewish, but reading this book helped me to understand their beliefs more and it would truly be an asset for any single person of that faith to read.

Written in a fun but clear manner, the book can be referred to time and time again as the need arises. I believe all single Jewish people would definitely find this book to be a plus in their lives.

Shirley Johnson

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you, Leah, September 23, 2004

By 

Linda L. Baldanzi - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Single Jewish Female: A Modern Guide to Sex and Dating (Mass Market Paperback)

Finally! Finally a realistic and common sense approach to sex and dating in today's world. An easy read that's both humorous and significnatly helpfull in navigating the perils of sex and dating. You do not have to be Jewish to learn how to enjoy and respect your self and others better by reading this book. Leah has succeeded in lessening much of the anxiety found in sex and dating. Not only will your social life be easier for you, you will be able to improve the quality of all your friendships. I am a psychotherapist, and I have recommended this book to all. Linda Baldanzi

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A good concept, poorly executed, August 3, 2006

By 

hmf22 (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Single Jewish Female: A Modern Guide to Sex and Dating (Mass Market Paperback)

The concept of a dating-and-relationship guide that takes religious affinities seriously is a good one; the book itself is profoundly disappointing. For the most part, it's a light, straightforward guide to the contemporary dating scene, neither better nor worse than many similar books written for a secular audience. The religious content is aimed more at cultural Jews intent on marrying Jewish in order to have Jewish children than at those who are genuinely committed to building a religious Jewish marriage, home, and family. Furman's tendency to dodge substantive questions of observance, and some offensive overgeneralizations such as "Conservative [Jews] . . . bend the rules with wanton abandon," undermine the value of the book's specific religious content. Moreover, the book was poorly edited and is littered with comma splices and malapropisms such as "set one's sites on" that will annoy educated readers. It's fine for a light beach read, but I would recommend getting it from the library rather than investing in a copy of one's own.