This wasn't quite what I was expecting--I was expecting (and would have preferred) more of a personal narrative and not just a summary of Jewish beliefs (which I already knew). But it was nice to read a book that articulated reasons for Judaism, and why traditional, albeit modified, practice is still relevant and meaningful in an age of "pick what appeals to you." ( )

This is the book that made me start looking seriously at Judaism.

There are not a lot of book for people looking to explore Judaism and see if it's a good fit for them. I was not the target audience- I'm an atheist, raised Christian, and this book seems more intended for Jews who have struggled to connect with their religion- but I have been curious about Judaism for some time now, and the author's experiences really resonated with me.

While I'm not ready to go convert this minute, it's made me think about taking some classes (once the mess that is the Coronavirus pandemic is done with), and certainly given me some perspective. ( )

"After a decade as a political speechwriter for leaders like Hillary Clinton and President Barack Obama, and as head speechwriter for First Lady Michelle Obama, Sarah Hurwitz decided to apply her skills as a communicator to writing a book...about Judaism. And no one is more surprised than she is. Hurwitz was the quintessential lapsed Jew - until, at age thirty-six, after a tough break-up, she happened upon an advertisement for a beginner's class on Judaism. She attended on a whim, but was blown-away by what she found: beautiful rituals, helpful guidance on living an ethical life, conceptions of God beyond the judgy bearded man in the sky - none of which she had learned in Hebrew school or during the two synagogue services she grudgingly attended each year. That class led to a challenging, moving - and ultimately life-transforming - journey. Hurwitz visited the offices of rabbis, attended Jewish meditation retreats, sat at the Shabbat tables of Orthodox families, and read hundreds of books about Judaism--all in dogged pursuit of answers to her biggest life questions"--