Why Be Jewish?: A Guide for Discovering and Maintaining Jewish Traditions and Values

by Richard D. Bank

Overview

Why Be Jewish? A Guide for Discovering and Maintaining Jewish Traditions and Values addresses the question raised by millions of Jews for whom traditional/religious Judaism doesn't work: "Why should I remain a Jew?" Richard D. Bank addresses the question of why be a Jew in the first place, and provides information that enables the reader to maintain his or her Jewish identity in a way suited for the individual. In addition to suggesting a return to the essence of being Jewish-an emphasis on a oneness and unity to the world-and recognizing there are many ways to express this, Why be Jewish? offers a cornucopia of resources to reinforce one's Jewish identity.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780765761699
Publisher:	Aronson, Jason Inc.
Publication date:	07/07/2001
Pages:	284
Product dimensions:	6.44(w) x 9.04(h) x 0.69(d)

About the Author

Richard D. Bank, an attorney and author, has published numerous articles and essays on topics of Jewish interest as well as The Everything Judaism Book and The Everything Jewish History and Heritage Book. Richard Bank is a past president of the Jewish Children's Folkshul and served as vice-chairman of B'nai Brith Youth Organization-Philadelphia Region.

Editorial Reviews

For those intrigued by Judaism but unsure of their footing, Why Be Jewish? A Guide for Discovering and Maintaining Jewish Traditions and Values clears a path in the wilderness. Richard D. Bank takes curious readers step-by-step through the process, examining every possible facet of identity to provide nontraditional and unaffiliated Jews with all the ammunition they could possibly need. And though the subject may sound forbidding, Bank has written it with style and humor so that the work is always interesting and more often entertaining. Highly recommended!

Robert Leiter

Richard D. Bank offers a refreshing antidote to the current spate of hand wringing about the future of American-Judaism: A positive, nonjudgmental vision of growth and change that disaffected Jews can swallow and even enjoy. Bank draws from a rich varietyof sources to articulate his philosophy of 'Let a thousand Jewish flowers bloom,' supporting this concept with dozens of practical answers to the question, 'How to be Jewish?.' The author's enthusiasm shines through in his combination of good humor andearnest conviction evident on every page. Richard Bank is to disaffected Jews what Dr. Spock was to new mothers: A warm and friendly voice providing not only specific answers but also reassurance that everything will be all right...

From the Publisher

According to Bank (How To Get the Most from Your Attorney), fewer Americans identify themselves as Jews today than a half-century ago. Yet millions of Jews are seeking a deeper sense of meaning in their lives and an understanding of their Jewish identity. To Bank, a Jew can "be religious or not; belong to a synagogue or not; be an atheist or agnostic, a secularist, universalist or humanist or not." For him, the essence of being a Jew lies in "a way of responding to life which emphasizes a oneness and unity to the world." This book explores key aspects of being a Jew through a discussion of Jewish values (e.g., individualism, freedom, equality, justice, and a reverence for memory); the essential humanism of Jewish life and belief; Jewish spirituality; organized religion and secular organizations; and raising children with a sense of their own Jewish identity. While many traditional Jews will not agree with Bank's freewheeling approach, nontraditional and unaffiliated Jews may find his welcoming, nonthreatening suggestions just the thing to get them started on a path to a more meaningful life as a Jew. Recommended for public libraries. Marcia Welsh, formerly of the Guilford Free Lib., CT Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal