Reading is Vital to My Conscientious Resilience!
Estimated reading time: 27 minutes, 30 seconds
Nonfiction
Before 2019, my bookshelf was a carefully curated anthology, primarily showcasing the illuminating realms of nonfiction; having dreamed of becoming a history teacher, where I found comfort in the captivating stories of the past, immersing myself in detailed narratives that vividly brought history to life. Yet, as my reading journey evolved, it became a vibrant tapestry that beautifully blended fiction and nonfiction. While I still revel in the gripping realities of true stories, I now crave narratives that ignite my imagination, weaving creativity and depth into each page. These layered tales invite me to delve deeper, prompting a quest for more profound truths that resonate long after the last page.
Judaism is About Love
“Judaism Is About Love,” by Rabbi Shai Held, is a remarkable work that offers a profound and innovative perspective on Jewish life. It challenges a long-standing misconception that has shaped the Western narrative: that Christianity is the religion of love while Judaism is solely about law. Rabbi Shai Held, a prominent Jewish thinker in America, passionately argues against this misconception, asserting that love is not just an aspect of Judaism but a fundamental cornerstone of the faith. He seeks to reclaim the heart of the Jewish tradition.
Rabbi Held aims to present Judaism authentically by combining a unique blend of intellectual rigor, respect for tradition, and a vibrant expression of Judaism. He illustrates that love underpins true Jewish beliefs and influences our views on injustice, protest, grace, family life, responsibilities toward neighbors and enemies, and the concept of chosenness.
During this year’s Yom Kippur service at Temple Sha’arey Shalom, Rav Uri’s mention of this book sparked a profound connection to the Divine, which resonated deeply with themes echoed in my writings, “Love Can Conquer Even Death” and “High Holiday Meditation Cleanses My Soul.” Rabbi Held’s focus on love, meaning, purpose, and faith has guided me in my quest to become the best version of myself.
“Judaism Is About Love” is a work of ambition and revelation. It serves as a guiding light, illuminating the true Essence of Judaism. More than just a book, it is an act of restoration from within, reclaiming the authentic expression of the Jewish faith.
Rabbi Held reminds us, in a quote I used in my acceptance speech for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Distinguished Service Award, “Having endured an assault on justice, we reaffirm that a commitment to justice is possible and urgently necessary. And having been violated by hate, we insist that love is still possible.”
Never Forget Our People Were Always Free
“Never Forget Our People Were Always Free: A Parable of American Healing,” written by Ben Jealous, the Executive Director of the Sierra Club, emphasizes that healing America’s fractured spirit begins with each of us finding the courage to heal ourselves. Jealous highlights the importance of viewing one another as family, suggesting that we consider each other as cousins. This perspective is essential in our efforts to prevent and end homelessness, as those experiencing homelessness are, in fact, our cousins. We should not treat our loved ones in this manner.
Through his lively, courageous, and empathetic storytelling, Jealous urges every American to look beyond deep divisions and recognize that we are all in the same situation. Throughout the book, he explores several profound questions, including:
- Why do white men die from suicide more often than black men die from murder?
- How did racial profiling contribute to the death of an American president?
- What occurs when a Ku Klux Klan member contemplates the teachings of Jesus?
- How did Dave Chappelle know that the DC Snipers were Black?
- Why shouldn’t the civil rights movement stop working with white communities?
- When is what we have collectively forgotten about race more significant than what we know?
- What insights can we gain from our elders’ most indecipherable thoughts about ourselves?
“Never Forget Our People Were Always Free” is told through parables and offers intimate glimpses of political and faith leaders such as Jack Kemp, Stacey Abrams, and the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The book also highlights unexpected heroes, including a retired constable, a female pirate from Madagascar, a long-lost Irishman, a death row inmate, and a man with a Confederate flag tattooed over his heart.
After almost 48 years, I recently lost my wife, Jan Lilien. Like The Little Prince, Jan and I believed that “The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched, they are felt with the heart.” This blog is a collection of my random thoughts on love, grief, life, and all things considered.
