Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Judaism Benjamin Blech
The "Complete Idiot's Guide" contains easy-to-follow coverage of all of Jewish history, including profiles of Biblical, religious, and political leaders, such as Abraham, Moses, King David, and Golda Meir. 416 Pages. Softcover, $25.95
Genesis of Justice Alan Dershowitz
Based on Alan Dershowitz's class at Harvard Law School, The Genesis of Justice shows how the Good Book is also a remarkable law book. According to Dershowitz, these seminal stories describe a people and a G-d struggling in a world before the invention of systematic rules, a primal place that predates our notions of fairness, honesty, and rights. Yet here in Genesis we can see these concepts and the need for them and for their embodiment in a formal legal system evolving in front of our eyes. Using ten of the most intriguing biblical narratives and drawing on not only his own observations but those of biblical commentators throughout the ages, Dershowitz evaluates the actions of biblical heroes, even G-d Himself. And together with concluding discussions on "The Injustice of Genesis", he shows us how the flawed behavior of its flawed protagonist led to the Ten Commandments and a deeper, richer sense of justice than any mere legal code could ever provide. Hardcover, $36.95
Moonbeams: A Hadassah Rosh Hodesh Guide ed.Carol Diamant
Moonbeams is intended for anyone who wants to engage in the historic Jewish practice of text study, either individually or together with a Jewish women's group. It is intended for groups that meet on Rosh Chodesh (the new moon), but contains many relevant topics that will interest a wide audience. Many of the issues explored have particular urgency & relevance among Orthodox women, for example, women's hair covering & modest clothing, women wearing tallit & tefillin, newly observant women. While most readers will not consider themselves Orthodox, the authors & editor week to raise awareness of some of the issues that remain controversial among Orthodox feminists. Softcover, $30.95
What are the myths and realities of the aging process? How do different cultures and religions perceive the old? Why is society so negative towards its older members? How might we prepare for our own mortality? Rabbi Plaut, a renowned scholar & rabbi, at 86 offers a gracious & deeply moving perspective on a part of life we all face. Hardcover, $32.50; Softcover, $21.00
The Jewish Book of Why Alfred Kolatch
Does It Make a Difference? Are Jews different? Why have they so influenced civilization, and why is their presence so strongly felt as we begin the twenty-first century? Why, have Jews had an impact on the world so out of proportion to their numbers? Seeking answers to these controversial questions, over a six year period, the authors distributed questionnaires, initiated telephone & internet contacts, and otherwise interviewed thousands of Jews worldwide and asked "Does being Jewish make a difference in your life? Their respondents - distinguished writers, scientists, artists, and politicians as well as "average" ad-working Jews provided answers that are inspiring, poignant, and provocative. Hardcover, $33.95
