JPS Commentary on the Haggadah: Historical Introduction, Translation, and Commentary
   By: Joseph Tabory

The Passover haggadah enjoys an unrivaled place in Jewish culture, both religious and secular. And of all the classic Jewish books, the haggadah is the one most "alive" today. Jews continue to rewrite, revise, and add to its text, recasting it so that it remains relevant to their lives. In this new volume in the JPS Commentary collection, Joseph Tabory, one of the world's leading authorities on the history of the haggadah, traces the development of the seder and the haggadah through the ages. The book features an extended introduction by Tabory, the classic Hebrew haggadah text side by side with its English translation, and Tabory's clear and insightful critical-historical commentary. (Jewish Publication Society) Price $26.40

Why Is This Night Different from All Other Nights?: "The Four Questions" Around the World    By: Ilana Kurshan

This fascinating, informative, and beautifully illustrated books translates the Passover seder's Four Questions into twenty-three languages and provides capsule histories of the Jews in the countries where the languages are spoken. For each language a translation (and, where necessary, a transliteration) of the Four Questions is provided, accompanied by a brief overview of Jewish life and culture among the speakers of the language, and an illustrations of either historical or contemporary interest. (Schocken Books) Price $26.40

For the Love of God and People: A Philosophy of Jewish Law
   By: Elliot Dorff

Every generation of Jews in every denomination of Judaism finds itself facing complex legal questions. The status of same-sex unions and the plight of the agunah (a woman who cannot obtain a divorce), are just two of a myriad of thorny questions Jewish legal experts grapple with today. These are not esoteric problems but issues with a profound impact on the daily happiness of countless people. How do the rabbis who draft responses to these questions reach their conclusions? What informs their decisions and their approach to Jewish law? Acclaimed writer and legal expert Elliot Dorff addresses these and other questions in this intelligent, accessible guide to the philosophy behind Jewish law. In his view, Jewish law is an expression of the love we have for God and for our fellow human beings. This theme permeates his discussion of important aspects of the law. For example, what motivates modern Jews to follow Jewish law? How does Jewish law strike the balance between continuity and change? On what grounds and under what circumstances do human beings have the authority to interpret or even change God's laws? Dorff also offers a systematic comparison of Jewish law and U.S. law, based on his course on this subject at UCLA School of Law. Whether you are a lawyer or simply interested in the philosophy behind recent rabbinic decisions, this is a book that will deepen your understanding of the Jewish legal system and its role in the modern world. Price $25.55

Everyday Holiness: The Jewish Spiritual Path of Mussar
   By: Alan Morinis

Here is an accessible and inspiring introduction to the Jewish spiritual tradition known as Mussar. Well known in the Orthodox Jewish world, Mussar is an illuminating, approachable, and highly practical set of teachings for cultivating personal growth and spiritual realization in the midst of day-to-day life. The ultimate goal of Mussar is to become a more whole and holy person. The path is simple: learn to be a mensch, a deeply good and decent human being, or what has been called an "extraordinary ordinary person." The core teaching of Mussar is that our deepest essence is inherently pure and holy, but this inner radiance is obscured by extremes of emotion, desire, and bad habits. Our work in life is to uncover the brilliant light of the soul. The Mussar masters developed transformative teachings and practices—some of which are contemplative, some of which focus on how we relate to others in daily life—to help us to heal and refine ourselves. Price $16.47

Celebrating the Jewish Year: The Winter Holidays : Hanukkah, Tu b'shevat, Purim (Celebrating the Jewish Year)
   By: Paul Steinberg (Author), Janet Greenstein Potter (Editor)

JPS's new holiday books take us through the joys, spirit, and meaning of the seasons. Blending the old and the new, they ground us in the origins and traditions of each holiday and open up to us ways we can add our own expression to these special days. Although synagogue ritual is touched upon, the real focus here is on our personal connections to each holiday and our home observance. As we move from season to season, Paul Steinberg shares with us a rich collection of readings from many of the Jewish greats -- Maimonides, Rashi, Nachmanides, Shlomo Carlebach, Marge Piercy, Elie Wiesel, Martin Buber, Abraham Joshua Heschel, Arthur Green, and others -- and he guides us in discovering for ourselves the many treasures within each text. The readings teach us about the history of each holiday, as well as its theological, ethical, agricultural, and seasonal importance and interpretation; others give us inspiration and much food for thought. These stories, essays, poems, anecdotes, and rituals help us discover how deeply Jewish traditions are rooted in nature's yearly cycle, and how beautifully season and spirit are woven together throughout the Jewish year. Price $14.96

Inventing Jewish Ritual: New American Traditions
   By: Vanessa Ochs

Vanessa Ochs invites her readers to explore how Jewish practice can be more meaningful through renewing, reshaping, and even creating new rituals--blessings for newborn daughters, Miriam's cup, becoming an elder, and more. We think of rituals -- the patterned ways of doing things that have shared and often multiple meanings -- as being steeped in tradition and therefore unalterable. But rituals have always been reinvented. When we perform ancient rituals in a particular place and time they are no longer quite the same rituals they once were. Each is a debut, an innovation: this Sabbath meal, this Passover seder, this wedding -- firsts in their own unique ways. In the last 30 years there has been a surge of interest in reinventing ritual, in what is called minhag America. Ochs describes the range and diversity of interest in this Jewish-American experience and examines how it reflects tradition as it revives Jewish culture and faith. And she shows us how to create our own ritual objects, sacred spaces, ceremonies, and liturgies that can be paths to greater personal connection with history and with holiness: baby-naming ceremonies for girls, divorce rituals, Shabbat practices, homemade haggadahs, ritual baths, healing services. Through these and more, we see that American Judaism is a dynamic cultural process very much open to change and a source of great personal and communal meaning. Price $19.00

Judaism and Justice: The Jewish Passion to Repair the World
   By: Rabbi Sidney Schwarz

From Judaism’s rich history of prophetic justice comes an inspiring call to action. Why is it that Jews are so involved in causes dedicated to justice, equality, human rights and peace? Are these trends influenced by religion, history, sociology or something else? In this provocative exploration, Rabbi Sidney Schwarz, founder and president of PANIM: The Institute for Jewish Leadership and Values, sheds light on the relationship between Judaism, social justice and the Jewish identity of American Jews. He traces how the idea of justice, as developed in the sacred texts of Judaism, conditions Jewish attitudes and behavior. In a fascinating portrayal of some of the major issues facing the Jewish community in the last fifty years, Schwarz explores a community torn between its instincts for self-preservation and its desire to serve as an ethical “light to the nations.” This powerful and empowering book will provide you with a starting point for meaningful engagement and a new way to understand Jewish identity. Forward by Ruth Messinger. Price $16.49

The Jewish Book of Days: A Companion for All Seasons
   By: Jill Hammer

Throughout the ages, Jews have connected legends to particular days of the Hebrew calendar. Abraham's birth, the death of Rachel, and the creation of light are all tales that are linked to a specific day and season. The Jewish Book of Days invites readers to experience the connection between sacred story and nature's rhythms, through readings designed for each and every day of the year. These daily readings offer an opportunity to live in tune with the wisdom of the past while learning new truths about the times we live in today. Using the tree as its central metaphor, The Jewish Book of Days is divided into eight chapters of approximately forty-five days each. These sections represent the tree's stages of growth--seed, root, shoot, sap, bud, leaf, flower, and fruit--and also echo the natural cadences of each season. Each entry has three components: a biblical quote for the day; a midrash on the biblical quote or a Jewish tradition related to that day; and commentary relating the text to the cycles of the year. The author includes an introduction that analyzes the different months and seasons of the Hebrew calendar and explains the textual sources used throughout. Appendixes provide additional material for leap years, equinoxes, and solstices. A section on seasonal meditations offers a new way to approach the divine every day. Price $17.64

The Righteous Men
   By: Sam Bourne

A teenage computer prodigy is mortally strangled in Mumbai. A far-right extremist is killed in a remote cabin in the Pacific Northwest. A wealthy businessman is murdered in Thailand. What connects the victims is an ancient prophecy that leads to the end of the world, and it's up to Will Monroe, a fledgling reporter at the New York Times, to stop it. But Monroe's investigation quickly makes him some shadowy enemies, who kidnap his wife and hold her hostage in Crown Heights. Desperate to find the link between the killings and to save his wife, he enlists his college sweetheart, TC, an eccentric artist and Kabbalah expert. As the death toll rises, they follow a trail of clues that seems to lead inexorably to a set of ancient texts containing a prophecy that promises to save the world, or to destroy it. In The Righteous Men, a blistering thriller filled with mystery, romance, and suspense, Sam Bourne takes readers deep into the hidden worlds of religion, mysticism, and biblical prophecies. This is a visionary tale that is as frightening as it is entertaining. Readers won't stop turning the pages until the very end. Price $16.47

Folktales of the Jews: Tales from the Sephardic Dispersion
  Edited By: Dan Ben-Amos, Dov Noy, Ellen Frankel, Translated by: Lenn Schramm

Tales from the Sephardic Dispersion begins the most important collection of Jewish folktales ever published. It is the first volume in Folktales of the Jews, the five-volume series to be released over the next several years, in the tradition of Louis Ginzberg's classic, Legends of the Jews. The 71 tales here and the others in this series have been selected from the Israel Folktale Archives (IFA), a treasure house of Jewish lore that has remained largely unavailable to the entire world until now. Each of the tales is accompanied by in-depth commentary that explains the tale's cultural, historical, and literary background and its similarity to other tales in the IFA collection, and extensive scholarly notes. There is also an introduction that describes the Sephardic culture and its folk narrative tradition, a world map of the areas covered, illustrations, biographies of the collectors and narrators, tale type and motif indexes, a subject index, and a comprehensive bibliography. Price $47.25

Studies in Bible And Feminist Criticism (JPS Scholar of Distinction)
  By: Tikva Frymer-Kensky, z"l

