You can understand your Jewish friends and
loved ones more fully. A hands-on guide to the most important questions.
loved ones more fully. A hands-on guide to the most important questions.
Introducing My Faith and My Community provides an introduction to both the
basics and complexities of Judaism and Jewish life through the
lens of an interfaith relationship. Rather than providing stock
answers to questions about Jewish rituals or values, or giving
a broad overview of Jewish history and theology, Rabbi Kerry M.
Olitzky addresses topics that will encourage understanding and
stimulate discussion between you and your Jewish partner,
relative, or friend. Topics include:
• Beliefs, Religion,
and the Place of God in the Jewish Faith
• Study, Learning, and
Charity as Core Values in Jewish Life
• Food, Holidays,
Humor, and Ethnicity as Part of Jewish Culture
• The Importance of
Synagogue, Israel, and Community to American Jews
Praise for Rabbi Kerry M. Olitzky’s
Work
“As the grateful husband of a Jewish
wife, I strongly recommend this compact guide to anyone who is
personally involved in a Jewish-Christian relationship or who
knows someone who is. I wish it had been available to me many
years ago.”
—Harvey
Cox, Hollis Professor of Divinity,
Harvard University
“Rabbi Olitzky has his finger on the
pulse of contemporary Jews and others who seek to understand
the strands of Jewish belonging, behaving, and believing. In
this warm and learned book, he invites readers to enter the
home and sanctuary of Jews, and anticipates and answers many of
the questions of interfaith couples, potential Jews, and Jews
by birth.”
—Rabbi
Harold M. Schulweis
“What a welcome addition for those
who have a special reason for wanting to learn more about
Judaism and Jewish life! Olitzky has brought a wonderful
sensitivity as well as an openness and clarity to a complex
subject. Interfaith couples, as well as those who work with
them, will find this book quite helpful in navigating through
the rich traditions of Judaism.”
—Rabbi
Joy Levitt, associate executive
director, JCC in Manhattan; co-editor of A Night of Questions: A Passover Haggadah
“This is an important book for both
the non-Jewish and Jewish partner in a relationship. Rabbi
Olitzky anticipates the potential questions, concerns, and
challenges that an interfaith couple face and offers meaningful
answers and suggestions.”
—Rabbi Stacy Bergman, assistant
director of program, Union of Reform Judaism
“Rabbi Olitzky has given Christian
readers a sensitive and thought-provoking introduction to the
faith and practices of Judaism. His welcoming and supportive
explanations are an invitation to delve deeper into the
traditions which are often based on common understandings. His
sound learning combined with a personal narrative style makes
for compelling reading. It is a gift to all who care deeply
about religion and faith.”
—The Rt. Rev. Kirk Stevan Smith,
PhD, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona
