Using the "Book of Exodus, Song of Songs", and the "Psalms" as guides, Carol Ochs and Kerry Olitzky explore the riches of spiritual journey in the context of Judaism. Their discoveries speak to those who seek a deeper Jewish spiritual life as well as to those who wish to guide others in this search, whether they be religious professionals, counselors, or more informed mentors.
Jewish tradition encourages study as a way of honoring the memory of those who are no longer among us. Grief in Our Seasons offers a comforting link between study and the tradition of saying Kaddish, helping those who are mourning to heal at their own pace and to cherish the memory of their loved ones each and every day. Each section of Grief in Our Seasons is devoted to a stage of mourning, providing daily readings from sacred Jewish texts and words of inspiration, comfort, and understanding. “Meditations Before Saying Kaddish” share the insights of others who have faced the challenges of mourning, and tell how they found solace during the process.
The book of Job is the most challenging—and most engaging—of all the books in the Hebrew Scriptures. It challenges one’s faith in the essential goodness of God and humanity. In this volume, Rabbis Kravitz and Olitzky provide an original, modern translation and commentary while also inviting classic rabbinic commentators of the past to provide insight to the text. Along with helping the reader to understand the original Hebrew sources, the authors also strive to answer some of the basic answers of human existence posed by religion: Why is there evil? Why do the good suffer? Why do those who do evil seem to go unpunished? Are acts of goodness rewarded?
At day's end, quiet your mind and unburden your heart. These peaceful reflections offer wisdom to "sleep on." For each night of the year, an inspiring quote from a Jewish source and a personal reflection on it from an insightful spiritual leader help you to focus on your spiritual life and the lessons your day has offered.
Every Jewish institution," writes Kerry Olitzky, "is undergoing significant change and is in danger of becoming irrelevant to the majority of North American Jews. All these institutions will have to reimagine themselves if they are to survive and grow. And the most numerous of these institutes is also the most vulnerable: the synagogue." The synagogue as we know it developed in response to a variety of needs, often in an attempt to create new communities for education and assembly as populations moved from urban centers to the suburbs. These needs have changed, and the synagogue is no longer the center of social and professional life. Change is necessary, but what a synagogue that serves the new needs of American Jewish religious life look like? In Playlist Judaism, Kerry Olitzky offers provocative proposals to help synagogues face today s challenges, from turning the synagogue inside out so that it is reaching out to the community around it, to recognizing intermarriage as an opportunity for synagogues, and encouraging synagogues not to forget the Boomers. It is an engaging look at what creative thinking has to offer congregations today. In his foreword, Ron Wolfson says that the book will provide "leadership teams with a plethora of practical proposals to chart an exciting and engaging future for their congregations.
This guide will introduce you to Judaism in easy-to-understand terms and language. Whether you are married to or dating a Jewish man or woman, or are the parent, sibling, or friend of someone in an interfaith relationship, you will find this book to be a thorough and accessible entry to the Jewish faith and the cultural and social institutions of the Jewish world in America. Rabbi Kerry M. Olitzky speaks directly to you, a person who stands on the periphery of Jewish culture and is only now beginning to move into the circle of Jewish faith and life."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved
A fun and insightful young novel that provides a peek into different cultural experiences through the friendship of Leila and Ilana. This terrific storybook doesn’t just stop with Muslim and Jewish insights, it also explores the diversity of other students in the classroom. Readers will love the adventures and learn a little bit more about their own friends and neighbors along the way. Highly recommended. —Rabbi Stacia Deutsch New York Times bestselling author is a heartwarming story of friendship between a Muslim and Jewish girl, that celebrates the age the innocence and purity of their tender age. An admirable effort by two interfaith activists who planted a seed of Salaam/Shalom for many beautiful peace trees to grow! —Sahar Khamis, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Communication at the University of Maryland The Adventures of Leila and Ilana is a story of two girls, one Muslim and one Jewish, who become best friends in this fun and endearing story about the power of being yourself in spite of the challenges.
Healing the soul is a vital counterpart to curing the body. Grounded in the spiritual traditions of Judaism, this book provides healing rituals, psalms and prayers that help us initiate dialogue with God and guide us on the path of healing and wholeness.
