Amazing Chesed

Amazing Chesed
Author: Rabbi Rami Shapiro
Publisher: Jewish Lights Publishing
Total Pages: 178
Release: 2012-11
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1580236243

The question isn¿t whether grace¿ God¿s love freely given¿is there for you in Judaism. The question is, do you have the courage to accept it? Ask almost any Jew whether grace is a central concept in Judaism and an essential element in living Jewishly, and, chances are, their answer will be ¿no.¿ But that¿s the wrong answer. This fascinating foray into God¿s love freely given offers the reader a way to answer that question in the affirmative. Drawing from ancient and contemporary, traditional and non-traditional Jewish wisdom, this book reclaims the idea of grace in Judaism in three ways: ¿ It offers a view of God that helps the reader understand what grace is, why grace is, and how grace manifests in the world. ¿ It sets forth a reading of Judaism that is grace-filled: an understanding of creation, Shabbat and other Jewish practices from a grace-filled perspective. ¿ It challenges the reader to be embraced and transformed by grace, and to live life as a vehicle for God¿s grace, thereby fulfilling the promise of being created in God¿s image and likeness.

Spiritual Community

Spiritual Community
Author: Rabbi David A. Teutsch, PhD
Publisher: Turner Publishing Company
Total Pages: 125
Release: 2013-01-17
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 158023707X

Reimagine the Possibilities for Your Own Congregation We all share a deep human need for meaning in our lives, a need to feel that we are part of something larger than ourselves. Yet many of us have discovered that successful careers, material affluence—even loving families—are not enough to satisfy this longing. And, too often, the congregations and organizations in which we seek greater meaning are uninspiring, or worse. The answer lies in belonging to a strong spiritual community—not just a collection of individuals but a dynamic, integrated congregation linked by commitment and vision, sustained by friendship and shared experience. But how to build it? Informative and encouraging, wise and practical, Spiritual Community looks at congregations and organizations—what they are and what they might become—and reveals the unique role they have the potential to play in refreshing our minds, transforming our hearts and giving our lives meaning. From establishing “radiant centers” to welcome people into the heart of the community, to reclaiming the power of ritual, to suggesting strategies for dealing with conflict—Rabbi Teutsch offers practical solutions to challenges congregations commonly face making themselves into spiritual communities. This is essential reading for every spiritual and lay leader—for anyone who wants to transform their congregation or organization into a strong spiritual community.

Being God’S Beloved

Being God’S Beloved
Author: Adrian D. van Breda
Publisher: WestBow Press
Total Pages: 253
Release: 2014-10-21
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1490853359

Many of us struggle to come to grips with the idea that God loves us. We may know it and believe it in our heads, but getting that into our hearts and into our lives is not easy. Sometimes what we have learned about God makes it even harder to really know that we are Gods beloved. Being Gods Beloved will lead you through forty reflections on what it means to be beloved of God, combining deep spirituality, thoughtful Bible study, and warm pastoral care. The reflections lead you on a journey from before creation, through the Old Testament, into the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, and on to the presence of the Holy Spirit. It tells the great love story of God for the Creation over thousands of years. Providing fresh insights into well-known passages, making thoughtful use of word studies, and inviting us to think creatively about God in relation to the world, this book will immerse you in an awareness of Gods love.

Increasing Wholeness

Increasing Wholeness
Author: Rabbi Elie Kaplan Spitz
Publisher: Jewish Lights Publishing
Total Pages: 208
Release: 2015-03-02
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1580238238

Combines Jewish tradition, contemporary sciences and world spiritual writings with practical contemplative exercises. Will help you balance and integrate mind, body, heart and spirit, reach out to the Divine, and be more fully present and effective in your life.

