"Amazing Chesed: Living a Grace-Filled Judaism" by Rabbi Rami Shapiro

 

While the common perception is that Christianity is full of grace while Judaism is full of justice, Rabbi Shapiro turns that argument on its head.  He posits that Judaism actually invented grace and that--while not widely advertised--the Hebrew faith is full of grace.  Shapiro quotes several Bible passages and even goes into detail on what the original Hebrew text means (sometimes things get lost in translation when going from Hebrew to English).  He also expounds on famous stories like Creation, The Flood, Jonah and the Whale, and Job who is the quintessential example of "bad things happening to good people".  Shapiro's thesis is that grace isn't something that can be earned but rather something we receive.  Just like how radio stations are broadcasting music for all but are only audible by those tuned into the appropriate frequency, grace is available for all if only we ready ourselves to receive it.  Living with grace means becoming aware of God, aware of oneself, and aware of the world. 

"I'd Like to Call for Help, but I Don't Know the Number" by Abraham J. Twerski, M.D.

While the front of the book carries the subtitle "the search for spirituality in everyday life", the pages within make extensive references to the Twelve Step Alcoholics Anonymous program.  As a famous rabbi and psychiatrist, Twerski has counseled countless individuals on their road to recovery.  In his experience, the most effective way to get addicts off their drugs is not just talk therapy or even psychotherapy but rather group therapy in a Twelve Step setting.  While those not battling addictions may be quick to put the book down, Twerski argues that the methodologies in the Alcoholics Anonymous program can help anyone on a road to spirituality.  Even though he is a rabbi, Twerski does not proselytize.  He even goes so far as to say that readers need not accept his view of God or even belong to organized religion.  However, in order to achieve a heightened state of consciousness--spirituality--man must acknowledge that he is not in control and there is a "higher power".  Along this journey, readers are encouraged to take a self assessment of their character (including flaws), find their purpose in life, and make amends with anyone they've hurt (where possible).  I'm no alcoholic but I found great value and lessons in the pages of this book.  

 

"Face Workouts for Beginners" by Nadira V Persaud

Having heard of the "face yoga" trend, I decided to give this book a try.  The premise is that the muscles in one's face are no different than the muscles in other parts of the body.  What you don't use, you lose!  Many of the workouts are intuitive and make sense--stretch your neck, open and close your jaw, look up, look left, look right, and so on.  There are also massage techniques for relieving pressure / stress at various points on the face.  Where the book lost me, though, is on the skin pulling exercises.  Several parts of the book instruct readers to literally grab, hold, and pull on the skin face.  I'm no face yoga expert, but I don't think pulling on face skin is going to make anyone look any younger.  While this book has some good tips, I would say it is not a magic cure for the effects of father time.

"That's Not a Fault...It's a Character Trait" by Abraham J. Twerski, M.D.

Acclaimed rabbi and psychiatrist Abraham J. Twerski brings psychology to life with the beloved characters of Charles M. Schultz's "Peanuts".  Just as it is easier to see flaws in others as opposed to oneself, it is even easier to see flaws in cartoon characters.  Someone struggling with feelings of low self worth may not realize it until they see their same behavior reflected in Charlie Brown.  Someone struggling with feelings of fantasy may not realize it until they see their same behavior reflected in Snoopy.  Someone struggling with feelings of narcissism may not realize it until they see their same behavior reflected in Lucy.  Throughout the book, Twerski shows us how the very same traits depicted in the life of cartoon characters are inside us all to some degree.  Words can not do this book justice.  Readers are encouraged to follow along the "Peanuts" gang in Twerski's masterpiece to see how psychology becomes little more than children's play when viewed objectively.  While Twerski is not against therapy--he is a psychologist after all--his book goes to show us that sometimes all that's needed to spark change is to see one's faults reflected in someone else.  If that happens to be a "Peanuts" character, so be it.   

