Why (Not) Me?: Searching for God When We Suffer

“This is a story of enduring friendship and devastating illness, but also of repair, renewal, and the power of love to illuminate the miracle of ordinary life.”
— Letty Cottin Pogrebin
Author of How to Be a Friend to a Friend Who’s Sick

Why Not Me? is honest, funny, touching, agonizing, hopeful, faithful – a must for Jews and Christians, clergy and laity alike.

Virginia C. Hoch

The Christian Century

One man’s confrontation with his mortality seen through another person’s eyes.

In the face of devastating loss, the human soul still yearns for answers to timeless questions. What’s the meaning behind our pain? How does the divine intersect with our anguish? Where does evil fit into this narrative?

This is the story of Rabbi Hirshel Jaffe's brave battle with hairy cell leukemia, as witnessed by his friends, Jim and Marcia Rudin. The narrative seamlessly intertwines his personal struggles with profound philosophical and spiritual questions.

Eugene J. Fisher, Distinguished Professor of Theology at Saint Leo University, writes, “This is a very moving book [that provides insights into] how Jewish traditions have helped Jews survive tragedies over the centuries and today.”

Explore the wisdom faith offers when facing a medical crisis. Through Hirshel’s eyes—as not just a patient, but also a rabbi tasked with consoling others—you’ll grasp the enduring and transformative power of belief, especially in the darkest times.

The essence of this book surpasses eras and societal evolutions. Hirshel’s contemplations on life, mortality, and faith continue to touch souls, offering a balm for life’s daunting trials. Why Not Me? serves as a lantern for all navigating our personal tempests.