Journey Together

Journey Together
Author: Sarah Hermelin
Publisher: Urim Publications
Total Pages: 385
Release: 2016-06-15
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9655242544

Offering a model of self-improvement rooted in Jewish thought and practice, Journey Together explains the mystical system of counting the Omer—a Jewish practice of counting the days between the holidays of Passover and Pentecost—focusing on a different personality characteristic on each of the 49 days. The author illustrates how each trait can be improved with easy-to-grasp examples from the Bible as well as inspirational modern-day stories. Each chapter concludes with exercises that parents and children can carry out together to help strengthen the family bond. This guide serves to make the counting of the Omer a transformative experience for families who take the time to apply its insights and lessons into their lives.

Christian Fruit--Jewish Root

Christian Fruit--Jewish Root
Author: John D. Garr
Publisher: Golden Key Press
Total Pages: 417
Release: 2015-04-13
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1940685273

Christian Fruit--Jewish Root is an in-depth, scholarly examination of the Hebraic foundations of the major tenets and practices of Christianity. This volume confirms the truth that the inherent Jewishness of the Christian faith is simply an undeniable historical and theological fact. By evaluating Christian doctrine and polity through the Jewish mindset of Jesus and the apostles, this book uncovers a veritable treasure of Hebraic truth. For every authentic Christian fruit, there is a Jewish toot! This truth id demonstrated across a wide spectrum of theological truth, including: Scripture, Messiah, Salvation, Faith, Baptism, Gospel, Grace, and Descipleship. Christianity owes a profound debt of gratitude to the Jewish people and to biblical and Second Temple Judaism for the foundations of the truths and practices that it hold dear. As you read this challenging, informative, and inspirational book, you will be amazed at just how Jewish Christianity, the "other Jewish religion," actually is.

Perennial Wisdom for the Spiritually Independent

Perennial Wisdom for the Spiritually Independent
Author: Rami M. Shapiro
Publisher: SkyLight Paths Publishing
Total Pages: 338
Release: 2013
Genre: Body, Mind & Spirit
ISBN: 1594735158

The spiritual teachings of many faith traditions can help you step beyond the limits of any one tradition to the reality that can't be named. The fastest growing spiritual movement in the United States today is that of the religiously unaffiliated. These spiritual seekers make up 20 percent of the adult American population; they are the spiritual equivalent of political independents. Refusing to limit themselves to one religion or another, these seekers without borders are open to wisdom wherever it can be found. This is a "bible" for this vast and growing social movement. It weaves sacred texts and teachings from the world's major religions--Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and more--into a coherent exploration of the five core questions at the heart of every religion's search: * Who am I? * Where did I come from? * Where am I going? * How shall I live? * Why? It couples these sacred teachings with modern commentary designed to help readers use these texts in their daily lives. It also provides the basics of spiritual mentor Eknath Easwaran's Passage Meditation to help you internalize the texts that articulate your deepest insights and values.

The Jewish Book of Grief and Healing

The Jewish Book of Grief and Healing
Author: Stuart M. Matlins
Publisher: Turner Publishing Company
Total Pages: 233
Release: 2016-03-29
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1580238610

