Customer Reviews (1)

Book on Secular Humanism
The book arrived at the appropriate time and in good condition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Ground-breaking but unrefined
This book is a great start for Humanist prayer, but Wine often takes subtle cracks at other belief systems with a subtle but unmistakable disregard in his prayers.

Freud was the grandfather of popular psychology, but his theories were unrefined. I attribute the same circumstance to Sherwin Wine in this book. ... Read more

Book Description
A contemporary vision of secular Judaism, containing a wide-sweeping cultural history of the Jewish people and a guide to self-definition for contemporary Jews seeking their identity in a non-religious culture, this book by Jewish historian Abraham Arnold has helped many Jews of younger and older generations find cultural self-understanding and peace without the obligation of conforming to the covenants of organized religion. Chapters on Judaism and feminism are especially fascinating. ... Read more

Book Description
EXODUS TO HUMANISM: Jewish Identity without Religion

is about How Humanism can help bring peace in the Middle East. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

It made me think!
After reading this book I asked myself:
What would happen when more and more people will realize that there is no God, no Heaven or Hell, no immortal soul and no divine revelation?
I hope that also the Jewish Identity, like the English, the German and the American identities will survive, because like the
English, the Germans and the Americans also the Jews have their own country again.

Traumatic but true
David Ibry, an Israeli born Jew, exhorts all Jews to face the traumatic fact that all religions including the Jewish Religion, are obsolete and that a Jewish Identity based solely on an obsolete religion will sooner or later become obsolete.
The author maintains that a really secular Israeli model, retaining the great Jewish history and traditions, but without depending on religious belief for its nationhood, would help to save the Jewish Identity in the Diaspora.

The dangers of religion
Yes,people are naturally inclined to antagonise those perceived
as different. Religions offer the opportunity to validate antagonsims and confrontations through messages which cannot be doubted because they are revealed from an infallible source.
Without religion people will still confront one another, but their antagonisms will becomeopen to human reasoning and compromise.

A Starting Point
I think the most important aspect of this book, aside from the fact thatit is well written and unpretentious is that it starts the dialogue-- theinner dialogue one has with one's self and the one between one Jew andanother.Ibry astutely avoids providing pat, specious answers, insteadthrowing open the discussion to fellow Jews and admitting that it is, infact, a brave new world.Recognizing that old traditions and sentimentsare hard to leave behind, he reminds us that the Jews invented Judaism, notthe other way around.

The questions and opinions explored in this book,while specifically addressing the Jewish dilemma in the Twentieth andTwenty-first centuries, should also have appeal to anyone who feelsconstrained by the implausibility--if not outright absurdity--of a deity asdescribed in ANY western religious scripture.

If you're looking for aplace to begin your transitional journey from theism to rational thought,done with wit, intelligence and emotion, this is the place to start.

Can Jews rely onreligion for their identity?
This book aims at providing an answer to this question. Included with the author's observations and experiences are arguments and explanations from26 Jewish contributors who have either rejected Judaism or have neverbelieved in it, including Prof. Sir Isaiah Berlin, Prof. Sir Herman Bondi,Prof. Albert Ellis, Prof. Adolf Grunbaum,Rose Hacker, Prof. George Klein,Dr. Henri Morgentaler, Prof. Jean-Claude Pecker, Prof. Ernest Poser, Prof.Howard Radest, Claire Rayner, Prof.Evry Schatzman, Helen Suzman, and ArnoldWesker. The author is concerned about the survival of the Jewish identitywhen Jews will realize that the religion of Judaism is obsolete and has theguts to face the problem head on.I found it of great help because itopened my mind to the realities of our day. ... Read more

Book Description
In Modern Jewish Identity: A Rationalistic Motivation for Remaining Jewish, Rudi and Ester Reisel take us on a fascinating journey through the biblical, philosophical, spiritual and ideological uniqueness of the Jewish people, their history and thought, and Judaism's ability to meet the social and scientific challenges in every generation. The Reisels use the biblical text and comments from traditional Jewish sources, including diverse sources such as A.B. Yehoshua, A.J. Heschel, Einstein, Prof. Y. Leibowitz, Rabbi J.B. Soloveitchik, Spinosa, and others to paint a pattern of unity and progress within Judaism and its effect on humanity as a whole.

The Reisels argue for unity within Judaism based on stressing common denominators, mutual respect, pluralism, and democratic tolerance - which they contend is the basis of the bible's humanistic and prophetic message.

For a twist, the authors also examine the origins of the dichotomy between science and religion. In addition, they demonstrate the curious connection between modern scientific understandings of energy and forces and the "Higher Power" of the bible. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

WHAT IS A JEW? WHO IS A JEW?
Rudi and Ester Reisel believe that the Bible and Jewish philosophy can provide the essential unity that so many Jews long for. The questions thathave plagued Jews since the emancipation ("Haskalah") are"what is a Jew?" and "who is a Jew." Or perhaps abetter question...why be Jewish at all? In this respect, the Reiselsprovide more answers for the latter question based on their grasp of Jewishhistory. If someone is looking for rational and non-traditional reasons tosustain their Jewish identity, then this book is a good attempt. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A book to go back to
I have never found such a rich synthesis of loving God and loving one's fellow, and the teachings this little book brings together - so much, taught so clearly and concisely - will, I am sure, continue to nourish me;a book to go back to.

Finding the reason for human existence.
A pomegranate of a book where each seed of truth plants itself within your heart as living awareness: person to person, moment to moment. Again and again I have read, reread, absorbed, mulled, contemplated and meditatedupon the fruits contained within the covers of this book.Buxbaum revealsand explains insights "found at the beginning of the Torah and at itsvery heart." An Open Heart: The Mystic Path of Loving People holdssignificant teachings for every human being.This is a very important bookto have and to share with others. ... Read more