Haikus for Jews: For You, a Little Wisdom (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "Five thousand years a wandering people-then we found the cabanas..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"Of all the many forms of Jewish-Japanese poetry, the Jewish haiku is perhaps the most sublimely beautiful," begins the foreword to the wickedly funny and tirelessly bizarre Haikus for Jews by David M. Bader. If you can't abide a little fun with stereotypes, read another book. But if you don't mind a little ribbing, take a look at the following haiku, which gives only a mild taste of the yummy-as-lox treats gathered in this collection: "Jewish voodoo tip -- / mention an acting career, / then watch for chest pain." And if you liked that, you'll love this: "Lightbulb out again -- / how many of us must meet / to change it this time?" And they just keep getting better.

Review

"There is no subject whatever that is not fit for haiku."
--basho

"This you call poetry?"
--yiddish proverb


From the Hardcover edition. --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Harmony; 1 edition (September 7, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 060960502X
• ISBN-13: 978-0609605028
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 4.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #97,846 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #18 in	Books > Literature & Fiction > Poetry > Japanese & Haiku
  #29 in	Books > Entertainment > Humor > Limericks & Humorous Verse
  #46 in	Books > Entertainment > Humor > Religion

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Jewish-Japanese Gem!, April 1, 2000

By	Alvin M. Chanin (Philadelphia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As an author of Jewish humor, I hate admitting anyone but me is funny, but Haikus for Jews had me roaring with laughter, and so did everybody that I gave a copy of the book to. This is a perfect gift to bring the hostess when you're invited to dinner. It's a lot cheaper and will last longer than a good bottle of wine ... unless one of the other dinner guests steals it. It is a perfect gift for anyone with a sense of humor. I loved it.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious, Quirky, Fun Book, February 3, 2001

By A Customer

This is a unique book. I haven't seen another one like it! Japanese imagery is intertwined with Jewish themes to create some highly original humor. It doesn't rely on stereotypes. It parodies old stereotypes and it includes new areas in its haikus. "No fins, no flippers... the gefilte fish swims with...some difficulty" or "Seven-foot Jews in ... the NBA slam-dunking... my alarm clock rings." Some of the poems are downright hilarious. All have a certain fun quality. I have given the book to countless people at this point, all of whom enjoyed it. Almost any intelligent reader will get it and sometimes even laugh out loud.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The poetry of Jewish Neurosis, October 29, 1999

By	Larry Mark "editor of MyJewishBooks.com" (nyc) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

So you thought I would / Write a Jewish haiku to / Sell this book. Guess not.

Bader, a Hahvahd Lawyer, and the author of"How to Be an Extremely Reform Jew" provides the essence of the faith in 5-7-5 / 17 syllable portions. Like the Japanese ahiku, the Jewish haiku (or CHAI-ku) includes 'a kigo', or a 'season word' hinting at a time of year. It is sheer genius. My favorites were one about a mohel pruning the growth in his garden and: Heimlich. Is that a / Jewish name? I wonder as / a diner turns blue.