"No More Dirty Looks" by Siobhan O'Connor & Alexandra Spunt

The purpose of this book is to educate readers on the chemicals used in the beauty industry.  From lipstick to shampoo to lotion to face wash to sunscreen to mascara and more, this book covers it all.  Many people trust companies and assume that the government has laws in place to protect the consumer.  Unfortunately, as the book explains, the regulatory framework is underfunded and full of loopholes.  Just like how questionable chemicals sneak their way into processed foods, questionable chemicals sneak their way into processed beauty products.  Each chapter covers a list of chemicals, their uses, and their dangers.  Then there are alternatives listed, as well as the personal stories from the authors.  While chemicals in beauty products are not likely to kill people (the FDA at least covers that!), there is much concern over the long term effects.  Unlike "unhealthy" food that can be enjoyed in moderation, most cosmetics are used by women either daily or multiple times a week.  The authors' position is that the best health and beauty comes from using products that are as natural as possible.  As demonstrated by nicotine patches, what goes on the body makes its way into the body.  If something is not safe to eat, should it really be placed on the body?  While it may be difficult to cleanse all of one's beauty products, every little bit helps.

"Life's Too Short" by Rabbi Abraham J Twerski, MD

 

In this self-help book, acclaimed rabbi and medical psychiatrist Rabbi Twerski dives into self esteem.  With various case studies of patients and friends, the author showcases how low self esteem can contribute to self-sabotaging behaviors (with negative consequences).  Twerski assures readers that they are more special, smart, and valuable than they may think.  He highlights how negative self image destroys people and how those who overcame such thoughts were able to turn their lives around.  There is also a section in the back of the book about raising children with healthy self esteem.  Twerski highlights that--while basic necessities like food and shelter must be met--it is never good to overwork oneself solely to provide for one's child.  No matter how prestigious the school or fancy the toys, children seeing their parents work constantly without spending much time with them is harmful to their development of self worth.  To put it simply, a child benefits more from a modest upbringing with plenty of parental interaction as opposed to an extravagant upbringing with little parental interaction.

"It's Not As Tough As You Think" by Rabbi Abraham J Twerski, MD

Spirituality meets self-help in this book.  As both a rabbi and medical doctor of psychiatry, Twerski is able to put everyday problems into perspective.  Each of the 100+ "chapters" are succinct--not more than a page or two.  Instead of preaching at readers, they offer entertaining and thought-provoking stories.  These stories illustrate key points that amount to the title.  Things are not as tough as we think.  Throughout the book, Twerski shows readers how to be grateful, wise, humble, happy, joyous, and confident.  Just when we think something is really awful, we need to put it in perspective and remind ourselves that it's not the end of the world.  By controlling our mood, outlook, and perspective, we are well on our way to stressing less about life's everyday upsets.

 

"The Natural Beauty & Bath Book" by Casey Kellar

Full of natural recipes and home remedies, this book is sure to delight.  From perfumes to lotions to creams and more, Kellar explains to readers not just why homemade cosmetics are wonderful but also how to make them at home.  Each chapter begins with an introduction highlighting key terms and methods.  There is even a part in the back of the book dedicated to "grandma's secrets" and how to store homemade beauty products elegantly.  I had fun reading this book and feel like it helped shed some light on how people generations ago handled beauty.  Want to bathe in honey and roses like ancient royalty?  Kellar will show you how.  Want to make your own perfume with scents you adore?  Kellar will show you how.  There are also plenty of full color images to help readers visualize the creative processes.

"The Feminine Soul" by Chana Weisberg

 

A remarkable read, this book explains to women the significance of their gender in Judaism.  Ever wondered why ladies light Shabbat candles?  Ever wonder why ladies tear off a piece of challah and discard it?  Ever had questions about the whole mikvah thing and "family purity"?  This book covers those topics and more.  In easy to understand language, Weisberg shows women the beauty and spirituality of their actions that only they can do.  There is also a section in the back of the book explaining feminine energy in kabbalah and how women have a unique role to play in ushering in the era of redemption (i.e.- a Uptonian era when there is no more war).  Short and to the point, this book can be read in a few days. 

"The Weekend Makeover" by Jill Martin & Dana Ravich

This fun book will help any woman transform her life thru bite-sized weekend makeovers.  Everything from diet to exercise to friends to clutter and more is covered.  The chapters include step-by-step instructions for what to do on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  Now no one can say they are too busy to make a change as everyone can find at least one weekend to dedicate to an important area of their life.  If readers follow the weekend makeovers listed in this book, they will find themselves happier, better dressed, more sociable, and organized.  They may also have rekindled romance with their partner and caught up with friends they hadn't seen in years.  As with most books written by two authors, there is a good balance of different personalities and views that keeps the book interesting.

