From Publishers Weekly
Clearly-at times beautifully-written, Why Be Jewish? does not claim to be a rigorous theological analysis or a detailed guide to Jewish practice. Instead it is "a personal portrait of faith for those who are searching," written for Jews who wish to know more about Judaism, for non-Jews who may be thinking of marrying a Jew or for those who are simply curious. Wolpe, who teaches at the University of Judaism in Los Angeles, uses Judaism as a grounding point for a general spiritual quest. He emphasizes that Jews are bound together throughout history by their belief in one God, their resilience and their great gifts to culture. Judaism, he says, as "a religion of joy and affirmation in spite of the sufferings of the Jewish people," honors all features of being human, stresses the importance of deeds as a sign of faith and rejoices in the personal, deep involvement of God.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Judaism shares in the rebirth of interest in traditional religions and, as Wolpe presents it, welcomes that interest in order to both bring secular Jews back to the faith and make converts. In his clear and welcoming primer, Wolpe says a person chooses Judaism "To Grow in Soul," "To Join a People," and "To Seek God," as the titles of his three chapters state. Much of what Wolpe imparts--Judaism's joyousness, dedication to good works, love of learning, community solidarity, concern for justice--will be familiar; other aspects of the religion, particularly the open nature of the Jewish sense of being chosen by God, will pack the power of pleasant surprise for many. Some Christians, especially members of the peace churches (Mennonites, Quakers, Brethren), may think they have heard lots of this sermon before. They have: a great deal of it is bedrock Christianity.
Ray Olson
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
