Introducing My Faith and My Community: The Jewish Outreach Institute Guide for a Christian in a Jewish Interfaith Relationship - Softcover

Olitzky, Rabbi Kerry M.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1580231926 ISBN 13: 9781580231923

Publisher: Jewish Lights, 2004

Synopsis

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 Community provides 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

About this title

About the Author

Rabbi Kerry M. Olitzky, named one of the fifty leading rabbis in North America by Newsweek, is well known for his inspiring books that bring the Jewish wisdom tradition into everyday life. He is executive director of Big Tent Judaism, formerly Jewish Outreach Institute, and is author of many books on Jewish spirituality, healing and Jewish religious practice, including Making a Successful Jewish Interfaith Marriage: The Big Tent Judaism Guide to Opportunities, Challenges and Resources; Introducing My Faith and My Community: The Jewish Outreach Institute Guide for a Christian in a Jewish Interfaith Relationship; Jewish Paths toward Healing and Wholeness: A Personal Guide to Dealing with Suffering; Grief in Our Seasons: A Mourner's Kaddish Companion; Twelve Jewish Steps to Recovery: A Personal Guide to Turning from Alcoholism & Other Addictions―Drugs, Food, Gambling, Sex...; Facing Cancer as a Family; Life's Daily Blessings: Inspiring Reflections on Gratitude for Every Day, Based on Jewish Wisdom; 100 Blessings Every Day: Daily Twelve Step Recovery Affirmations, Exercises for Personal Growth and Renewal Reflecting Seasons of the Jewish Year and Recovery from Codependance: A Jewish Twelve Step Guide to Healing Your Soul. He is also coauthor of Grandparenting Interfaith Grandchildren; Jewish Holidays: A Brief Introduction for Christians; Jewish Ritual: A Brief Introduction for Christians; Renewed Each Day, Vol. One―Genesis and Exodus: Daily Twelve Step Recovery Meditations; Renewed Each Day, Vol. Two―Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy: Daily Twelve Step Recovery Meditations Based on the Bible and coeditor of The Rituals and Practices of a Jewish Life: A Handbook for Personal Spiritual Renewal (all Jewish Lights).

Rabbi Kerry M. Olitzky is available to speak on the following topics:

• The Jewish Twelve Step Path to Healing and Recovery
• Sparks Beneath the Surface: A Spiritual Read on the Torah
• Welcoming the Stranger in Our Midst
• How to Nurture Jewish Grandchildren Being Raised in an Interfaith Family
• Optimism for a Jewish Future

Click here to contact the author.

From Publishers Weekly

The premise of this welcome wagon for Christians with Jewish partners or relatives derives from the Jewish value of welcoming the stranger. In a personable, accessible manner, Olitzky, author and director of the Jewish Outreach Institute, explains the profound concepts that differentiate Judaism from other religions, from its diverse views of God and perspectives on resurrection to its holidays and food. The basic concepts he outlines can be a first step to sharing a "common language for family conversations, celebrations and ceremonies," creating a sense of comfort instead of alienation. The book is divided into four chapters that Olitzky describes as the cornerstones of Judaism: faith, values, culture and community. Because some Jews may identify only with one aspect of Judaism, non-Jews don't often understand why Jewishness remains critical to those who don't practice it faithfully, "probably the biggest disconnect about Judaism for non-Jews." He outlines the differences in observance among the denominations of Judaism and calls community both a powerful force of goodness as well as a potentially forbidding and difficult place to enter. "Next steps" for deeper understanding and a glossary round out the basics. Olitzky's inviting take on Judaism—especially its theological underpinnings– makes for engrossing reading.
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About this edition

• Publisher: Jewish Lights
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 1580231926
• ISBN 13: 9781580231923
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 176