Straightforward and nonjudgmental advice for dating couples, partners, husbands and wives, in-laws, counselors and others. Interfaith relationships are commonplace; the challenges that go along with them are not. An interfaith couple will have to confront tough questions, yet it’s often difficult to find answers, especially when traditional sources of help—family, friends, clergy and counselors—are unable or unwilling to understand the problems. From a Jewish perspective, this book guides interfaith couples at any stage of their relationship—from dating and engagement, to the wedding and marriage—and the people who are affected by their relationship in any way, including their families and counselors who work with interfaith couples. While making no judgments or dictating answers, and supporting individual choice, topics covered include: What is an intermarriage? Why do people intermarry? When do you bring up the subject of religion? What is conversion and is it necessary? When do you discuss and decide how children will be raised? ... and much more!
By presenting a Jewish perspective on The Twelve Steps and offering consolation, inspiration, and motivation towards recovery, this guide explains how the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous are relevant for Jewish people as well as Christians. Afterword on "Where to Go for Help" by The JACS Foundation (Jewish Alcoholics, Chemically Dependent Persons and Significant Others). Illustrations by Maty Grunberg.
Healing wisdom for those directly affected by the addiction of a loved one. This warm and empowering message draws on Jewish tradition and the personal experiences of recovering codependent people to offer hope no matter your faith or background.
Open wide your mind and your community to fresh concepts of synagogue financial and spiritual success. "[A] welcome addition.... Replete with examples of synagogues, independent minyanim and spiritual communities that have developed creative and sometimes surprising strategies ... that ameliorate what many observers believe are obstacles to recruiting and engaging Jews into their spiritual communities." from the Foreword by Dr. Ron Wolfson The concept of the "dues-based membership model" in synagogues was once an innovation. Now that model is in decline and sweeping change is required in order to reverse the downward trend in synagogue participation. This groundbreaking book provides synagogue and communal leaders with a useful process and the ingredients necessary to consider important changes in the synagogue, including: Thoughtful new models for membership and synagogue finance Examples from successful synagogues, bolstered by illustrations from the private sector Practical steps for change and implementation With checklists for exploring and adopting alternative models from nationally recognized congregational consultant Debbie Joseph.
Provides synagogue and communal leaders with a thoughtful process and the ingredients necessary to consider important changes in the synagogue. Includes provocative new models for membership and synagogue finance; examples from successful synagogues, bolstered by illustrations from the private sector; and practical steps for implementing change
You can understand your Jewish friends and loved ones more fully. A hands-on guide to the most important questions. Introducing My Faith and My Communityprovides an introduction to both the basics and complexities of Judaism and Jewish life through the lens of an interfaith relationship. Rather than providing stock answers to questions about Jewish rituals or values, or giving a broad overview of Jewish history and theology, Rabbi Kerry M. Olitzky addresses topics that will encourage understanding and stimulate discussion between you and your Jewish partner, relative, or friend. Topics include: Beliefs, Religion, and the Place of God in the Jewish Faith Study, Learning, and Charity as Core Values in Jewish Life Food, Holidays, Humor, and Ethnicity as Part of Jewish Culture The Importance of Synagogue, Israel, and Community to American Jews
Straightforward and nonjudgmental advice for dating couples, partners, husbands and wives, in-laws, counselors and others. Interfaith relationships are commonplace; the challenges that go along with them are not. An interfaith couple will have to confront tough questions, yet it's often difficult to find answers, especially when traditional sources of help--family, friends, clergy and counselors--are unable or unwilling to understand the problems. > From a Jewish perspective, this book guides interfaith couples at any stage of their relationship--from dating and engagement, to the wedding and marriage--and the people who are affected by their relationship in any way, including their families and counselors who work with interfaith couples. While making no judgments or dictating answers, and supporting individual choice, topics covered include: What is an intermarriage? Why do people intermarry? When do you bring up the subject of religion? What is conversion and is it necessary? When do you discuss and decide how children will be raised? ... and much more!
Take a journey with Rabbis Ron Isaacs and Kerry Olitzky to discover the best seder ever! Traditional Hebrew text, accessible transliterations, and modern translations guide families through the story and practice of Pesach. Every part of the seder is introduced with WHY and HOW TO, so everyone can understand and participate. The Discovery Haggadah is great for the classroom, too! 80 full-color pages loaded with games, activities, and interesting facts.