Renowned feminist Bible scholar Tikva Frymer-Kensky shares some of the best writings of her long and distinguished career. Each of the 30 essays here delves into a topic that gives us much food for thought: the Bible as interpreted through ancient Near-Eastern creation myths, flood myths and goddess myths; gender in the Bible; the feminist approach to Jewish law; comparative Jewish and Christian perspectives on the Hebrew Bible; biblical perspectives on ecology; creating a theology of healing; feminine God-talk. The volume concludes with the author’s own original prayers in the form of poetic meditations on pregnancy and birthing. This book is unique, not only because it is the only volume in the JPS Scholars of Distinction series written by a woman, but also because Frymer-Kensky’s personal and forthright voice resonates so clearly throughout each piece. Scholars and students of Bible, Jewish studies, and women’s studies will surely find this to be a one-of-a kind collection. Price $26.37

About the author:Tikva Frymer-Kensky was a professor of Hebrew Bible and the History of Judaism at the University of Chicago Divinity School. Her areas of specialization included Assyriology and Sumerology, biblical studies, Jewish studies, and women and religion. She held a M.A. and a Ph.D. from Yale University. Her presence will be greatly missed by all that were enlightened by her writing, teaching, personality, and scholarship.

The Contemporary Torah: A Gender-Sensitive Adaptation of the JPS Translation
  Edited by David E.S. Stein

This adaptation of the JPS translation of the Torah (1962) will appeal to readers who are interested in a historically based picture of social gender roles in the Bible as well as those who have become accustomed to gender-sensitive English in other aspects of their lives. Many contemporary Bible scholars contend that the Bible's original audience understood that the references to God as male simply reflected gendered social roles at the time. However, evidence for this implicit assumption is ambiguous. Accordingly, in preparing this new edition, the editors sought language that was more sensitive to gender nuances, to reflect more accurately the perceptions of the original Bible readers. In places where the ancient audience probably would not have construed gender as pertinent to the text's plain sense, the editors changed words into gender-neutral terms; where gender was probably understood to be at stake, they left the text as originally translated, or even introduced gendered language where none existed before. They made these changes regardless of whether words referred to God, angels, or human beings. David Stein's preface provides an explanation of the methodology used, and a table delineates typical ways that God language is handled, with sample verses. Occasional notes applied to the Bible text explain how gender is treated; longer supplementary notes at the end of the volume comment on special topics related to this edition. In preparing this work, the editors undertook a thorough and comprehensive analysis of the Torah's gender ascriptions. The result is a carefully rendered alternative to the traditional JPS translation. Price $18.48

My Future Is in America: Autobiographies of Eastern European Jewish Immigrants
  By Jocelyn Cohen (Editor), Daniel Soyer (Editor)

In 1942, YIVO held a contest for the best autobiography by a Jewish immigrant on the theme "Why I Left the Old Country and What I Have Accomplished in America," Chosen from over two hundred entries, and translated from Yiddish, the nine life stories in My Future Is in America provide a compelling portrait of American Jewish life in the immigrant generation at the turn of the twentieth century. The writers arrived in America in every decade from the 1890s to the 1920s. They include manual workers, shopkeepers, housewives, communal activists, and professionals who came from all parts of Eastern Europe and ushered in a new era in American Jewish history. In their own words, the immigrant writers convey the complexities of the transition between the Old and New Worlds. An Introduction places the writings in historical and literary context, and annotations explain historical and cultural allusions made by the writers. This unique volume introduces readers to the complex world of Yiddish-speaking immigrants while at the same time elucidating important themes and topics of interst to those in immigration studies, ethnic studies, labor history, and literary studies. Published in conjunction with the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research. Price $39.00

Haggadah and History: A Panorama in Facsimilie of Five Centuries of the Printed Haggadah
  By Yosef Hayim Yerushalmi

Yerushalmi's erudition, which informs every inch of Haggadah and History, is apparent the minute you open the book. Nominated for the Pulitzer Prize when it was first published in 1975, Haggadah & History is much more than a history of the Passover story. It is also a mirror of the last five centuries in Jewish history as reflected in the haggadah itself. In an updated preface to the book, Yerushalmi recounts the story of the discovery of the Sarajevo Haggadah, which he says is "arguably the most renowned illuminated haggadah manuscript from the Middle Ages to have survived." Two hundred facsimile plates reproduce representative pages from rare printed haggadot in two of the world's outstanding Judaica collections: the libraries of Harvard University and The Jewish Theological Seminary. This visual history is complemented by Professor Yerushalmi's fascinating historical introduction and richly detailed place descriptions. The result is a rare blend of scholarship and art. The history chronicled in this voluminous work, which has both intellectual and aesthetic appeal, stretches from the 15th century - the dawn of Hebrew printing - to the present day. But the story is not just confined to the Haggadah. What is also suggested is the ebb and flow of Jewish history over the course of five centuries, as reflected in the various permutations that this most beloved of Jewish religious texts has gone through, whether in Barcelona, Baghdad, a concentration camp in southern France or an Israeli kibbutz. We watch as the geographical shifts the Jewish people often suffered came to eventually affect the look and language of the Haggadah. Price $47.25

