The Judaic Studies Shelf

So Compassionate it Hurts
Tzemah Yoreh
http://tzemahyoreh.com
Independently Published
9798836444075, $19.99, PB, 163pp

https://www.amazon.com/So-Compassionate-Hurts-Rabbi-Spectrum/dp/B0BLRCXJKX

Synopsis: Tzemah Yoreh, is a congregational rabbi who is also on the autism=
spectrum. How is that possible? How can he thrive in a profession that is = pastoral, that rewards extroversion, that seems mostly for those who intuit= ively grasp social dynamics?

For Rabbi Yoreh it is rare that he can understand the emotions and dynamics=
of even his closest family members, let alone a room full of people whom h=
e knows only peripherally. And yet he has thrived in his role as a rabbi.

Along with the deficits of being on the autism spectrum, there are precious=
gifts that being neuroatypical are bequeath to him. It took Rabbi Yoreh a = while to find them.

With the publication of "So Compassionate it Hurts: My Life as a Rabbi on t=
he Spectrum", Rabbi Yoreh share his personal journey of being a religious l= eader on the autism spectrum, how he has utilized his gifts to positively i= mpact his congregation (and, in turn, himself), and stories that will inspi=
re those with similar challenges to keep pushing and pursue their passions.

Critique: Motivationally inspiring, "So Compassionate It Hurts: My Life as =
a Rabbi on the Spectrum" is an inherently interesting memoir that will be o=
f special value to readers with an interest in the subject of dealing with = autism while creating a life or a career unexpected for anyone with their m= edical/psychological condition. Exceptionally well written, organized and p= resented, "So Compassionate It Hurts" is unreservedly recommended for perso= nal, professional, community, and academic library Judaic Studies and Conte= mporary Biography/Memoir collections. It should be noted that "So Compassio= nate It Hurts" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).

Editorial Note: Tzemah Yoreh (http://tzemahyoreh.com) is one of the intelle= ctual leaders of Jewish humanism and the head of the City Congregation in N=
ew York city. He attended the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he obta= ined his Ph.D. in biblical criticism in 2004. He earned a second Ph.D. in A= ncient Wisdom Literature from the University of Toronto for the joy of stud= ying ancient text. As a community leader on the spectrum, he is a passionat=
e advocate for the inclusion of the neuro-atypical in the Jewish community = and beyond.

State of Halakha: Israel's History in Jewish Law
Aviad Tabory
Maggid
c/o Toby Press
PO Box 8531, New Milford, CT 06776-8531
www.korenpub.com
9781592645534, $29.95, HC, 304pp

https://www.amazon.com/State-Halakha-Israels-History-Jewish/dp/1592645534

Synopsis: Halakha is the system of Jewish law is designed to guide Israelis=
and all members of the Jewish community in major and minor areas of their = lives. However, how is it to be applied in unprecedented situations?

"State of Halakha: Israel's History in Jewish Law" is fascinating new work = with which rabbi and educator Aviad Tabory goes through watershed events an=
d major issues in modern Israeli history, examining them through the lens o=
f halakha.

Examples include the 1961 capture of Adolph Eichmann and the obligation to = bring murderers to justice; the Eli Cohen affair in Syria and how far one m=
ay go to protect the State of Israel; the 2005 Disengagement from Gush Kati=
f and the issues surrounding the destructtion of synagogues; the religious = ramifications for Jerusalem the capital when the American Embassy moved to = Jerusalem.

"State of Halakha: Israel's History in Jewish Law" is a study of halakha wi= thin the context of the pertinent historical, political, cultural and socia=
l issues at each time.

Critique: As informed and informative as it is thoughtful and thought-provo= king, "State of Halakha: Israel's History in Jewish Law" is a seminal contr= ibution to our understanding of Jewish law and a welcome, unreservedly reco= mmended addition to personal, professional, community, and academic library=
Jewish Life & History Studies collections and supplemental curriculum stud= ies lists.

Editorial Note: Rabbi Aviad Tabory (https://torahinmotion.org/profile/rabbi= -aviad-tabory) currently teaches Gemara at Yeshivat Eretz Hatzvi in Jerusal= em. In the summer he serves as the Rosh Bet Midrash in Bnei Akiva Camp Ston=
e. He studied at the Hesder Yeshivot of Ohr Etzion and Har Etzion in and re= ceived Smicha from the Israeli Rabbinate. and a degree in Jewish education = from Herzog College. He hask also taught at Michlelet Orot, Midreshet Linde= nbaum, Midreshet HaRova, and took part in establishing a new Yeshiva High S= chool in Susiya. He has served as the Rav Shaliach of the Jewish Agency to = Bnei Akiva in the UK as well as the founding community Rabbi of Alei Etzion=
in Hendon, London.

Prophetic Voices: Renewing and Reimagining Haftarah
Rabbi Barbara Ab Symons, editor
Central Conference of American Rabbis
c/o CCAR Press
www.ccarpress.org
9780881233704, $24.95, HC, 562pp

https://www.amazon.com/Prophetic-Voices-Renewing-Reimagining-Haftarah/dp/08= 81233706

Synopsis: The traditional haftarah cycle, read on Shabbat and holidays duri=
ng the Torah service, contains a wealth of prophetic wisdom, yet today it i=
s too often forgotten or ignored.

With the publication of "Prophetic Voices: Renewing and Reimagining Haftara= h", compiled and edited by Rabbi Barbara Ab Symons, gives new life to these=
ancient texts. A diverse group of contributors the includes rabbis, cantor=
s, scholars, educators, activists, and poets, provide short commentaries on=
each haftarah, demonstrating their profound relevance to the present.

Additionally, "Prophetic Voices" boldly invites us to rethink the haftarah = canon. Going beyond the Prophets, it presents alternative readings from Jew= ish texts biblical to contemporary. New haftarot for each Shabbat and holid=
ay are included, plus haftarot for the Jewish American calendar, from Yom H= aShoah to Pride Month to Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The readings are enhanced by scholarly essays placing the Prophets in histo= rical context and examining the role of prophecy in Reform Judaism. Prophet=
ic Voices summons us to listen, study, think, and teach -- as well as to si= ng, pray, and march.

Critique: Of special interest, value and relevance for students of the Tora=
h and the Jewish Reform Movement, "Prophetic Voices: Renewing and Reimagini=
ng Haftarah" is an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to pers= onal, professional, synagogue, community, college, and university library J= udaic Studies collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.

Synopsis: Rabbi Barbara Ab Symons (https://www.ccarpress.org/content.asp?ti= d=3D596) graduated from the University of Michigan and was ordained by Hebr=
ew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 1994. Since 2006, she has = been serving Temple David in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, just outside of Pit= tsburgh. She is deeply involved in the interfaith community primarily throu=
gh her work with the Monroeville Interfaith Ministerium (of which she is pa=
st president) and through the Catholic Jewish Education Enrichment program.=
Engaged with the local community, Rabbi Symons has served as president of = the hospital's clergy board and rabbinic groups, and she is active with the=
town council, school board, and library.

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