What's Up with the Hard Core Jewish People? A Guide for Coping with Newly Observant Jews [Paperback]

Margery Isis Schwartz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2006

The true story of a casually Jewish family's struggle to cope with divisiveness caused when one son becomes an Orthodox Jew. Also an excellent reference source for people who want an easy and humorous way to learn about Judaism.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...beautifully written eloquent and respectful descriptions of why we [Orthodox Jews] do what we do." -- Azriela Jaffe, personal email

"I have been reading your book and want you to know that I really like it. It is a page-turner." -- Dr. Holly Schwartztol, Psychologist and author

"I'm on page 80 and can't stop laughing. Your book is a riot...!" -- Rabbi Yitzchak Greenman, Director of New York Aish HaTorah

My Catholic friend and her husband are absolutely loving your book. He predicts it will be a smash hit! --Dolores Moore, retired R.N.

From the Publisher

When I first received the manuscript from the author, I couldn't put it down. Even though my family is Protestant/Catholic, I was captivated by all of this information I had never known before. The Jewish religion is fascinating, as is the story of a Reform Jewish family trying to stay close with a son who becomes an Orthodox Jew. It’s an easy read and very informative, while entertaining you at the same time. The author’s coping mechanisms, for example, are unusual. " When we finally acknowledged the amount of courage, discipline, and determination it had required on Carter’s part to resist peer and parental pressure and adhere to living a Jewish life, it became clear to us that he was truly committed to following Torah. Our job was to go into what I refer to as ‘Xanax-mode’ (staying calm as if on this popular anti-depressant no matter how preposterous something sounds) and my new favorite word became ‘whatever.’"

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Product Details

• Paperback: 220 pages
• Publisher: Booklocker.com (February 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591139066
• ISBN-13: 978-1591139065
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,443,190 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

When our youngest son became a ba'al teshuva (newly Observant Jew) seemingly out-of-the-blue moon, we were blown away. I wanted to instantly know what the deal was with our son's drastic metamorphosis. But that wasn't possible because all of the information available is by people who are religious Jews. Half the time I can't understand what they're saying. I needed to understand Judaism and religious devotion on my terms, which is how this book came to be. It is the exact compendium of Jewish knowledge that I needed when our son became a ba'al teshuva. Please feel free to contact me at [e-mail].

Shalom,
Margery Schwartz

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I really wanted to like this book, October 3, 2006

By 

rivkah30 - See all my reviews

This review is from: What's Up with the Hard Core Jewish People? A Guide for Coping with Newly Observant Jews (Paperback)

As a Jew who "went hard core" close to 20 years ago, I really wanted to like this book. I wanted to be able to recommend it to my adult students who are in various stages of "going hard core" so they could share it with their families. While the author clearly loves her son, and she writes with a light touch, she often comes across as condescending, as with her frequent use of the dismissive phrase, "Whatever!" Although there are a few factual errors in the book, she clearly knows more about Judaism than the average American Jew. It's a shame her portrayal wasn't more sympathetic, even if an observant lifestyle isn't her cup of tea.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get the "4ll" on the Hard Core Jewish People, April 23, 2006

By 

Princess Leyah - See all my reviews

This review is from: What's Up with the Hard Core Jewish People? A Guide for Coping with Newly Observant Jews (Paperback)

As the mother of a Hard Core Jewish son who started this journey 8 years ago, I am so glad Margery Schwartz has written this book. It is so needed and would have made my education of this world so much simpler if it would have been available earlier, but thankfully it has arrived. Not only is it a resource book to guide you through this new and foreign landscape if you are not a "hardcore" but it is an amusing and sassy story that is so right on and keeps you entertained from beginning to end. I strongly recommend it for anyone who is interested in learning about this slice of life, or is actually living it and needs a helpful guide to make it through the day.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I had expected more, I suppose..., October 8, 2007

By 

N. W. De Kraker "yael" (Netherlands) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: What's Up with the Hard Core Jewish People? A Guide for Coping with Newly Observant Jews (Paperback)

I had hoped to read a more extensive account of what the writer went through when her son became "frum ". It is a kind of overview ,which is rather superficial and doesn't give me much insight into the mind of any of both parties .Of course , I agree , it is private - but nobody forced the writer to write this book , I think ?

I also could have done without half of the -slim- book being dedicated to explanation of basic Jewish words.

In short , there are ( when too few, I agree) better books on the subject.