Pathways: Jews Who Return

by Richard H. Greenberg

Overview

Known as baalei teshuvah "those who return," formerly secular and marginally religious Jews are returning to embrace traditional Judaism and reclaiming it as an enriching and viable way of life. Pathways: Jews Who Return is a collection of first-person oral histories that illuminates the journey.

Many of those interviewed came from secular American homes, some had a more informed Jewish background. Whether they were actively searching for spiritual fulfillment or stumbled upon their Jewish heritage, these baalei teshuvah were ultimately all inspired to lead lives infused with Torah regardless of the difficulties or challenges they faced in rearranging their lives to align with Torah values.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781568219905
Publisher:	Aronson, Jason Inc.
Publication date:	11/01/1996
Pages:	296
Product dimensions:	6.50(w) x 9.40(h) x 1.05(d)

Editorial Reviews

Ever since the publication of Wade Clark Roof's Generation of Seekers, American culture has kept an eye on baby boomers and others who are returning to religion or otherwise seeking a sense of heritage, rootedness and meaning in life. This book looks at those who, though raised Jewish, left the practice of Judaism for some time and later returned to the faith as Orthodox Jews. The stories of these ba'alei teshuvah ("those who return") are chronicled here by Greenberg, a journalist who made his own return to Judaism through Orthodoxy. His own sympathies sometimes prevent him from asking hard questions of his subjects. Women, for instance, are asked about feminism and Orthodoxy, but men are never asked how they feel about the roles assigned to them by their religion. Nonetheless, the stories of the 31 people interviewed provide a fascinating portrait of the paths that led people into Orthodoxy, and the myriad ways they struggle in the process of learning to be observant Jews. (Feb.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

In this book of interviews, Greenberg, a freelance author and editor, explores the phenomenon of secular or marginally affiliated Jews who embrace traditional or Orthodox Judaism. Greenberg has embraced Orthodox Judaism and his enthusiasm is shared by the people he has interviewed, mostly middle-aged professional men and women who have turned to Orthodox Judaism through a rediscovery of spiritual roots. For instance, the film critic Michael Medved tells how his family's Passover ceremony became a catalyst in his life. For many, the choice to live an Orthodox Jewish life has not been without difficulty, sometimes causing estrangement from family, friends, and colleagues. This collection is most suitable for those contemplating a similar turning in their own lives. It has a very select audience and it is an optional purchase for libraries serving a Jewish clientele. For a look at another aspect of orthodox Jewish expression, libraries should consider Samuel Heilman's more scholarly though readable study, Defenders of the Faith: Inside Ultra-Orthodox Jewry (LJ 2/1/92).-Paul Kaplan, Lake Villa Dist. Lib., Ill.

Library Journal