Wisdom, solace and inspiration from Jewish tradition to bring you hope and healing after loss. "Mourning can open doors you may not have imagined before your life was shaken by loss. This book provides keys to those doors and a way into the rooms beyond them. Whether you stand at grief's threshold or give counsel to someone who does, this book can offer guidance.... With words of wisdom, ranging from comforting to provocative, each author stands at the entrance to one of mourning’s doors, extending a hand to offer the key you will need, inviting you into one of these deep conversations." ―from the Preface by Rabbi Anne Brener, LCSW Beloved and respected spiritual leaders from across the Jewish denominational spectrum share insights from their experience, Jewish tradition and their personal encounters with grief and healing. This wide range of perspectives, offered with grace and compassion, will be a treasured resource in your time of grief. Whether mourning a recent loss or experiencing pain from old scars, you will be encouraged and challenged to be fully, vulnerably present to your emotions; forgive your own shortcomings and those of others; and remain open to love despite pain and uncertainty. Contributors: Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson, DHL • Rabbi Anne Brener, LCSW • Dr. Norman J. Cohen • Rabbi Mike Comins • Rabbi David A. Cooper • Rabbi Rachel Cowan • Rabbi Edward Feinstein • Rabbi Nancy Flam • Rabbi Lori Forman-Jacobi • Rabbi Dayle A. Friedman, MSW, MA, BCC • Debbie Friedman • Rabbi Nancy Fuchs-Kreimer, PhD • Nan Fink Gefen, PhD • Rabbi Neil Gillman, PhD • Rabbi Edwin Goldberg, DHL • Rabbi Arthur Green, PhD • Dr. David Hartman • Rabbi Lawrence A. Hoffman, PhD • Rabbi Margaret Holub • Rabbi Karyn D. Kedar • Rabbi Lawrence Kushner • Rabbi Maurice Lamm • Rabbi Naomi Levy • Rabbi David Lyon • Rabbi Joseph B. Meszler • Rabbi James L. Mirel • Rabbi Kerry M. Olitzky • Rabbi Daniel F. Polish, PhD • Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso • Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis • Rabbi Dannel I. Schwartz • Rabbi Elie Kaplan Spitz • Rabbi Rami Shapiro • Rachel Josefowitz Siegel • Rabbi Shira Stern, DMin, BCC • Rabbi Nancy Wechsler-Azen • Karen Bonnell Werth • Rabbi Nancy H. Wiener, DMin • Dr. Ron Wolfson • Rabbi Sheldon Zimmerman For use by individuals as well as in groups or counseling settings.

Journeys to a Jewish Life

Journeys to a Jewish Life
Author: Paula Amann
Publisher: Turner Publishing Company
Total Pages: 232
Release: 2013-09-12
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1580237851

Follow the soul treks of Jews lost and found. Be inspired to connect with Judaism in new ways. “No two people take the same journey.... Yet the telling of each story can ease the footsteps of those who follow.... It is my hope that [these] tales will offer you camaraderie, a guidepost here and there, and, most of all, the heart and strength to pursue your own path.” —from the Introduction What draws Jews back to their religious roots? What drives them away? What obstacles must they overcome to find their way home? Paula Amann candidly probes these questions and more as she explores how secular and nominal Jews are blazing their own trails toward a vibrant, twenty-first-century Judaism. With the ear of a journalist and the heart of a seeker, Amann weaves a tapestry of human stories—of alienation, connection, spiritual detours, and unexpected portals into a life of faith. The people you meet in this engaging book will throw a fresh light on Jewish thought and practice. And their tales of personal transformation might just renew your relationship with Judaism—or send you off on your own Jewish journey. Topics include: Swerving In and Out of Other Faiths Traditions That Chafe The Arts as a Portal Healing Body and Soul Making a Jewish Life That Works ... And Many Others

The Chutzpah Imperative

The Chutzpah Imperative
Author: Rabbi Edward Feinstein
Publisher: Turner Publishing Company
Total Pages: 189
Release: 2014-09-24
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1580238157

Reconnect with Judaism's most important contribution to humanity—and redeem our world. "The gift of Judaism is an understanding of what it means to be a human being—what we can do, what we can hope for, how we can live with purpose, what is expected of us. It is a celebration of human freedom, human possibility and human responsibility. Judaism is a way to live a heroic life, to construct a life devoted to values that are eternal, values of ultimate significance. The reward of a Jewish life is walking the world with a profound faith that you matter, your life matters, your dreams matter. I call this chutzpah." —from the Introduction In this clarion call for a new way to “do Judaism,” award-winning spiritual leader Rabbi Edward Feinstein urges us to recover this message of Jewish self-empowerment—or chutzpah—to reshape our world. He walks us through the history of chutzpah—from the early chapters of Genesis, Jewish biblical law and the Rabbis of the Talmud to the mystics of medieval Spain and the European Hasidic tradition, Zionism and post-Holocaust thought. By showing us the ever-presence of chutzpah in Judaism he reveals the inner story of the Jewish People’s soul as well as the meaning that Judaism’s deepest purpose and most precious treasure has for us today.