Category Archives: Judaica
“Harvard Square: A Novel” by Andre Acimen— Love, Friendship, and Becoming American
Acimen, Andre. “Harvard Square: A Novel”, W.W. Norton & Company, 2013. Love, Friendship, and Becoming American Amos Lassen “Harvard Square” is the story of a young man and his personal growth during his graduate studies at Harvard in the 1970s. We do not know his name but I got the impression that it is Acimen …
“The Last Trial” by Shalom Spiegel— The Binding of Isaac
Spiegel, Shalom. “The Last Trial” (Jewish Lights Classic Reprint), LongHill Partners, Inc., 2000. The Binding of Isaac Amos Lassen God’s command to Abraham to sacrifice his son is one of the most intriguing events in the Hebrew bible (Genesis XXII) and it seems to me that we have tried to understand this for as long …
“A Short Jew in the Body of a Tall W.A.S.P.: (A Gay Melodrama in Thirteen Acts)”— Glitter and Be Gay
Okun, Mark and Hilary Bower. “A Short Jew in the Body of a Tall W.A.S.P.: (A Gay Melodrama in Thirteen Acts)”, Dog Ear Publishing, 2013. Glitter and Be Gay Amos Lassen Mark Okun tells us in the summary section of his book, “A Short Jew in the Body of a Tall W.A.S.P.” that it is …
“Love Song for Montana Greene” by J.G. Rothberg— Murder and Mysticism
Rothberg, J.G. “Love Song for Montana Greene” CreateSpace, 2013. Murder and Mysticism Amos Lassen A hunt for mythical artifacts ensues after a midnight murder in the Prague cemetery and as it continues, some very serious international dealings come to light. Professor Alfred Augsburg was the murder victim and he was responsible for the development of …
“The Liars’ Gospel: A Novel” by Naomi Alderman— Jesus from the Jews Who Knew Him Best
Alderman, Naomi. “The Liars’ Gospel: A Novel”, Little, Brown and Company; Reprint edition, 2013. Jesus from the Jews Who Knew Him Best Amos Lassen Yehoshuah walked around Judea when the Roman’s occupied it and he orated, gave sermons and healed the sick. Naomi Alderman moves a year ahead and Yehoshuah is out and gives us …
“EVERLASTING JOY (THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF BARUCH SPINOZA AS REPORTED BY HIS VIGILANT NEIGHBORS)”— A Comic Fantasy
“Everlasting Joy (The Life and Adventures of Baruch Spinoza as Reported by his Vigilant Neighbors)” A Comic Fantasy Amos Lassen Bernard (Baruch) Spinoza gained fame when he was excommunicated from his Dutch Jewish community because he had a different view of God than the traditional one (although I am not quite sure what that means). …
“PHILIP ROTH UNMASKED”— An American Master
“Philip Roth Unmasked” An American Master Amos Lassen Philip Roth is now 80 years old, has published thirty-one and he says he has retired from writing. Many are hoping that he will win the Nobel Prize for literature but that is for the judges to decide. This new movie takes us into the life of …
“Abraham on Trial: The Social Legacy of Biblical Myth” by Carol Delaney— A Feminist Look at Abraham
Delaney, Carol. “Abraham on Trial: The Social Legacy of Biblical Myth”, Princeton University Press, 2000. A Feminist Look at Abraham Amos Lassen Carol Delaney explores the foundations of faith as they have made Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son a virtuous deed. Because Abraham was willing to obey God regardless of all costs, sacrificing Isaac, …
“On Sacrifice” by Moshe Halbertal— The Meanings and Implications of Sacrifice
Halbertal, Moshe. “On Sacrifice”, Princeton University Press, 2012. The Meanings and Implications of Sacrifice Amos Lassen Sacrifice in both practice and idea is an important part of religion, politics and ethics and because we are not really sure what it means, it is somewhat problematic. Moshe Halbertal looks at the meaning and implications of sacrifice …
Gay Synagogues’ Uncertain Future
Gay Synagogues’ Uncertain Future As mainstream acceptance grows—along with membership—gay congregations face unexpected questions By Michal Lemberger|March 11, 2013 12:00 AM| Beth Chayim Chadashim’s new green building New York’s Congregation Beit Simchat Torah made news recently when it announced the purchase of a three-level space in a landmark tower on the west side of Manhattan. …
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