After Noah and his wife, Namaah, help settle the animals on the ark and Mother Hen takes a young raccoon to the "potty room," Owl shares words of wisdom and a prayer.
Wake up to the divine abundance that is all around you! This inspirational companion helps you recognize God's gifts in the everyday world around you. For each day of the year, an inspiring quote from a Jewish source and a personal reflection on it help you focus on your spiritual life and all the things you have to be grateful for. Using both the secular and Jewish calendar as a framework, this daily devotional helps you honor the special and holy events of the year as well as identify the sacred in the mundane moments of your life. It draws on the wisdom of Jewish sources and teachings, and ancient and contemporary spiritual thinkers, to gain perspective on the abundance that is all around you--in your achievements and challenges, relationships and personal time, joy and suffering, job and home. It will help you elevate the ordinary to the extraordinary every day of the year.
A window into the meaning of Jewish rituals throughout history and today— written especially for Christians. Ritual moments and opportunities guide the daily life of practicing Jews. These spiritual practices give expression to Jewish identity and reflect Judaism’s core beliefs and values. But what can they mean to Christians seeking to understand their own faith? In this special book, Rabbis Olitzky and Judson guide you through the whys and hows of nine specific areas of Jewish ritual. Observing the Sabbath Keeping Kosher Putting on Tefillin (Prayer Boxes) Wrapping the Tallit (Prayer Shawl) Covering the Head Studying Torah Praying Daily Saying Blessings throughout the Day Going to the Ritual Bath Providing you with the biblical and historical background of each practice, insight into its contemporary use and significance—including the often divergent approaches of different Jewish movements—and personal stories from rabbis and lay people, this easy-to-understand guide illustrates the deep meaning these rituals have in the Jewish relationship with God. Linking these practices to familiar rituals in the Christian tradition, Olitzky and Judson help you better understand the roots of Christianity and how the fundamentals of Judaism relate to and reflect your own spiritual foundation.
A window into Judaism's sacred days--throughout history and today. Written especially for Christians. Holy days and holidays provide the peak experiences of Jewish life. These moments speak deeply to the Jewish soul and animate Judaism's culture. They encourage Jews to participate in their shared historical experience, which reflects their covenantal relationship with God, and articulate Jewish values that have allowed for the survival of the Jewish people. But what can they mean to Christians seeking to understand their own faith? In this special book, Rabbis Olitzky and Judson guide you through the major Jewish holidays and what they mean for the Jewish people. Each chapter explores a different holiday and explains the origin, historical background, customs and rituals that are part of observance and the holiday's Christian parallels. Examining observance in both home and synagogue--and in all Jewish denominations--this easy-to-use guide to the Jewish holidays will be a valuable resource for your own understanding of Jewish sacred time throughout the year. And by linking the Jewish holidays to familiar Christian holidays and practices, you will be better able to appreciate the roots of Christianity and how the fundamentals of Judaism relate to and reflect your own spiritual foundation. Rosh Hashanah-New Year Yom Kippur-Day of Atonement Sukkot-Feast of Booths (Fall Harvest Festival) Simchat Torah-Rejoicing in the Torah Hanukkah-Rededication Purim-(Festival of Survival) Pesach-Passover Shavuot-(Receiving the Torah) Tisha B'Av (Mourning and Commemoration) and Other Special Days Shabbat (Day of Rest)
This book is not just for Jewish people. It is for all people who would gain strength to heal and insight from the Jewish tradition. Using a one-day-at-a-time monthly format, a spiritual leader who continues to reach out to addicted people, and all those seeking spiritual renewal, reflects on the rhythm of the Jewish calendar with recovering people and other teachers. Together they bring insight to recovery from addictions and compulsive behaviors of all kinds. This sensitive volume soars with the spirit of the Jewish soul and year. Its "exercises" help us move from thinking to doing.
