Living a Jewish Life: A Guide for Starting, Learning, Celebrating, and Parenting

by Howard Cooper and Anita Diamant

Book Overview

Jewish tradition is a gift and a challenge. "Living a Jewish Life" is your guide to the cultural and spiritual treasures of Judaism, explained in ways that address the choices posed by modern life. From hanging a mezuzah to celebrating a wedding, from lighting Sabbath candles to choosing a synagogue that's right for you and your family, you will find "why-to's" and "how-to's" in these pages, which are tuned to both the realities of the modern world...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0062730258
• ISBN13: 9780062730251
• Release Date: January 1991
• Publisher: Harper Perennial
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 1.16 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 9.2" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Comprehensive and incredibly family-oriented

Living a Jewish Life never skimped on details regarding the customs and traditions of the more liberal Jewish groups. I especially liked how the authors made an effort to include both Sephardic and Ashkenazic customs and practices. After reading this book I felt more connected to Jewish traditions and more prepared to someday take them on myself.

A Lovely Companion for Torah Jewry

" Living A Jewişh Life " teaches Torah Jewry how to transform their daily lives into rites of worship which will bring about The Blessings of The L-RD All-Powerful G-d of Israel. My favorite is, A Little Sanctuary : Beauty and Holiness. Thanks to Anita Diamant and Howard Cooper for this lovely companion …

Great Helper Book For Family and Friends

I gave this book to my Fiance so she could better understand my conversion,rituals,traditions and how life will be after it is complete.It has helped her tremendously in understanding Judaism. The way Anita explains things is so practical and makes since to the modern world.

A user-friendly facelift to a beloved text

Anita Diamant has written several excellent how-to guides on liberal (Reform) Judaism, including Choosing a Jewish Life: A Handbook for People Converting to Judaism and for Their Family and Friends, Living a Jewish Life, Updated and Revised Edition: Jewish Traditions, Customs, and Values for Today's Families, The New Jewish Wedding, Revised, and the The New Jewish Baby Book: Names, Ceremonies, & Customs-a Guide for Today's Families. Her 1991 work Living A Jewish Life has been given a much-needed cosmetic facelift, both in appearance (the typeface and Hebrew are much easier to read) and the addition of an updated bibliography and online resources. I had the opportunity to review the original 1991 release and the 2007 update side-by-side, and these are my observations: + First, a new preface that addresses the vast diversity of modern Judaism, as well as the author's own upbringing by Holocaust survivors (she considers herself a Jew-by-choice and only truly began to explore her heritage in her late 20s). + The Table of Contents has been greatly streamlined, with fewer subheadings. Also, some of the subchapters have been renamed : Shabbat and Soccer (1991) has become Shabbat in the Real World (2007), for example. + The typeface is slightly larger and easier to read. Quotations from the Torah and Talmud are less intrusive on the text than in the original. And the Hebrew text is much easier to read. + Graphics have been added to the top of chapters. + Many of the mail addresses (which took up a whole chapter in the original) have been replaced with websites. "Living a Jewish Life" provides thorough descriptions of the Jewish calendar, holidays, the Jewish lifecycle, keeping kosher, Jewish community organizations, Jewish education, recommended home libraries, and conversion and adoption. Also, the book is clearly aimed at Jewish families, with numerous recommended activities to help explore and promote Jewish heritage inside and outside of the home, encouraging children to make Jewish choices (Shabbat instead of soccer or sleepovers, etc.) Overall, this "facelift" has only made Living A Jewish Life an even more attractive, essential guide for those eager to further explore the rituals, holidays, and strong community that Judaism offers (make sure that you order the Updated and Revised edition (2007) instead of the original release) This is clearly and unashamedly a Reform text. If you are interested in an Orthodox perspective, I recommend To Be a Jew: A Guide to Jewish Observance in Contemporary Life by Rabbi Hayim Halevy Donin. If you are new to Judaism, this is the perfect introductory primer (along with the much larger Essential Judaism: A Complete Guide to Beliefs, Customs & Rituals by George Robinson). If you are a young Jewish family looking to incorporate more meaningful Jewish rituals into your home and family life, this is the book for you.

Truly A Gem

Several years ago I purchased this book. In my quest to learn more about my heritage I started reading this book again. Upon just finishing it right now, I can recommend it wholeheartedly. There are oh so many great qualities about this book. Probably the greatest aspect is the way it is organized. Main sections consist of an Introduction, Home, Observance, Community, and Life Cycle. Each of these main sections discuss critical aspects of the Jewish religion sucha s keeping Kosher, the Holidays, Shabbat, Jewish Calendar, Jewish Schooling, Bar Mitzvah, Wedding, and other milestone activities. Furthermore, at the end of each chapter, the authors Anita Diamant and Howard Cooper list further readings for both adults and children. This is extremely helpful for anyone who wants to learn more about a specific aspect of Judiasm whether it be the origins of Purim, Jewish Cookbooks, or more informaiton about the different approaches of Judiasm(Conservatism, Reform).The Sabbath(Shabbat) section is especially helpful as many of the prayers and the meanings are explained. Those who do not have a strong command of Hebrew need not fear. The explanations here are to the point and provide enough information to leave you to want to find out more. The sections on the holidays are also very informative.The Community aspect of Judiasm is detailed in a very pleasing way. In the middle of the book, there is a comprehensive listing of service organizations which can be of great assistance to a wide audience.I could sing the praises of Living A Jewish Life for several more paragraphs. The bottomline is that it covers so many topics in an easy to read manner that anyone with even the slightest interest in the Jewish relgion should check out this fabulous book.

excellent book!

this book is wonderfully inspiring. it presents jewish values and traditions in a non-intimidating fashion. it's not written like a text. the language is engaging, interesting, and informative. not only is this book a reference on different jewish customs, but it includes reasoning behind each and every one; reasoning that can fit into your lifestyle regardless of faith. it provides numerous ideas for implementing different aspects of judaism into your home. it does this so well that i found myself want to jump into everything all at once. it presents judaism in a new and refreshing light, something that is joyous and most likely you haven't heard before. it also includes wonderful ways to pass on these traditions to kids.

Wonderful Reference

This book is a wonderful reference for jewish holiday traditions. My rabbi recommended that I purchase this book because he found it to be the most complete and concise books on the subject of holidays. It has become one of the most commonly used reference books in my library. This is a must have for both jewish people and persons interested in learning of the jewish traditions.