The Light And Fire of the Baal Shem Tov
  By Yitzhak Buxbaum

This is a life, in stories, of Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov (1700-1760), the founder of Hasidism. The Baal Shem Tov, or the Besht, as he is commonly called, led a revival in Judaism that put love and joy at the center of religious life and championed the piety of the common folk against the rabbinic establishment. He has been recognized as one of the greatest teachers in Jewish history, and much of what is alive and vibrant in Judaism today, in all denominations, derives from his inspiration. Abraham Joshua Heschel, who was descended from several illustrious Hasidic dynasties, wrote: "The Baal Shem Tov brought heaven to earth. He and his disciples, the Hasidim, banished melancholy from the soul and uncovered the ineffable delight of being a Jew." A wonderfully, enchanting compilation of stories from the Baal Shem Tov that captures the essence and Yiddishkeit of chassidut. A fabulous tome for the old and the young, for those who are liberal or those who are traditional. Buxbaum’s compilation is enjoyable for bedtime reading for adults and children, as well as an outstanding source for scholars and rabbis. Price $32.97

Finding our Way: Jewish Texts and the Lives We Live Today
  By Barry W. Holtz

The ancient rabbis believed that the world rests on three pillars: study, worship, and good deeds. It is said that the greatest of these is study, for it leads to the other two. But exactly how does the modern Jewish reader go about studying the Mishnah, Talmud, and Midrash --- the great ancient and often hard-to-comprehend texts of our tradition? And how do we glean the great insights and wisdom from these sacred texts, which inspired our ancestors, and apply them to our modern lives? With guidance from renowned author and educator Barry Holtz, these ancient texts take on new meaning for us. He provides a framework for exploring our thinking about God, prayer, and ritual, as well as social issues, such as charity, friendship, and justice. His new study guide helps readers and study groups launch their exploration of the ancient texts, posing probing questions to help them stay engaged as they pursue their quest for a deeper understanding of their faith. This spiritual and spirited book, a sequel to Holtz's classic Back to the Sources, is a must-read for adult Jewish learners and educators alike. Price $10.88

How to Read the Bible
  By Marc Zvi Brettler

In his new book, master Bible scholar and teacher Marc Brettler argues that today's contemporary readers can only understand the ancient Hebrew Scripture by knowing more about the culture that produced it. And so Brettler unpacks the literary conventions, ideological assumptions, and historical conditions that inform the biblical text and demonstrates how modern critical scholarship and archaeological discoveries shed light on this fascinating and complex literature. Brettler surveys representative biblical texts from different genres to illustrate how modern scholars have taught us to "read" these texts. Using the "historical-critical method" long popular in academia, he guides us in reading the Bible as it was read in the biblical period, independent of later religious norms and interpretive traditions. Understanding the Bible this way lets us appreciate it as an interesting text that speaks in multiple voices on profound issues. This book is the first "Jewishly sensitive" introduction to the historical-critical method. Unlike other introductory texts, the Bible that this book speaks about is the Jewish one -- with the three-part TaNaKH arrangement, the sequence of books found in modern printed Hebrew editions, and the chapter and verse enumerations used in most modern Jewish versions of the Bible. In an afterword, the author discusses how the historical-critical method can help contemporary Jews relate to the Bible as a religious text in a more meaningful way. Price $23.10

The Moriah Haggadah

The illuminated haggadah is the most popular artistic book in Jewish history. The word "haggadah" means recital -- namely, reciting or telling the story of the Exodus from Egypt -- following the biblical exhortation to tell the next generation the story of the redemption of the Israelites. This special collector's edition of The Moriah Haggadah, with art and calligraphy faithfully reproduced from the original hand-painted edition, is enhanced with a clear and precise English translation and commentary. All translations of biblical texts are from the 1917 and 1985 Jewish Publication Society translations of the TANAKAH, which have been modified to make the texts gender sensitive. Avner Moriah's prodigious talent and curiosity, his deep personal identification with the themes of the festival and its special book, and his imaginative visualizations have given rise to an inspiring contemporary interpretation of the ancient Passover story. Moriah imbues the words with captivating modern images and new ways to penetrate its many hidden meanings. Izzy Pludwinski's elegant calligraphy gives the Hebrew characters unique beauty, and the commentary by Shlomo Fox provides new insights into the familiar text. Price $94.50

Chanting the Hebrew Bible: The Art of Cantillation
  By Joshua R. Jacobson

Dr. Jacobson provides a fine history of the tradition of the art of cantillation and offers a comprehensive explanation of the practice, an explanation of regional variations and grammatical rules, and shows how chanting dramatizes and interprets the meaning within the biblical text. In addition, Jacobson shares his unique system of notation and supplies extensive examples of musical notation. The most comprehensive guide available on the ancient tradition of cantillation. Cantillation, the public reading of a passage of Scripture, is an essential element of the Jewish worship service. This book provides a fine history of the tradition and, more importantly, offers a full explanation of the practice, and shows how chanting dramatizes and interprets the meaning within the biblical text. Price $47.25

About the author: Joshua R. Jacobson is professor of music and director of choral activities at Northeastern University and an adjunct professor of Jewish music at Hebrew College in Boston. He is the Winner of the prestigious Cantors Assembly Kavod Award "in recognition of his extensive contributions to the field of Jewish Choral music... [and] his comprehensive and scholarly research in cantillation."

