Stones in the Soul: One Day in the Life of an American Rabbi

Examines the Jewish tradition by following an ordinary day in a rabbi's life as he consoles grieving grandchildren and helps a boy prepare for his bar mitzvah

Reprinted from the Cleveland (Ohio) Plain Dealer , this inspirational re-creation of a day in the life of a rabbi invites serious contemplation. Kamin, spiritual leader of a Reform synagogue in that city, bares his grief over the failures of his ministry: he finds himself able to help neither a father whose son is a drug addict nor a youth who denies his Jewish heritage nor the parents who reject his gentile fiancee. Such crises, as well as indications of resurgent anti-Semitism, test the rabbi's faith. But as he considers the anguishing events of his day, Kamin finds consolation in happier, spiritually refreshing moments: a wedding, counseling a prisoner, arriving home to the joyful greetings of his two daughters--at such times "some stones in the soul may dissolve."
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

This book is a poignant look at a day in the life of a rabbi. Originally written as a magazine article, it captivates with its clear and direct manner. The author discusses the Jewish life cycle and the issues confronting contemporary Americans from a personal and religious viewpoint. His examination of drug and alcohol abuse, child abuse, suicide, family violence, and divorce is timely and caring, leading readers to consider their own reactions. Drawing heavily upon his own experiences growing up in Israel and as a teenager in the American Midwest during the 1960s, he examines suburban living and the role that he, as a Reform rabbi, plays there. Recommended for libraries of all sizes.
- Maurice Tuchman, Hebrew Coll . Lib., Brookline, Mass.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.