Searching for My Brothers: Jewish Men in a Gentile World - Softcover

Salkin, Jeffrey K.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0399526153 ISBN 13: 9780399526152

Publisher: Perigee Trade, 2000

Synopsis

The rabbi-author of Being God's Partner draws on his own memories of groing up Jewish in an all-American suburb, as well as stories from early Judaism, to explore the ethical and spiritual principles of Jewish male life. Reprint.

About this title

About the Author

Rabbi Jeffrey K. Salkin is the senior rabbi of Long Island's Community Synagogue. He is the author of Putting God on the Guest List and Being God's Partner, praised by Thomas Moore as "an exemplary blend of religion and contemporary life." Rabbi Salkin lives in Port Washington, New York.

From Kirkus Reviews

A fine contribution to both the emerging fields of mens studies and the more popular, accessible branch of Jewish studies. Salkin, a Long Islandbased congregational rabbi and author of Putting God on Your Guest List: How to Reclaim the Spiritual Meaning of Your Childs Bar or Bat Mitzvah and of Being Gods Partner, establishes Judaism as a counter-tradition to the general cultures conception of masculinity. Thus, as opposed to the rugged individualism of the Marlboro man, it emphasizes brains and speech instead of brawn and action, and ethical behavior in lieu of individual achievement. The real Jewish man, Salkin states, is a mensch in his business practices, speech, and family life. Nor is he afraid to be as emotionally vulnerable as his model, the ultimate Jewish Father; Salkin includes a rabbinic story of God weeping after the destruction of the Jews Temple by the Romans. At times, this feminine focus on the intellectual, ethical, and emotive has been a problem for real Jewish boys, adolescents, and men, although Zionism, with its championing of muscular Judaism, and the military exploits of the State of Israel, has provided an important corrective. Salkin also shows how Jewish teachings promote a healthy, balanced perspective towards ambition, work, women, and sex. He does so by drawing extensively upon the Torah and upon the short rabbinic homiletic narratives known as midrashim, as well as upon personal, family, and congregational anecdotes. Salkins popularization inevitably leads to some simplification, as when he states that Jews had lived their lives for centuries in Europe . . . through the patterns of docility and acquiescence. Far more often, however, he beautifully integrates texts or anecdotes with a discussion of some aspect of Jewish masculinity. He has particularly excellent chapters on two male Jewish rites of passage: the bris (circumcision) and the Bar Mitzvah. And he writes fluidly and crisply throughout. His book contains no rhetorical or narrative fat; it isa rare achievement these daysjust the right length. Given the rich array of texts he marshals, Salkin should appeal not only to many Jewish menand womenbut also to others who seek guidance on becoming a mensch of a man. -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

About this edition

• Publisher: Perigee Trade
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0399526153
• ISBN 13: 9780399526152
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• Number of pages: 244