Jewish Ethicist: Everyday Ethics For Business And Life
  By Rabbi Dr. Asheir Meir

The book discusses scores of actual questions on ethical dilemmas in business as well as everyday life. The author, Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir, not only gives answers but also provides a lucid and inspiring presentation of underlying ethical concepts, with special emphasis on the insights of Jewish tradition. The discussions sensitize the reader to ethical concerns in all areas of life, and build a comprehensive foundation of concepts to help resolve these concerns. In discussing topics such as marketing, human resources, and fair competition, attention is given to many up-to-date issues; and there is an entire chapter dedicated to ?ethics on the Internet?. Price $18.95

About the author: Rabbi Dr. Meir is Research Director at the prestigious Business Ethics Center of Jerusalem, and a Senior Lecturer in economics and business ethics at the Jerusalem College of Technology. He studied economics at Harvard and received his doctorate at MIT, and worked on the staff of the Council of Economic Advisers in the Reagan administration as well as in the private sector. Rabbi Meir?s many lectures and columns on Jewish law and its ethical lessons are highly popular.

The JPS Guide to Jewish Traditions
  By Ronald L. Eisenberg

Divided into four sections—Synagogue and Prayers, Sabbaths and Festivals, Life-Cycle Events, and Miscellaneous (a large section that includes such diverse topics as Jewish literature, food, and plants and animals)—this latest title in the JPS Desk Reference Series is an encyclopedic reference for anyone who wants easily accessible, accurate information about all things Jewish. Eisenberg writes for a wide, diversified audience, and is respectful of the range of practices and beliefs within today’s American Jewish community—from Orthodox to liberal. The JPS Guide to Jewish Traditions is certain to be a meaningful addition to institutional and personal libraries. It is also an excellent gift for b’nai mitzvah, and other lifecycle events and holidays. Price $26.40

About the author: Ronald Eisenberg, a radiologist and non-practicing lawyer living in the San Francisco Bay area, is the author of 20 books in the medical and legal fields as well as The Jewish World in Stamps.

Hebrew Talk: 101 Hebrew Roots and the Stories they Tell
  By Joseph Lowin

An exploration of Hebrew roots, shorashim, that draws from a wide range of sources-Biblical and Rabbinic texts, contemporary authors, and a diverse collection of Israeli Hebrew: newspapers, advertising slogans, slang and graffiti. Each essay in this extradorinary collection takes the reader into the heart of the Hebrew language, where the spoken words of daily life merge with history and imagination. Joseph Lowin's exploration of Hebrew roots, shoreshim, produces a semantic commentary that is at once profound and practical, insightful and entertaining. Price $19.95

About the author: Joseph Lowin is the executive director of the National Center for the Hebrew Language. Lowin has a Ph.D. in French languague and literature from Yale University. The 101 chapters of Hebrew Talk are based on Lowin's columns about Hebrew written for Hadassah Magazine during the past ten years.

American Judaism
  By Jonathan D. Sarna

This magisterial work chronicles the 350-year history of the Jewish religion in America. Tracing American Judaism from its origins in the colonial era through the present day, Jonathan Sarna explores the ways in which Judaism adapted in this new context. How did American culture-predominantly Protestant and overwhelmingly capitalist-affect Jewish religion and culture? And how did American Jews shape their own communities and faith in the new world? Jonathan Sarna, a preeminent scholar of American Judaism, tells the story of individuals struggling to remain Jewish while also becoming American. He offers a dynamic and timely history of assimilation and revitalization, of faith lost and faith regained. The first comprehensive history of American Judaism in over fifty years, this book is both a celebration of 350 years of Jewish life in America and essential reading for anyone interested in American religion and life.

About the author: Jonathan Sarna is a Professor of American Jewish History at Brandeis Univeristy, and chairs the Academic Board of the Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives. Author or editor of more than twenty books on American Jewish history and life, he is also the chief historian of the National Museum of American Jewish History and of the 350th commemeration of Jewish life in America, 1654-2004. Price $23.10

For The Sake Of Heaven And Earth: The New Encounter Between Judaism And Christianity
  By Irving Greenberg

Rabbi Greenberg?s new book makes an invaluable contribution to interfaith conversation. He calls for Christians and Jews to come together in their continuously evolving partnership with God?dual covenants that demand "openness to each other, learning from each other, and a respect for the distinctiveness of the ongoing validity of each other." Now, when the resurgence of anti-Semitism poses a threat to Jews here and around the world, this powerful book presents a new opportunity to heed the call first put forward by Rabbi Greenberg nearly four decades ago: a call for people of all faiths and cultures to work together to create a world in which everyone can live with dignity and equality?the deserved inheritance of a humanity created in the image of God. In the first half of his book, Rabbi Greenberg takes us on his personal journey to a rethinking of Christianity, which ultimately gave rise to his belief that Christianity, Judaism (and every religion that works to repair the world and advance the triumph of life) are valid expressions of the pact between God and humankind. In Part 2 he brings together for the first time his seven most important essays on the new encounters between Judaism and Christianity. Price $13.60

