Bloomfield Avenue: A Jewish-Catholic Jersey Girl's Spiritual Journey (Paperback)

by Linda Mercadante (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
When Mercadante misses the neighborhood where she grew up, she watches reruns of The Sopranos. Newark's Bloomfield Avenue, site of numerous scenes in the TV series, was where her Italian immigrant father brought his New York Jewish bride shortly after World War II. "Mixed marriages" were scandalous in those days, and the couple dealt with their differences by virtually banning religion from their home—"the worst solution of all," according to their daughter, because "children are naturally spiritual." Hungry for God's approval, Mercadante was baptized twice; first at age eight in Sacred Heart Cathedral, then in her 20s at L'Abri, Francis Schaeffer's evangelical center in Switzerland. Eager to assimilate into the wider American culture, she became a reporter, accumulated awards and earned advanced degrees, despite struggles with infertility, domestic violence and gender-based barriers. "We don't take girls in management," an airline recruiter told her, "but you'd make a great airline stewardess." Now an ordained Presbyterian minister and a theology professor at a Methodist seminary, Mercadante concludes her colorful and compelling memoir with a dash of American optimism: "No matter how many dreams smash in front of you, if you follow the lure of love, God will use that love to make you whole." (Oct.)
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Product Description
In this memoir, Mercadante tells her quest for religious identity, a real home, good work, and a one-faith family. Born to a mixed-religion family, she tries Catholicism, a WASP sorority, atheism, Eastern mysticism, and vegetarianism. Her story holds key lessons for people from mixed backgrounds, those who long for the ideal family, and those who shun religion as a dead-end.

Product Details

• Paperback: 212 pages
• Publisher: Cowley Publications (October 25, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561012785
• ISBN-13: 978-1561012787
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,024,421 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bread for the journey, October 11, 2006

By	Bonnie Forsman (Ohio) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

When I got home from school Wednesday night I had a wonderful surprise waiting for me...Linda Mercadante's delightful book. I ordered it in August and in the crush of semester demands had forgotten about it. I was happy it had come and decided I would look forward to reading it at the end of the semester. But then Friday night I picked it up and started to read it. It was late and I was tired but as soon as I woke up the next day I started reading. I finally got out of my pajamas around 1 p.m. and finished it by 2 p.m. For me, the bread of life is always best found in books that share the gifts and graces of life's beautiful journey. This is one such book. Many things about it inspired me and have left me pondering. I love the description of bakery food as a "liturgical year in food." And I found Mercadante's recognition that she no longer needed to rely on "someone else's pats and hats," as particularly confirming. I found myself often stopping to consider my own situation as she described her journey and wrestlings. I wonder, am I free? Do I ask the questions I need to ask and do I challenge the people I need to challenge like my classmates and friends? I hung on every word as she described her marriage to an abusive alcoholic. I want to believe in the possibility of wholeness for people whose illness and choices lead to such distruction, yet I do not want to be in complicity with evil. Mercadante's book has given me a lot to think about. It was a beautiful and inspiring read and I am so thankful that she has shared her journey. I will look forward to getting copies for my mother and sister for Christmas.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars One woman's struggles, November 8, 2006

By	armchairinterviews.com (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

Bloomfield Avenue in Newark is where Linda Mercadante grew up. Linda grew up amongst her Italian Catholic relatives with her Jewish relatives were nearby. It was the 1940s when she was six years old
and her parents were a "mixed" marriage, which just didn't happen back then. Her father was Catholic and her mother was Jewish but they didn't practice any religion in the household. Both parents didn't approve of Protestants though and all agreed they were destined for hell.

At the age of six, Linda wanted a crucifix, more than anything else. She tells of how she didn't feel like she belonged. Religion was very segregated. Her own grandmother treated her as if she was guilty of some sin for being born.

Along with her confusion about religion, she didn't feel she fit in with the 'girl protocols' of the times. It wasn't fair that she couldn't wear pants, cowboy boots or go out after dark. Linda refers to her childhood, saying there were "always disadvantages and stress." She portrays the picture of a child that just didn't fit in anywhere.

Throughout her adulthood Linda went from religion to religion trying to find one that fit. After being disillusioned by the Catholic religion, she became a feminist during college. Then she went off to Europe to enter an Evangelical commune/teaching facility. Many of their beliefs were hers but there wasn't a big role for women within the commune. She came back to America and there were other colleges and programs where she studied different denominations, finally becoming ordained.

During her PhD study courses, she was in an abusive marriage and struggling to get through that because she felt that with her faith it should be fixable--but it wasn't.

This whole story gives the impression of a very unhappy life. The author started at an early age worrying about religion and fitting in. Throughout the book she never seemed to quite fit into anything she
attempted. It's a story of continual searching and bumps in the road along the way.

Hopefully the writing of this book has been cathartic for her as she doesn't give the impression of much happiness throughout her search.

Armchair Interviews says: Unique look at one woman's struggles.