So Strange My Path: A Spiritual Pilgrimage [Paperback]

Abraham Carmel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1997 | ISBN-10: 0819700401 | ISBN-13: 978-0819700407 | Edition: 1 ed

It is unusual if not unique for an established Catholic Priest to forsake Christianity and convert to Judaism. So Strange My Path reveals the inside story of the former Father Kenneth Cox who embarked upon a dramatic spiritual journey to the Jewish faith. The author, Abraham Carmel, vividly describes his agonizing period of doubt, his courage and conviction to deny his former religion, and the many obstacles he had to overcome in order to achieve his spiritual goal. After five years of probation and intensive study, Mr. Carmel was received by the London Beth Din (Court of the Chief Rabbi) as a proselyte. An observant Jew, Abraham Carmel personified the rare rabbinic type of a Ger Tzedek - the proselyte of righteousness - who is admitted into the Jewish faith because of a sincere desire to adopt Jewish values and ideals.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Bloch Pub Co; 1 ed edition (May 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0819700401
• ISBN-13: 978-0819700407
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,999,645 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Conversion to Judaism, May 9, 2002

By 

Maria M. Thompson (Baltimore, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: So Strange My Path: A Spiritual Pilgrimage (Paperback)

In the process of finding my way from the Episcopal Church to life as a Jew, this is one of the most power things that I read and re-read. It gives one an idea of where to go when the idea that Jesus was God incarnate no longer holds. I have recommended this book to everyone I have met on the path to conversion, and others with crises of faith, for over 25 years. It is still one of my most beloved books.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A remarkable man, June 15, 2003

By 

Jeffrey S. Ben-Zvi, MD (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: So Strange My Path: A Spiritual Pilgrimage (Paperback)

A convoluted and strange path indeed.

Mr. Carmel, of blessed memory found his spritual home in a most unlikely place, and only after diligent search and much discouragement: from his family, his colleagues, and for quite some time, from the community he sought to join. He found joy and contentment as a high school English teacher. To hear Shakespeare from his mouth was an experience, but to be privileged to have known him well and to have been one of his students was a singular honor. Shunned for the most part by his family, he never married; his funeral was so large that traffic and bus lines had to be diverted for the crowd that assembled outside the Yeshivah of Flatbush High School. Such was the measure of the love his students and his adopted People had for him.
A remarkable man.
May his memory be for a blessing.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Touched by this gentle soul, April 11, 2001

By 

Jeffrey Eisenberg "Author, Persuasion Archite... (Brooklyn, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: So Strange My Path: A Spiritual Pilgrimage (Paperback)

The story of Mr. Carmel's spiritual journey is very worthwhile reading. His strange path from Anglican priest, to Roman Catholic priest and subsequent conversion to Judaism is well told. His modest, gentle and generous nature will come through to any reader. Plus it's very well written. After all he spent the latter part of his life as an English teacher.

I had the priviledge of meeting this wonderful gentleman, may he rest in peace. I approached him, and got to know him, because I found his story fascinating. Unfortunately he retired from teaching at my high school before I could formally become his student.