 

"Jerusalem Rising" by Barbara Britton

 

In the writings of the Hebrew Bible, the repair of the Temple wall is recorded.  One verse stands out since it references women assisting in this task--something normally designated to men only.  "Shallum son of Hallohesh and his daughters repaired the next section" (from Nehemiah 3:12).  Britton takes this one verse and crafts an entire story from it.  Readers learn about Adah and her family.  They see ancient Jerusalem thru her eyes as she first vows to help her aged parents rebuild their section of the wall.  Drama ensues when nearby enemies try to thwart the progress on the wall--something recorded in the Hebrew Bible.  There is some mild romance interwoven in the pages as Adah and her sister get married.  Wholesome yet enticing, there is nothing graphic.  While we may not know much about Shallum's daughters cited in Nehemiah 3:12, this book does an excellent job of creating a believable tale about these remarkable women.  Hebrew mannerisms and customs, as well as Hebrew phrases, are included to truly transport readers into this fascinating time.

"You Are What You Wear" by Jennifer Baumgartner

 

This book was so fun that I decided to host a book club to discuss it with friends.  Split into easy-to-digest chapters, this book focuses on common fashion mistakes.  The author covers things like not dressing one's age, dressing too provocatively, overspending on clothing, not having cohesive outfits, swimming in labels, hiding behind bulky clothing, and more.  As a psychologist, Baumgartner ties in psychology with fashion.  So instead of just saying what fashion errors people make, she explains *why* people make them in the first place and what internal work must be done for the inside to match the outside.  A key takeaway I had for myself is to invest in neutrals and to think twice before buying a statement item.  No matter how pretty a piece of clothing is, it is worthless if it doesn't "go" with anything in one's current wardrobe.  

"Balancing in Heels" by Kristin Cavallari

 

On the lookout for lifestyle books, this title caught my eye.  Not being too familiar with Cavallari I decided to learn about her life and what she has to say about wellness.  At first it can be easy to think that the blond thin famous woman has a perfect life that is unattainable for the average person.  However, as readers go thru the book, they learn that Kristin has had her own struggles in life.  While now married to a wealthy football player, she actually broke of her engagement with him the first time around and had a baby before being officially married.  Despite being happy now, Cavallari's journey to wife and mom were not exactly easy.  Also, while it can be easy to think Cavallari is just blessed with a good physique and looks, readers understand that anyone can be fit and glowing like her.  By eating whole unprocessed foods and working out consistency, any woman can become her healthiest self.  Overall this book was a fun read and I would recommend it to others.

"Face Yoga" by Annelise Hagen

 

Having just recently heard of the concept of "face yoga", I decided to read up on it.  I learned about puffing up my cheeks like a trumpet player, blowing kisses like a movie star, puckering up my face like a fish, and other techniques.  While this book does have some face yoga exercises / examples in it, that actually makes up a very small portion of the pages.  The bulk of the book discusses regular yoga, diet, exercise, meditation, and mindset.  Overall it was a nice book but I did feel the title was a tad misleading given the amount of content solely focused on face yoga.

"Modesty: A Fashion Paradox" by Hafsa Lodi

This fascinating book covers modest fashion from a primarily Muslim perspective.  That being said, the author does occasionally weave in parallels with Christian and Jewish traditions which--while not as strict as Islam--promote their own form of modesty.  Surprisingly, Lodi who is a Muslim herself does not cover her hair.  She approaches fashion from a straightforward approach.  While she does not avoid the topic of religion, she also does not force it on readers.  As a non-Muslim myself, I learned a great deal about Islamic fashion while not feeling like I was being proselytized to.  It was interesting to see how modesty standards vary within even the Muslim community itself.  While some Muslim models are celebrated as heroes, others are criticized as not being modest enough.  From those who argue over whether or not to cover one's hair to what specific hair covering is appropriate, there is a myriad of opinions.  There are even those who argue over colors, sparkles, and even nail polish.  Lodi does a good job representing diverse opinions without overtly favoring one over the other.  This book is a great read for people of all faiths (or none) who want to learn more about modest fashion.  It should be noted that this book is more academic / historical and is not in any way any sort of "how to" guide for modest dressing.  Aside from a few color photos in the middle of the book, this is primarily text.

