Taking Judaism Personally : Creating a Meaningful Spiritual Life [Hardcover]

Judy Petsonk (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1996

Many Jews have given up on standard Jewish observance. They find it inaccessible or unable to meet their spiritual needs. But the lively, concerned, and creative people in the vanguard of Jewish renewal have interpreted traditional Jewish sources with an innovative eye--forging new ways of practicing their religion. Petsonk tells the stories of these people.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Petsonk has written an account of her spiritual odessey through the uniquely American "Havurah" Judaism that originated in the 1960s. Raised in a tepid Jewish reform environment, Petsonk sensed a deep spiritual pull while working as a young rookie reporter in Dayton, Ohio, and began her life-long association with experiential Judaism. Over the years, she became acquainted with most of the founders of the Havurah movement?Max Tichtin and Michael Waskow, among others?and provides exceptional insight into their charismatic leadership. She captures the fervor, passion, and sense of community of Havurah, as well as its ambiguities and lack of direction. The Havurah may be fading, since a new generation has not replaced the original leaders. Petsonk succeeds in encapsulating the spirit and style of a fascinating aspect of American Judaism.?Carol R. Glatt, VA Medical Ctr. Lib., Philadelphia
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Judaism has not proved immune to the holistic, inward-looking spiritualism of much contemporary religious practice. Petsonk articulately describes the resulting innovations. Yet in presenting how prayer, meditation, mysticism, and rituals can be adapted to suit contemporary perspectives, she steers refreshingly clear of New Age rhetoric. Drawing primarily on her own and friends' experiences, she discusses the communitarian havurah movement that began in the 1960s and how it came to incorporate the social and political causes of the ensuing decades. Her book is most valuable for the chapters describing the different ways that Jewish gays and feminists--groups traditionally scorned by many doctrinaire congregations--are able to explore and take pride in their religious identity. The appended comprehensive directory of Jewish social action networks, archives, educational institutions, and publications will greatly help those who want to follow through with the changes Petsonk chronicles. Aaron Cohen

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 338 pages
• Publisher: Free Pr (September 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 068482809X
• ISBN-13: 978-0684828091
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,324,992 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Meaningful but at times Meandering, May 17, 2002

By 

zombie64 "zombie64" (Washington, D.C.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Taking Judaism Personally : Creating a Meaningful Spiritual Life (Hardcover)

Judy Petsonk's narrative of how people have chosen to make Judaism meaningful in their lives is at once extremely personal, and very interesting.

At times, Judy goes too much into detail regarding the internal politics of particular Jewish organizations, or particular individuals, thus threatening to lose the reader's attention. You wonder why you need to know some of the things she describes.

Keep reading, however, because you discover a myriad of delightful ways in which people demonstrate their faith. In addition, Judy's descriptions of the various events and movements in contemporary American Judaism is an important history lesson all its own. "Taking Judaism Personally" is a marvelous tribute to a living, vibrant religion.

5.0 out of 5 stars An introduction to Jewish Renewal, December 27, 2000

By 

J. Garrett (Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Taking Judaism Personally : Creating a Meaningful Spiritual Life (Hardcover)

I picked up a copy of this book in a used bookstore and it began my journey back to Judaism. For the list of references alone, this book is fantastic!