Choosing Judaism (Paperback)

by Lydia Kukoff (Author) "During the years that I've been working with those who have chosen Judaism, I have come to see that Judaism is attractive to people of..." (more)
Key Phrases: New York, Yom Kippur, Jewish Lights Publishing (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
In print for over 20 years, Choosing Judaism has become a classic guide for individuals considering conversion. By sharing her own story, Lydia Kukoff has created a truly remarkable work about what it means to make this significant choice. Kukoff gives the reader a fresh perspective on the issues that face converts every day: dealing with your non-Jewish and Jewish family, creating your own Jewish community, and looking toward the future in your new Jewish faith. Years after her own conversion, she continues to question, grow, and learn, and encourages others to do the same.

Choosing Judaism is an essential resource for every convert to Judaism, people just beginning their own journeys of becoming Jewish, and their loved ones. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: UAHC PRESS (November 1981)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807401501
• ISBN-13: 978-0807401507
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,301,459 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyed it very much, July 10, 2004

By	F. Prado "curlytaz" (California, USA.) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am a bit surprised about the other reviews, and since I checked out the Amazon reviews before reading the book, I decided not to buy it and instead borrowed it from the library. I will buy it now, not because it is a "must have" reference book - it is not- but because it left me with such a nice feeling I want to have the book in my new and growing Jewish library.

I am attending an Intro to Judaism class and I am considering conversion. I am reading others books as well, as required by my Rabbi. BECOMING JEWISH by Rabbi Ronald H. Isaacs is the "nuts and bolts" of conversion type of book, if you are looking for one. It goes into detail about the conversion ceremony itself, and key info about the whole process. It is true that Lydia Kukoff's book is not this kind of "nuts and bolts" book (although it does address some of the basic steps), but this is precisely why I don't sit down and enjoy reading the Isaacs book, I just refer to it as I need to, while I did truly enjoy reading Lydia Kukoff's book.

I enjoyed all the quotes through out the book of feelings expressed by other people going through the conversion process. Many of them spoke to my heart and reflected some of my own feelings, others were much different from my experience but I enjoyed learning about them too.

Unlike the other reviewers, I enjoyed that the book is short and I don't agree that it is a "light and simple" read. I found myself stopping many times to ponder my feelings and delve a little deeper into this intense process that is religious conversion: to take on a new aspect of your identity. I did finish it in two days, but I am still thinking about it and things I read in it.

So if you are considering conversion, do not write off this book. At least borrow it from the library and see if it speaks to your sensibilities.

I also recommend To Live! by Rabbi Kushner. A wonderful book for the seeker and for the born-Jew alike.

"Where people truly wish to go, there their feet will manage to take them"
( From the Talmud, quoted in Kukoff's CHOOSING JUDAISM)

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not the book to read on the subject, November 17, 2001

By	Sabrina Eyal (Nashville, TN) - See all my reviews

This was the very first book I read on the subject, when my (now) husband and I were just beginning to discuss marriage. We had been learning about our religious traditions to see if we could create a family together. I read this book as the very first step toward the consideration of conversion. What a mistake. This book, though it does its best to try to make you feel one with Jewish people (which of course is very important), also served to make me feel that the decision to do so would pretty much alienate me from my spiritual past and my own family. And the book does not attempt to deal with this alienation, except for a few suggestions about how to incorporate your parents into life cycle ceremonies. For anyone who has mainly positive memories about their own family, their own religious upbringing and religious Christian holidays, this is not the book to read. It only served to make me feel the pain of what I would lose rather than the joy of what I would gain. I highly recommend Anita Diamant's book on the same subject, Choosing a Jewish Life. I found it much more positive and full of much more useful information.

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars a book for rainy days, July 4, 2000

By	lime_paradise (Adairsville, Georgia USA) - See all my reviews

This book is basically about several people telling how their decision to convert to Judaism came about and what they actually experienced compared to what they expected.It is light, easy reading - nothing complicated.The reason I gave it only 3 stars is because I feel that it lacks enthusiasm. It has a tendency to be a little dry.If you're looking for basic info on Judaism,look elsewhere. But if you're looking for a book to curl up with on a rainy day,this may be just what you're looking for -a low key easy read.It does have a small glossery of some Jewish words but nothing that you couldn't find elsewhere.It would perhaps make a nice gift but again,the excitement or enthusiasm of a new convert is just not conveyed.Forgiving that one point,it is in general a good book that I would buy again.