Book Description
An anthology of articles addressing the the common medical questions that families face at the end of life, and offering insights into what the spirit needs at such times. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (1)

My favorite book on Kaplan
I'm one of those people who much prefer reading primary sources rather than secondary.I have not found many books on Kaplan to be nearly as illuminating as Kaplan himself.But this book blew me away.This is an extraordinarily well written, concise, well-researched, funny, and thoughtful book on Kaplan's life as an Orthodox rabbi at the same time as he was the gadfly of the Jewish Theological Seminary.If one wants to understand someone's philosophy, watch how they live, and in this, Kaplan's philosophy is shed in a very different light than the prescriptions found in his books.

Highly recommended.Great read for anyone interested in American Judaism, American Orthodoxy, Mordecai Kaplan, or even just the relationship between thinkers and their lives.A great tale. ... Read more

Book Description
Guides for an Age of Confusion compares and contrasts the views of the two great Jewish philosophers Avraham Y. Kook and Mordecai M. Kaplan. Although these two thinkers stand at opposite ends of the spectrum of Jewish thought, they are united in their love for the Jewish people and in their belief in the need for Jewish unity. Following an introduction to both men, the author, a disciple of Kaplan’s, explores their views regarding some of the most important issues confronting the Jewish people today. These include traditions such as Israel’s chosenness; the status of the Halakhah, traditional Jewish law, in today’s society; prayer and its revitalization; repentance (Teshuvah) leading to the return to God; and the role of Eretz Yisrael in the life of the Jewish people. Other topics covered are the idea of and the search for God, the position of women in Jewish society, and philosophies of education, along with an exploration of esthetics in Jewish life and the challenges of democracy. Each chapter provides an overview of the subject and then discusses the divergent views of the two thinkers, as well as their areas of agreement. Finally, the book endeavors to portray the future of Jewish life as envisaged through the eyes of these two great men. In the author’s view, a dialogue must be established between the followers of both Kook and Kaplan. Only in this way can Jewish solidarity be maintained and the Jewish future secured. This book is an effort to open that dialogue. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A superb presentation on Jewish life in modern times.
Guides for an Age of Confusion contrasts and compares the views of two great Jewish thinkers, exploring the social and religious issues confronting modern Jewish people and considering the evolution of Jewishreligion and rituals in the face of modern times. What evolves is anexcellent portrait of Jewish life and times. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The Introduction is worth the price
The Introduction, by Mel Scult, Rabbi Kaplan's biographer, lays out the historical background and development of Kaplan's formulation of God.He does so in a clear and authoritative manner, so that when you have read it you know Kaplan, and understand how he has influence the Jewish thinkers of his time, and continues to influence the course of Jewish thought across denominational lines.Witness, the recent historic changes in the Reform and Conservative Movements.It is only to be hoped that the Reconstructionist Movement, which Kaplan founded, will not fixate itself at the place where Kaplan left it 60 years ago, but will continue to further evolve as a vibrant movement, as Kaplan himself would have wish, had he lived to continue his evolutionary thought.

New Introduction
This book is Kaplan's most easily understood theological work. It is organized around the Jewish holidays but actually is an elaboration of the basic concepts of his theological system. This edition includes a new introduction, in which I attempt to put Kaplan's thought into historical perspective.Mel Scult ... Read more

Product Description
A new prayerbook published by the Federation of Reconstructionist Congregations. ... Read more