What I Wish My Christian Friends Knew about Judaism

I've been sampling this book since I got it back around Christmas (2010). An instructional book about Judaism at Christmas? Okay, perhaps a touch of irony there. But I found the book easy to read with a very handy glossary at the end. Dr. Schoen's writing style is very easy and conversational. And it doesn't have to be read sequentially. You can actually open it anywhere and dip into its easily understood explanations of various Jewish religious ceremonies, holy days and customs.I have long known that various religions and churches hold much in common, and what Schoen has to say about Judaism only reinforced this. After all, Jesus was a Jew and brought along myriad Jewish customs when he began the Christianity, which has since splintered into so many groups and churches. One exception to this was when Schoen commented that "Synagogues are democratic organizations." I was reminded of a family story my parents told of when my dad was tasked by our parish priest with visiting homes of parishioners to take pledges for a diocesan financial drive. Dad knew many of these families were too poor to pledge anything and complained of this inequity. Our priest's reply to this was, "No one ever said the Church was a democracy."But similarities do abound. The bar/bat mitzvah coming-of-age ceremony corresponds in many ways to the Christian sacrament of Confirmation. The Catholic Mass has always involved serial standing, sitting, and kneeling. Likewise Schoen comments that "This up-and-down, sitting and standing business is common to all Jewish religious services." Similarly, I learned that "If a divorced Jew wishes to remarry within the Jewish religion and wants to follow the letter of the Jewish law, then he or she must obtain a 'get' [which is]... a bill of Jewish divorce." In the Catholic Church, an 'annulment' is required. There are also sections on intermarriage and conversion, kosher food and rituals, circumcisions and adoptions, weddings and funerals, as well as commentary on anti-semitism, the Holocaust and the changing role of women in Jewish life and religious practices.In short, this is a good book for anyone who might be interested in knowing more about Jewish life. It would probably serve well as a 'textbook' for informal study groups, or as supplementary reading in a comparative religion class. It's not the kind of book I would normally read, but I'm glad I did. I guess I'm only giving it three stars because I was a bit frustrated that there was so little about the author himself, because there were tantalizing bits and pieces here and there about his youth and his time in a rock band and later as an adult musician. I wish he'd opened up and provided a bit more; it would have made the book more personal and, for me, more interesting. Nevertheless, WIWMCFKAJ makes an adequate primer for the moderately inquisitive reader. For that, a tip of my hat and a 'danke Schoen' to the author. - Tim Bazzett, author of the memoir BOOKLOVER

I originally bought this book for me. I had just converted to Judaism and it helped me a lot to see that someone else was having to answer the same questions I was from my Christian friends. After reading this book, I bought another for my mom, who has always been understanding of my choices and is curious about the religion herself. She couldn't put it down when I gave it to her and I think read the whole thing in 2 days. I also have 2 more books on the way to give to my two best friends, who are devout Christians and have been struggling with my life choices.There are a lot of people complaining that this book is too basic, but I honestly think it covers just enough detail to keep your interest without bogging you down with the nitty gritty details. If you want to know more about a subject, at least now you get the gist of it and can google or find other books. But I want my friends to read this, not be bored by long chapters going into the intricate details of every single aspect of the Tanakh and Talmud. And maybe it's not right for everyone, but for me I think this book is going to be the key to get my friends to stop insisting that "everyone believes in Jesus." or asking if Hanukkah is in the Old Testament or the New Testament, or asking "is this a Jewish thing?" to every new food or item they encounter at my apartment. If you have friends like that, then this book is definitely for you. (Also the title is way nicer than giving your friend a "For Dummies" book).I have now bought 5 copies of this book and I couldn't be happier with them.

So interesting and easy to read, I could not put it down. Because of Mr. Schoen's clarity, I believe I now have an appreciation for a Jewish Wedding and a Bat / Bar Mitzvah. I have experienced a Hasidic Service, being invited by a Jewish enthusiast whom I met in a Bookstore. It was like stepping into history and I was in very unfamiliar territory. After service I was being introduced to everyone (25 people) and I kept making the mistake of stretching out my hand to greet them. Being a woman, my hand was rejected. I was very welcomed and I was so pleased to meet be in the presence of such wonderful, charming, and gentle people.I've had such a thirst for learning more about the basis of my Judaeo-Christian Faith in the past year. Mr. Schoen's perspective has now given me courage to learn more about the Celebrations of the Feasts. The Glossary of how to pronounce Hebrew words is a God send!I am very grateful to Mr. Schoen for sharing his Jewish experience and highly recommend it for a better understanding God's People and Culture. Shalom, Mr. Schoen.

This is a fantastic book for people of all denominations who are interested in the basic tenets of Judaism. The book is well organized and written in an easily accessible manner. The tone of the author is down to earth without sounding folksy. I most like the author's approach of integrating Jewish practice into a cycle of daily and yearly rituals that will make sense to pretty much anyone; placing an unfamiliar religion in an easily understood context.Quite frankly, I believe that this book is appropriate for Jewish people most of all. A review of our religion that encompasses Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox practices in an even handed manner, including traditional aspects as well as modern approaches, is a rare find and a refreshing one.A great book and a heartfelt commendation to the author.

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