True Confessions of a Rabbi at the End of June

Keeping Connected   July 2024

Dear Friend,

When I was a rabbi at Temple Isaiah in Lexington, my position required me to have titles for all sermons and newsletter articles. After doing that for four years, I can honestly say I was ready to leave that job responsibility behind. I am simply not good at coming up with titles. That is why I find it so ironic that I immediately thought of a title for my newsletter article this month: “True Confessions of a Rabbi at the End of June”!

Number 1: After a long year, it always feels difficult to decide what to write about for my July newsletter. Honestly, just as kids get “summeritis”, so do rabbis.

Number 2: Although I am already thinking about the High Holidays and planning for the new year, I am also thinking about the list of guilt-free “summer beach reads” that I have been anticipating with excitement for months.

Number 3: I suspect that most members of the community have similar feelings to #1 and #2.

In light of my confession, I decided to do something silly and Google the purpose of summer beach reading. I found this written at the CNN website: “In other words, a beach read doesn’t ask the reader to ponder the grim realities of the modern world or plunge into the depths of the human experience. Rather, it offers a break from the slog of daily life and the constant drumbeat of depressing news stories.” Hmmmm, this actually resonated for me and I wonder if others are feeling the same way. Right now, with the war in Israel, Gaza and perhaps Lebanon, the rising concern regarding anti-Semitism, the challenging political environment in the United States, the emerging threat of right-wing governments in Europe and more, most of us are feeling a sense of uncertainty and at times overwhelmed. Summer, like Shabbat, is a built-in opportunity to find renewal and healing and most of us feel drawn to the break like a moth to a flame!

But what exactly is a beach read? Amanda Bergeron, who selects fiction for Penguin Random House’s “beach read” list writes, “When looking for the next big summer read….she’s drawn to fast-paced stories with compelling characters. If it transports the reader to another location, all the better. Readers want to be transported. When you think of an) escape often you think light, but I think it’s the ability to inhabit another world or another set of shoes and just spend time in those pages.”

This all got me thinking about the theme of Jewish summer experiences and Jewish summer reads. Are there things we can do to feel transported to another time and place, things we can do to feel renewed and alive, things we can do to nurture our sense of hope and possibility? I would say there are and in times that feel so difficult, it is okay to not “escape” from the realities we face, but to create little islands of uplift and a spiritual and emotional vacation. In this regard, I decided to share with you some ideas to take into the summer. I hope you choose at least one thing to do or read from the lists below and hopefully more.

Happy Summer,

Rabbi Shoshana Perry

PS – Confession number 4 – I used Chat GPT to come up with the lists below!

Activities that will blend summer fun and weather with Jewish culture, prayer and traditions.

  • Outdoor Shabbat Dinners: Host or attend Shabbat dinners in a park, on the beach, or in your backyard. Enjoying Shabbat meals outdoors can be a refreshing change.
  • Jewish Summer Camps: Enroll kids in Jewish summer camps, which offer a mix of fun activities and Jewish learning in a beautiful outdoor setting.
  • Festivals and Cultural Events: Look for Jewish festivals, fairs, and cultural events happening in your area. These can include music, food, crafts, and performances.
  • Community Service: Participate in Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) projects, such as community clean-ups, volunteering at shelters, or organizing charity drives.
  • Nature Walks and Hikes: Organize or join hikes and nature walks that incorporate Jewish teachings about nature and the environment. Consider doing a study session or meditation in a natural setting.
  • Cooking and Picnicking: Prepare traditional Jewish foods and have picnics with family and friends. Try out summer-friendly Jewish recipes like cold soups, salads, and grilled dishes.
  • Outdoor Havdalah: Celebrate Havdalah outdoors with a bonfire, singing, and storytelling. It’s a wonderful way to mark the end of Shabbat under the stars.
  • Learning and Reading: Use the longer days to catch up on Jewish reading, whether it’s fiction, non-fiction, or studying Jewish texts. Join or start a summer reading group or book club.
  • Music and Arts: Attend concerts, theater performances, or art exhibitions that feature Jewish artists or themes. Explore Jewish music and dance.