Jewish Study Bible
  Edited By Adele Berlin, Marc Zvi Brettler, Michael Fishbane

Now, readers of the Bible who are interested in studying Jewish traditions have a one-volume resource specifically tailored for their needs. The Jewish Study Bible presents the center of gravity of the Scriptures where Jews experience it--in Torah. It offers readers the fruits of various schools of Jewish traditions of biblical exegesis (rabbinic, medieval, mystical, etc.) and provides them with a wealth of ancillary materials that aid in bringing the ancient text to life. The nearly forty contributors to the work represent the cream of Jewish biblical scholarship from the world over. No knowledge of Hebrew is required for one to make use of this unique volume. The JSB uses The Jewish Publication Society TANAKH Translation, whose name is an acronym formed from the Hebrew initials of the three sections into which the Hebrew Bible is traditionally divided (Torah, Instruction; Nevi'im, Prophets; and Kethubim, Writings). A committee of esteemed biblical scholars and rabbis from the Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform Judaism movements produced this modern translation, which dates from 1985. Anyone interested in acquiring a fuller understanding of the riches of the Bible will profit from reading The Jewish Study Bible. Price $30.60

Sacred Therapy
  By Estelle Frankel

A fresh look at the central myths, metaphors, and spiritual practices of the Jewish tradition, Sacred Therapy explains how people of any faith can draw upon this rich body of teachings to gain wisdom, clarity, and a deeper sense of meaning in the midst of modern life. In an engaging, accessible, and compassionate style, tales and teachings from the Bible, the Talmud, Kabbalah, and the Hasidic tradition as well as case studies and guided medications are brought together to create an original, inspirational guide to emotional healing and spiritual growth. The universal applicability and wisdom that is hidden in Jewish sources is presented in a way to incorporate those spiritual insights into the practice of psychotherapy. Showing us how to skillfully weave together personal and sacred narrative, Frankel reveals how we can transform our vulnerabilities into strengths, find greater spiritual depth, and restore a sense of coherence in our lives, even when things seem broken or shattered. Price $16.97

About the author:
Estelle Frankel is a practicing psychotherapist and a seasoned teacher of Jewish mysticism and mediation. She was ordained as a rabbinic pastor and spiritual guide (mashpiah ruchanit) by Rabbi Zalman Schacher-Shalomi and is one of the spiritual leaders of her local Jewish Renewal community in Berkley, California.

The JPS Bible Commentary: Ecclesiastes: The Traditional Hebrew Text with the New JPS Translation (JPS Bible Commentary)
  By Michael V. Fox

The Book of Ecclesiastes is part of the "wisdom literature" of the Bible. It concerns itself with universal philosophical questions, rather than events in the history of Israel and in the Hebrews' covenant with God. Koheleth, the speaker in this book, ruminates on what -- if anything -- has lasting value, and how -- if at all -- God interacts with humankind. Koheleth expresses bewilderment and frustration at life's absurdities and injustices. He grapples with the inequities that pervade the world and the frailty and limitations of human wisdom and righteousness. His awareness of these discomfiting facts coexists with a firm believe in God's rule and God's fundamental justice, and he looks for ways to define a meaningful life in a world where so much is senseless. Ecclesiastes is traditionally read on the Jewish holiday Sukkot, the harvest festival.

About the author:
Michael V. Fox, received his rabbinical ordination from Hebrew Union College. He received a Ph.D. in Bible, Semitics, and Egyptology from the Hebrew University. He is currently Halls-Bascom Professor of Hebrew at the University of Wisconsin. Price $23.77

Classic Yiddish Stories of S.Y. Abramovitsh, Sholem Aleichem, and I.L. Peretz (Judaic Traditions in Literature, Music, and Art)
  Edited By Ken Frieden, Ted Gorelick, Michael Wex

Two early works by S.Y. Abramovitsh introduce the reader to Abramovitsh's alter ego Mendele the Book Peddler. Mendele narrates both The Little Man and Fishke the Lame. In different voices, he also presents a diverse cast of characters including Isaac Abraham as tailor's apprentice, choirboy, and corrupt businessman. Reb Alter tells of his matchmaking mishap and Fishke relates his travels through the Ukraine with a caravan of beggars. Sholem Aleichem's Tevye reemerges from new translations of "Hodel" and "Chava" in all of his comic splendor. Notes enable students to follow Tevye's uneven steps through Bible quotations. Four of Sholem Aleichem's other eloquent monologists come back to haunt us in scintillating translations. The selections from Peretz include his finest stories about the hasidim, such as "Kabbalists," "Teachings of the Hasidim," and the ironic tale "The Rebbe's Pipe." A fresh rendering of Peretz's masterpiece "Between Two Mountains" represents the meeting of an inspirational rebbe and an awe-inspiring rabbi. Following the translations are three biographical essays about these giants of modern Yiddish literature.

