The Jewish Holidays: A Guide and Commentary by Michael Strassfeld. This wonderful book is organized by the yearly holiday cycle. There are insightful--and even inspiring chapters--which can be read over the year for each festival day. Rituals are explained along with their meaning.

Nine Questions People Ask about Judaism by Dennis Prager and Joseph Telushkin. Prager asks and answers the most difficult and basic questions. Although written from the perspective of the Conservative/Orthodox movements, the answers are always logical and compelling. Topics include: Can one doubt God's existence and still be a good Jew? [YES!] Why do we need organized religion? How do I start practicing Judaism?

The Sabbath by Abraham Joshua Heschel. This 80 page book will change your shabbat experience. Heschel was one of the greatest modern Jewish thinkers. Reading this book doesn't just tell you ABOUT Jewish spirituality; the act of reading it IS a Jewish spiritual experience. It is one of the most accessible pieces of original, profound Jewish thinking.

Finding God: Selected Responses by Rifat Sonsino and Daniel Syme. Do you have trouble believing in the biblical concept of God as a Divine Accountant sitting on a throne? Does trouble believing in that kind of deity make you feel less "authentic" as a Jew? Well, the biblical concept has been hard to accept for thousands of years. This book summarizes ten important Jewish leaders' concepts of God that are still "fully Jewish" and much easier for us to accept.

Basic Judaism by Milton Steinberg. A brief introduction to basic Jewish concepts and values.

GOD was in this PLACE & I, i did not know: Finding Self, Spirituality and Ultimate Meaning. By Lawrence Kushner. The title is not humble but it's accurate! Reading this book is hard, fun, and a spiritual Jewish experience.

Early Childhood Center Recommendations: For Parents

The Blessing of a Skinned Knee by Wendy Mogel
Yiddish Wisdom for Parents by Kristina Swarner
The Trouble with Perfect by Elizabeth Guthrie
Loving Each One Best by Nancy Samalin
Loving Your Child in not Enough: Positive Discipline That Works by Nancy Samalin
Siblings without Rivalry by Adele Faber
The Out of Synch Child: Recognizing Sensory Integration Dysfunction by Carol Kranowitz

Early Childhood Center Recommendations: For Children

Jewish Holidays all year Round by Ilene Cooper
The Matzah Man by Naomi Howland
Hanna's Sabbath Dress by Itzhak Schweiger-Dmi’El
Chicken soup by Heart by Esther Hershenhorn
Its Challah Time! By Latifa Kropf
Eight Days of Hanukkah by Ziefert and Levine
Hooray for Hanukkah! by Fran Manushkin
The Runaway Latkes by Leslie Kimmelman
Because Nothing Looks Like God by Kushner
Joseph had a little Overcoat by Simms Taback

Cookbook Recommendations from Ellen Elias:

Fast & Festive Meals for the Jewish Holidays (this is my personal favorite) - by Marlene Sorosky
Jewish Holiday Treats - Recipes and Crafts for the Whole Family - by Joan Zoloth
New York Times Passover Cookbook - Edited by Linda Amster
Adventures in Jewish Cooking (this is the companion book to the wonderful PBS series "New Jewish Cuisine") - Author Jeffrey Nathan
Empire Kosher Chicken Cookbook -Katja Goldman and Arthur Boehm

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The Rabbi's Reading List:

The Middle East

Jewish History

Bible

Bible Interpretation

Fiction

Other Suggestions:

Early Childhood Center Recommendations: For Parents

Early Childhood Center Recommendations: For Children

Cookbook Recommendations from Ellen Elias:

Click here to order anything from Amazon.com

JFC makes a 7.5% commission when you click directly on the titles to buy.

Click here to order anything else from Amazon.com