A Jewish Guide to Being a Son, a Partner in Marriage, a Father and a Community Leader
Rabbi Joseph B. Meszler
What is Jewish men’s
spirituality?
In today’s world, is it necessary?
A provocative look at how a new generation
of Jewish men can grow spiritually, and in doing so, strengthen
the intangible bonds of family, love, duty, and truth which
ultimately lead to God. It unearths the male stereotypes that
exist in Judaism and color our expectations for what it means
to be a Jewish man in today’s world. It examines Jewish
sources that reveal the traditional life cycle of a
man—from son to partner in marriage to father—and
in doing so uncovers the ideals that define being a Jewish man.
It also views Jewish men within the context of a sacred
community and what that means for the sacred obligations of
manhood.
“An insightful contemporary
explication that speaks to the modern man.”
—Rabbi
Charles Simon, executive director,
Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs
“Combining biblical tales, Talmudic
precepts, Jungian observations, cogent references from
contemporary writers, and his own personal stories and
reflections … it succeeds in fashioning a very
accessible, and very valuable, guide for Jewish men grappling
with key relationships in their life’s
journey.”
—Doug
Barden, executive director, Men of
Reform Judaism
“Opens up an important conversation
on gender issues that both men and women need to
address.”
—Rabbi
Elyse Goldstein, rabbinic director,
Kolel: Adult Center for Liberal Jewish Learning; editor, New Jewish Feminism: Probing the Past, Forging
the Future
“Warm and accessible … invites
self-reflection, and maps a contemporary Jewish path for the
journey from boy to man to mensch.”
—Rabbi
David A. Teutsch, author, Spiritual Community: The Power to Restore Hope,
Commitment and Joy
“A thoughtful, engaging reflection
on a central question of our time: what does it mean to be a
mature, responsible Jewish man in the contemporary world?
Provides helpful answers without being overly prescriptive.
Like having a helpful friend in your corner.”
—Sam
Osherson, PhD, psychologist;
author, Finding our Fathers
“Beautifully written … a
wonderful combination of scholarship and personal insight that
will surely help draw Jewish men back to the center of Jewish
life and striving.”
—Rabbi
Jeffrey K. Salkin, author, Searching for My Brothers: Jewish Men in a
Gentile World; editor, A Dream of Zion: American Jews Reflect on Why
Israel Matters to Them
