Book recommendations about Reform Judaism

October 25, 2011 3:53 PM

Interested in learning about Reform Judaism. Book recommendations?

I am in a newly committed relationship with a wonderful man. He has mentioned that his Judaism is very important to him and that he is of the Reform Judaism persuasion. He has said for him it is less about the religion itself and more about its traditions and positive life lessons/values. I am interested in learning more about Reform Judaism and would like book recommendations that can introduce me to the basics.

I come from a pretty secular background, both within my family and socially. My only experience is having attended a handful of Passover seders. I'm not looking to convert, and I know I can just ask him about his experiences, but I'd like to learn a little bit about the background, beliefs, holidays, traditions, and other practices to satisfy my curiosity and have a framework for future conversations with him.

Book recommendations please. Websites can only hold my attention for so long :)

Thanks for your help!

posted by greta simone to religion & philosophy (5 answers total)

The Union for Reform Judaism has some book lists on their website--Here is a list of recommended fiction/nonfiction books that URJ considers significant, and here is a list of books they think synagogues should have in their libraries. There's different categories (ie, history, observance, etc) depending on what you want to know about.
posted by leesh at 4:02 PM on October 25, 2011

I'd recommend Living Judaism: The Complete Guide to Jewish Belief, Tradition, and Practice by Rabbi Wayne Dosick.
posted by apartment dweller at 4:22 PM on October 25, 2011

Anita Diamant has a book for anything you'd want to know.
posted by Ruki at 6:50 PM on October 25, 2011

Letty Cottin Pogrebin's Deborah, Golda and Me.
posted by brujita at 7:54 PM on October 25, 2011

I am not being a smartass: for the flip side of Reform, once you get the basics and want to learn more, see Martin Buber's Moses. Buber was a thinker beloved by almost all of the Jewish movements, particularly the Reform, and this is a wild non-traditionalist but textually informed look at the most traditional of figures.

On the more how-to end, there's Come, Let Us Welcome Shabbat, which is the Reform rabbinical organization's guide to how to do Friday night.
posted by skbw at 9:21 PM on October 25, 2011