A window into Judaism’s sacred days—throughout history and today. Written especially for Christians. Holy days and holidays provide the peak experiences of Jewish life. These moments speak deeply to the Jewish soul and animate Judaism’s culture. They encourage Jews to participate in their shared historical experience, which reflects their covenantal relationship with God, and articulate Jewish values that have allowed for the survival of the Jewish people. But what can they mean to Christians seeking to understand their own faith? In this special book, Rabbis Olitzky and Judson guide you through the major Jewish holidays and what they mean for the Jewish people. Each chapter explores a different holiday and explains the origin, historical background, customs and rituals that are part of observance and the holiday’s Christian parallels. Examining observance in both home and synagogue—and in all Jewish denominations—this easy-to-use guide to the Jewish holidays will be a valuable resource for your own understanding of Jewish sacred time throughout the year. And by linking the Jewish holidays to familiar Christian holidays and practices, you will be better able to appreciate the roots of Christianity and how the fundamentals of Judaism relate to and reflect your own spiritual foundation. Rosh Hashanah–New Year Yom Kippur–Day of Atonement Sukkot–Feast of Booths (Fall Harvest Festival) Simchat Torah–Rejoicing in the Torah Hanukkah–Rededication Purim–(Festival of Survival) Pesach–Passover Shavuot–(Receiving the Torah) Tisha B’Av (Mourning and Commemoration) and Other Special Days Shabbat (Day of Rest)
A contemporary guide for Jewish ethical behavior and moral living that explores subjects such as the appeal of evil, the value of good deeds, and the implications of gossip. Rabbis Olitzky and Sabath recommend actions that we can take to help strengthen and heal ourselves and our world.
Using a seven day/weekly guide format, a recovering person and a spiritual leader who is reaching out to addicted people reflect on the traditional weekly Bible reading. They bring strong spiritual support for daily living and recovery from addictions of all kinds: Alcohol, drugs, eating, gambling and sex. A profound sense of the religious spirit soars through their words and brings all people in Twelve Step recovery programs home to a rich and spiritually enlightening tradition.
For Bar/Bat mitzvah students and Thier families. contains original sources, questions to think about, research topics, suggested projects, a mitzvah diary and bibliography.
At long last, a complete how-to-live a Jewish life series by the award-winning user-friendly authors Rabbis Kerry Olitzky and Ron Isaacs. In a clear and succinct step-by-step format (including illustrations), these volumes answer questions on how to practice Jewish customs and traditions, both at home and in the synagogue. Not only are these three volumes a superb reference for Jews, they are also an excellent reference for non-Jews who are interested in Jewish life and practice. The Third How To Handbook also features a complete index of entries for all three volumes for easy access and reference.
Using a seven-day/weekly guide format, a recovering person and a spiritual leader who is reaching out to addicted people reflect on the traditional weekly Bible reading. They bring strong spiritual support for daily living and recovery from addictions of all kinds: alcohol, drugs, eating, gambling and sex. A profound sense of the spirit soars through their words and brings all people in Twelve Step recovery programs home to a rich and spiritually enlightening tradition. This book is not just for Jewish people. It’s for all people who would gain strength to heal and insight from the Bible and the teachings of Jewish tradition.
This book is not just for Jewish people. It's for all people who would gain insight— and strength to heal—from Jewish tradition. • All people who are in trouble with alcohol, drugs, or other addictions—food, gambling, and sex • Anyone seeking an understanding of the Twelve Steps from a Jewish perspective—regardless of religious background or affiliation • Alcoholics and addicts in recovery • Codependents • Adult children of alcoholics • Specialists in recovery and treatment An updated and expanded edition of a recovery classic. A rabbi, a psychiatrist, and many recovering Jewish people share their understanding of the Twelve Jewish Steps of recovery from addiction of all kinds based on conversations with each other—and with God. They present a Jewish perspective on the Twelve Steps and offer consolation, inspiration, and motivation for recovery—for people of all faiths and backgrounds—by drawing on traditional and contemporary Jewish sources and by sharing what recovering people say about their experiences. They explore why some Jews are uncomfortable with the Twelve Steps, as well as how the Jewish understanding of the Twelve Steps differs from the Christian understanding of it.
Thank you for visiting our website. Would you like to provide feedback on how we could improve your experience?
This site does not use any third party cookies with one exception — it uses cookies from Google to deliver its services and to analyze traffic.Learn More.