Three Different Book Lists:

For light, enjoyable Jewish reads that are perfect for summer, here are ten recommendations:

  1. “The Ladies Auxiliary” by Tova Mirvis: A charming novel about a group of women in a tight-knit Orthodox Jewish community in Memphis, Tennessee.
  2. “The Unorthodox Match” by Naomi Ragen: A heartwarming story about a modern woman returning to her Orthodox Jewish roots in search of love and belonging.
  3. “The Saturday Wife” by Naomi Ragen: A humorous and satirical novel about the life of a rabbi’s wife struggling with her role and identity.
  4. “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay” by Michael Chabon: An engaging and adventurous story of two Jewish cousins in the comic book industry during the 1930s and 1940s.
  5. “The Family Man” by Elinor Lipman: A witty and light-hearted novel about a middle-aged man who reconnects with his long-lost daughter and finds new purpose in life.
  6. “Goodbye, Columbus” by Philip Roth: A collection of short stories that offer humorous and poignant insights into the lives of Jewish Americans.
  7. “The Matzah Ball” by Jean Meltzer: A delightful rom-com about a Jewish woman who secretly loves Christmas but ends up organizing a major Hanukkah event.
  8. “Modern Girls” by Jennifer S. Brown: A historical novel set in 1935 New York City, following the lives of a Jewish mother and daughter navigating unexpected challenges.
  9. “The Frozen Rabbi” by Steve Stern: A whimsical tale about a rabbi who has been frozen in ice for a century and is discovered by a modern-day teenager.
  10. “The Last Watchman of Old Cairo” by Michael David Lukas: A captivating novel that weaves together stories of different generations connected by a famous Cairo synagogue.

These books offer a mix of humor, romance, and light-hearted storytelling, perfect for a relaxing summer read.

Here are ten great books to read over the summer that reflect various aspects of Jewish life, history, and spirituality:

  1. “As a Driven Leaf” by Milton Steinberg: A historical novel about Elisha ben Abuyah, a rabbi who struggles with faith and doubt in ancient times.
  2. “My Name Is Asher Lev” by Chaim Potok: The story of a young Hasidic artist torn between his religious upbringing and his artistic passion.
  3. “The Sabbath” by Abraham Joshua Heschel: A profound exploration of the meaning and significance of the Sabbath in Jewish life.
  4. “Night” by Elie Wiesel: A powerful memoir of Wiesel’s experiences during the Holocaust.
  5. “The Chosen” by Chaim Potok: A compelling narrative about two boys from different Jewish backgrounds growing up in Brooklyn during the 1940s.
  6. “Here All Along: Finding Meaning, Spirituality, and a Deeper Connection to Life—in Judaism (After Finally Choosing to Look There)” by Sarah Hurwitz: An accessible and engaging exploration of Jewish spirituality and tradition.
  7. “Jewish Literacy” by Joseph Telushkin: An essential guide to Jewish history, culture, and religious practice.
  8. “People Love Dead Jews: Reports from a Haunted Present” by Dara Horn: A thought-provoking collection of essays on how the world views Jewish history and identity.
  9. “Maus” by Art Spiegelman: A Pulitzer Prize-winning graphic novel depicting the Holocaust through the author’s father’s experiences.
  10. “Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor” by Yossi Klein Halevi: A heartfelt attempt to bridge understanding between Jews and Palestinians, offering a personal and historical perspective.

Here are ten good Jewish summer reads that offer a mix of fiction, memoirs, and thought-provoking non-fiction:

  1. “The World That We Knew” by Alice Hoffman: A mystical tale set during World War II, combining historical fiction with elements of Jewish folklore.
  2. “Inheritance: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity, and Love” by Dani Shapiro: A memoir exploring identity and family secrets through the lens of Jewish heritage.
  3. “Kaddish.com” by Nathan Englander: A darkly humorous novel about a secular Jew navigating the complexities of modern religious obligations.
  4. “The Weight of Ink” by Rachel Kadish: A historical novel that spans centuries, focusing on two women—a 17th-century scribe and a modern-day historian—connected by a series of mysterious documents.
  5. “Here I Am” by Jonathan Safran Foer: A novel that delves into Jewish identity, family dynamics, and the complexities of modern life.
  6. “Jewish Noir” edited by Kenneth Wishnia: A collection of dark, gritty short stories by contemporary Jewish authors, exploring themes of crime, guilt, and justice.
  7. “The Golem and the Jinni” by Helene Wecker: A captivating blend of historical fiction and fantasy, featuring Jewish and Middle Eastern folklore.
  8. “The Aleppo Codex: A True Story of Obsession, Faith, and the Pursuit of an Ancient Bible” by Matti Friedman: A gripping non-fiction account of the journey of an ancient Hebrew manuscript.
  9. “Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots” by Deborah Feldman: A memoir about leaving the Hasidic community and forging a new identity.
  10. “The Lost Shtetl” by Max Gross: A novel imagining a small Jewish village in Poland that has remained untouched by the modern world and its sudden encounter with contemporary society.