"Crown of Creation" by Chana Weisberg

 

Chana Weisberg is one of my favorite teachers when it comes to women and Judaism.  While this book is a tad more academic than leisurely, it is fascinating nonetheless.  Chana walks readers thru the lives of Sara, Rebecca, Ruth, Esther, and more.  Through both biblical and talmudic sources, she weaves together tales of mystical proportions.  All of this is done in an attempt to understand the spiritual forces behind the actions of great Jewish women.  I found this book to be very thought-provoking.

Children's Shabbat Books

These various children's books all center around the Jewish theme of Shabbat.  In "Shabbat Shalom" by Douglas Florian, kids enjoy a wooden book with bright colors walking them thru preparation for a delicious Shabbat dinner.  In "Chik Chak Shabbat" by Mara Rockliff, young readers see how a whole community comes together to make food for their cholent chef when she is ill.  In "On Shabbat" by Cathy Fishman, kids are walked thru Shabbat customs with a keen eye for tradition.  In "Around the World in One Shabbat" by Durga Bernhard, children see how families all around the globe celebrate Shabbat differently.  In "Soosie the Horse that Saved Shabbat", kids are delighted to see a horse deliver challah all around town.  In "Dinosaur on Shabbat" by Diane Rauchwerger, little ones laugh along at a dinosaur's clumsy attempts at celebrating Shabbat.  In "The Shabbat Princess" by Amy Meltzer, girls vicariously live thru the Shabbat Queen as they dress up in their finest attire.  All in all, these children's books are rather delightful.  They are an excellent way to take a relaxing break on any Shabbat of the year.  Enjoy!

"Midnight Sun" by Stephenie Meyer

 I remember years ago reading the Twilight Series as a teenager.  The story of a girl falling in love with a vampire was very popular.  Four books and four movies later, the author was an international sensation.  All of the books from the original series are written from the perspective of the female protagonist--Bella.  I recall years ago there were musings that the author was writing a parallel book telling the same story but this time from the male vampire's perspective--Edward.  Unfortunately, someone leaked a few chapters from the manuscript onto the internet.  Upset from this betrayal, the author Meyer halted all work and publication of the book.  Much to my surprise, I discovered she recently changed her mind.  Meyer both finished and published her book.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  Although, it should be noted that this book is really just the first Twilight book from Edward the vampire's perspective.  It does not cover Edward's side of things throughout all four books of the original series.  Nevertheless, it does give readers enough of a window into his mind to understand how he feels.

"Miraculous Living" by Rabbi Shoni Labowitz

Beautifully written and thoughtfully organized, this book takes readers on a guided journey of kabbalah thru the ten gates of the tree of life.  Each of the ten "gates" is preceded by a summary of the gate.  Each subsequent chapter (only a few pages at a time) starts off with double quotations.  One quote is from Jewish sources while one quote is from Taoist / Buddhist sources.  The author weaves traditional Judaism in with eastern religious principles.  Though each chapter is quick enough to read in ten minutes, readers will find themselves mulling over the words time and time again.  The book is written in such a concise yet profound way.  There is no "fluff" or paragraphs for the sake of paragraphs.  Rather, each sentence is carefully crafter to lure the reader deeper into their own soul awakening.

 

"Jews, God and History" by Max I Dimont

 

Recommended to me by a friend, this book packed a punch when it came to historical commentary.  Starting at the beginning of the Bible and ending with the current day, the author historian chronicles the Jewish journey through time.  Many civilizations have risen and fallen.  Many have been absorbed into other civilizations.  But something special not only made Judaism survive but also blessed the nations where Jews settled.  Dimont follows the Jews through centuries and continents, noting the changes in economics, law, and culture.  He argues that the Jewish people aren't so much a "lucky charm" as God's chosen people but rather a mass of ideas that has catapulted the world into a more civilized age.  Excellently written and unusually captivating for a history book, this tale of the Jewish saga does not disappoint.