Professor Ken Frieden has published numerous books and essays on Yiddish and Hebrew literature. His acclaimed study Classic Yiddish Fiction is the companion volume to the anthology Classic Yiddish Stories. Frieden received his doctorate in comparative literature at Yale University. He has taught at Syracuse University and Emory University and has been a visiting professor in the U.S.A, England, Israel, and Germany. Price $13.97

More Money Than God: Living a Rich Life Without Losing Your Soul
  By Steven Z. Leder

More Money Than God explores how money affects our families, friends, work, loves, ethics, and feelings of self-worth. Where does money lust come from? How do you teach your children the value of money and giving? What do you do when money is tearing apart your marriage or relationship? How do you deal with losing money through death, divorce, or job loss? More Money Than God will show you how to balance your life as carefully as your bank account. Readers will learn why money and spirituality are not mutually exclusive and, as many unscrupulous company heads are discovering, why you must conduct your business affairs as if God were the ultimate CEO. With the guidance of this book, readers will learn: How to keep money from being a focal point. How to understand the difference between wants and needs. What kind of moral code to live by while seeking the comfort that money brings. How to teach children well, not wealth. How much is too much. Author Steven Leder uses his 15 years of experience as a religious leader and spiritual counselor to tackle the questions with which all of us wrestle on a daily basis.

About the author:
Rabbi Steven Z. Leder , is everything we search for in a modern wise man; learned, kind, funny, and non-judgmental. He is the author of The Extraordinary Nature of Ordinary Things. For those of us whose daily issues are those of family, love, and loss, he offers remarkably healing guidance. In this book, he finds the true fabric of our spiritual lives. Price $16.77

I Am Jewish: Personal Reflections Inspired by the Last Words of Daniel Pearl
  By Judea and Ruth Pearl (Editors)

What did it mean to Daniel Pearl when he declared in his final words "I am Jewish"? What does it mean to many of the millions of Jews who have uttered the same phrase? Based on the last words of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl--who was murdered by terrorists in Pakistan during the U.S. war against the Taliban--I Am Jewish examines what this short statement means to Jewish people from all walks of life, from all around the world, in their own words. Through personal essays, theological statements, historical reflections, stories, memoirs, and more, contributors--both famous Jews and average citizens--express what being Jewish means to them. We can’t know what Daniel Pearl was thinking when he declared "I am Jewish," but his words now serve as an important springboard into an inspirational exploration of Jewish identity.

Daniel Pearl's parents decided to honor his memory by asking several hundred Jews to record their reactions to his words-statements that form the core of this book. Most of the 146 contributors are well-known authors, educators, rabbis, reporters, entertainers and political figures, including Joseph Lieberman, Michael Medved, Dennis Prager, Elie Wiesel, Dianne Feinstein, Kerri Strug, Richard Dreyfuss and Wendy Wasserstein. The length of their statements varies from a sentence or two to essays that cover several pages and center around five basic themes of identity; heritage; covenant, chosenness and faith; humanity; and tikkun ha'olam (repairing the world). Price $17.49

The Receiving, Reclaiming Jewish Women's Wisdom
  By Rabbi Tirzah Firestone

The Receiving is the literal translation of the word Kabbalah, the body of Jewish Mysticism that has been passed down from men to men for centuries. Ironically, the art of receiving, that is, opening to the divine spirit as it manifests in the here and now, is one of the undocumented triumphs of women's spirituality. Now, respected rabbi and Jungian therapist Tirzah Firestone sets out to correct the enormous error of history that has omitted the contributions of Jewish women mystics, sages, and holy women from the Jewish annals. In what might be called an act of spiritual archaeology, Firestone searches for the traces of the divine feminine in the Jewish tradition in order to answer the question, "What is a woman's way to God?" Drawing on the remarkable stories of seven historical holy women -- who, despite all the obstacles, found ways to embrace the sacred feminine in their lives -- Firestone teaches us the mysteries of Jewish Kabbalah from a woman's vantage point.

About the author:
Rabbi Tirzah Firestone, is a psychotherapist and the spiritual leader of the Jewish Renewal Congregation community of Boulder, Colorado. She is the author of The Woman's Kaballah: Ecstatic Jewish Practices for Women and teaches and lectures widely on Jewish meditation. Price $17.47

Consolation, The Spirtual Journey Beyond Grief
  By Maurice Lamm

For most of us, mourning is something to be endured. We are often merely passive spectators of our own pain, and we see our grief period as a grim mountain that we must climb over. But Maurice Lamm tells us it can be much more. Bereavement, he says, can often be an enriching experience, even as it is a sorrowful and often tragic one. Our faith in a higher power can move us to not only live through the present but also to stride into the future with renewed energy and a revitalized outlook on life. His marvelous insights on the days of shiva, the year of kaddish, and the lovingkindness of others reveal the richness and true purpose of Jewish mourning rituals and customs. They prepare us to receive consolation and ready us for the journey that will take us beyond grief.

About the author:
Maurice Lamm, is the author of many books, including The Jewish Way in Death and Mourning. He is the president of the National Institute for Jewish Hospice, and Professor at Yeshiva University's Rabbinical Seminary in New York, where he holds the chair in Professional Rabbinics. For years he served as rabbi of Beth Jacob Congregation, Beverly Hills, CA. Price $21.00

Studies in Modern Jewish Literature
  By Arnold J. Band

This outstanding volume of 26 essays represents a cross-section of the writings of Arnold Band on Jewish literature. Band, a renowned Jewish studies and humanities scholar, writes on such topics as: literature in historic context, interpretations of Hasidic tales and other traditional texts, Zionism, S.Y. Agnon and other important Israeli writers, anti-Semitism and the Holocaust, Jewish studies, and the Jewish community.

Scholars and students of Jewish studies and literature -- particularly Jewish literature -- won't want to miss this remarkable collection.

