Rekindling the flame : how Jews are coming back to their faith / Samuel Osherson.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Osherson, Samuel, 1945-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Judaism--United States.

Judaism.

United States.

Jews--United States--Identity.

Jews.

Identity (Philosophical concept).

Jews--Cultural assimilation--United States.

Jews--Cultural assimilation.

Judaism--Psychology.

Spiritual life--Judaism.

Spiritual life.

Interfaith marriage--United States.

Interfaith marriage.

Physical Description:

358 pages ; 24 cm

Edition:

First Harvest edition.

Place of Publication:

San Diego : Harcourt, 2002.

Summary:

This book is for people who want more from Judaism and for those who worry about its future. It is for the millions of assimilated, unaffiliated, or disaffected Jews who are quietly finding their way back to their religion and, in the process, creating new approaches to an ancient tradition.

Samuel Osherson has found many men and women who are Jewish under the radar: families observing the holidays at home; intermarried couples raising their children Jewish; study groups working with and without the benefit of rabbis; and people being inspired to creative work and charitable action by Judaism. These people are widening the doors of Judaism, creating new holiday rituals, increasing the openness to other religions, and moving this patriarchal religion toward one without authoritarian figures.

And Osherson has identified sources of the ambivalence that afflicts so many Jews -- ranging from unfinished childhood struggles with parents to the impact of the Holocaust on Judaism itself -- as well as the surprisingly strong, resilient nature of Jewish identification. Ambivalence and commitment co-exist for many Jews, and Judaism can thrive by honoring both. Many Jewish men and women who have questioned their tradition are now creating a vibrant, enriched Judaism for our contemporary world. The excitement and joy that comes from rekindling the flame is the powerful message of this book. Samuel Osherson has begun a new chapter in the long story of the survival of the Jewish people.

Contents:

Introduction: The Uncounted and the Discontented 1

Part 1 Why Jews Struggle with Judaism

Chapter 1 Who's a Good Enough Jew? 25

Chapter 2 The Psychological Resistance to Being Jewish 45

Chapter 3 L'Chayim to Life: Overcoming the Resistance 80

Part 2 Solutions for Living in an Assimilated World

Chapter 4 Composing and Recomposing Judaism in Our Lives 97

Chapter 5 Can You Be a Good Jew and Love Handel's Messiah? 116

Chapter 6 Intermarried

and Jewish 137

Part 3 Finding the Joy in Judaism

Chapter 7 The Psychology of a Vibrant Judaism 173

Chapter 8 Creative Solutions to Careers: The Real Tikkun Olam 204

Chapter 9 Making Judaism Your Own at Home and on the Holidays 241

Chapter 10 Fresh Air in the Synagogue 271

Conclusion: The Jew in the Mist

Being Jewish in Changing Times 303

Appendix Starting and Enjoying Your Own Jewish Discussion Group 318.

Notes:

"A Harvest Book."

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

0151006334

0156027038

OCLC:

50764948