About the author:
Arnold J. Band, Ph.D., is Professor Emeritus of Hebrew at the University of California at Los Angeles. He has written nearly 125 articles in Hebrew and English on a variety of topics in modern Jewish literature and cultural life. He is the founding director of the Center for Jewish Studies at UCLA. Price $39.95

MitzvahChic: A New Approach to Hosting a Bar or Bat Mitzvah That is Meaningful, Hip, Relevant, Fun & Drop-Dead Gorgeous
  By Gail Anthony Greenberg

There's a new way of celebrating life's milestones and it debuts right here with a complete re-think of the bar and bat mitzvah. Milestones are sacred, deeply felt moments; times to be connected with friends, family and the wonder of the human adventure. Don't just decorate or adopt a theme - have a real experience. MitzvahChic is designed to take even beginners into the heart of the Torah to discover its universal and surprisingly modern treasures. And then use them to create a chic celebration that's moving to attend and impossible to forget. The book's a well of inspiration and a tactics guide. Take the journey and once you, too, have experienced the wonder, who knows where it will lead you?as a Jew and as a human being?

About the author:
Gail Anthony Greenberg, is a lifelong writer, editor and crafts artist. Born in a small town, into a family with no Jewish identity, she saw her first bagel when she attended college in Boston. Its a good thing, though, because if she'd grown up attending a bar or bat mitzvah every weekend, she never would have asked the questions or formulated the approach known as MitzvahChic Price $25.00

About the author: Israel Knohl is chair of the Bible Department of Hebrew University and on the faculty of the Hartman Institute in Jerusalem. He is the author of The Sanctuary of Silence and The Messiah Before Jesus. Knohl brings to his book an impressive background in Dead Sea Scrolls scholarship, research in messianism, and a thorough grounding in Rabbinics -- a breadth of expertise rare among academics.

About the author: Elliot N. Dorff, a Conservative rabbi, is Rector and Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at the University of Judaism. He was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary and earned his Ph.D. from Columbia University, with a dissertation in moral theory. He has written over 150 articles on Jewish thought, law, and ethics, and eight books, including two others published by JPS. He is co-editor of Etz Hayim: Torah and Commentary.

Or Rose is a Ph.D. student in Jewish Thought at Brandeis University. His areas of research include Hasidism and modern Jewish thought. He has also served as an educator at the Jewish Community Day School in Newton, MA and the Abraham Joshua Heschel School in New York, NY.

Most of us have experienced "Jewish music," whether it's through synagogue attendance, a Bar Mitzvah celebration, a klezmer concert, or the playing of "Hava Nagila" at a baseball game.

The many different kinds of Jewish music are reflected by the multitude of Jewish communities throughout the world, each having its own unique set of experiences and values This book helps put all of that music into a context of Jewish history, philosophy, and sociology.

Edelman begins 3,000 years ago, with a brief discussion of music in the Bible, and moves on to examine the nature of folk and liturgical music in the three major Diaspora communities that evolved over centuries, after the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. From there she explores music of the 20th century, discussing the explosion of popular music in North America and Israel and its enormous impact on Jews and their musical identities, within the synagogue and outside it.

This book will be enjoyed by a wide range of readers with interests in Jewish culture, history, philosophy, and music. The author explains musical terms in a way that is understandable to those unfamiliar with the terminology. At the same time, students of music will appreciate the book for its more than 150 musical illustrations, and its intelligent juxtaposition of the many aspects of Jewish life and practice that combine to provide a stage for Jewish music. All will appreciate the accompanying audio CD. Binding: 420 pages, Hardcover

Klein explains that our Jewish tradition can teach us about psychological strength, creative thinking, and peace of mind. Further, she shows how Jewish wisdom and centuries-old, finely-honed coping skills - including prayer, wisdom from the Sages, meditation, mysticism and dream interpretation, music, and humor - can give us the courage to face a world that often appears uncertain and threatening. 6" x 9", 300 pages, hardcover

Joha has Janus' double face: On the one hand, he is innocent and stupid; on the other, a trickster. He is a cheater and is cheated. He sets traps for others and falls into traps himself; he is simpleton and liar, victimizer and victim. But as a literary figure he never dies. The nearly 300 stories in this lovely volume are from Sephardic oral literature and ethnic culture. They were told to Matilda Koen-Sarano in their original language, Judeo-Spanish (Ladino), and documented over 21 years. From 17 countries, including the United States, they come together in this first-ever collection of Joha stories to appear in English. Known in some places as Ladino, Judeo-Spanish is a living remnant of the Spanish spoken by the Jews of Spain at the end of the 15th century. Matilda Koen-Sarano, born to a Sephardic family, has devoted her life to the conservation and revitalization of this language, culture, and heritage. Joha, according to Ladino tradition, is a popular folklore character, one who is conniving yet also beguiling. He plays many roles: He makes us laugh; liberates us from taboos; makes it possible to tell the whole, sometimes painful, truth in a humorous way; and helps us triumph over our enemies through laughter. These stories have entertained generations of Sephardic children and adults and will delight readers of any age. 6" x 9", 296 pages, 15 full-page black/white illustrations, hardcover