How did you come to write this book?

When I was in my 30s, I realized that I had forgotten much of what I learned about Judaism as a child, and that there was much more I had never been taught. So I began learning with an Orthodox rabbi and spending Shabbat and holidays with observant families. But invariably, no matter how much I prepared or experienced, once a holiday was over, I discovered some new piece of information that would have made my celebration much more meaningful. I thought there must be some resource where all the necessary information was compiled. But it turned out there wasn't.

So this was like your personal Jewish holiday instruction manual.

In a way, yes. But I was also aware of what was going on in the American Jewish community: inaedquate Jewish education, prevalent assimilation, high rates of intermarriage. For many, like me, Jewish education essentially ended in childhood--before it got really interesting! Many had even less Jewish education and now, at a time in history marked by a search for meaning and spirituality that crosses religious lines, they too are searching, or realize they want their children to have a better spiritual grounding than they received. And there are others who grew up suffused with Judaism, but didn't get the "whys" along with the "hows."

Why concentrate on the holidays, rather than on creating a Jewish home in general?

Because there really is no better way to create strong Jewish identity, and thereby Jewish life, than through the Jewish holiday cycle. Together, the holidays cover virtually all of Jewish history, the Jewish value system, our moral-spiritual framework, our religious principles, Jewish law, customs. . .it's all embodied in the holidays. In the introductory section of the book, I say that if you observe a year of Jewish holidays, you will know what it means and how to be Jewish. That's absolutely true.

And for many people, the memory of a holiday observance from childhood--watching Elijah's cup on the Passover seder table to see if any wine disappeared from it, enjoying pound cake and grape juice in a synagogue sukkah or being dazzled by the glow of all the candles burning on the last night of Khanukah--is what inspires them to renew the connection to their heritage. They want to give their children the warmth and fulfillment of the feeling they experienced.

You must have done a lot of research to make this book so comprehensive. What was the most significant thing you discovered?

The sheer joy and depth of Judaism. If you learn about the religion only as a child, you get the child's superficial version of history and reason. But Judaism is so layered, so rich. It really is a brilliant system teaching us how to get the most out of life and that, despite its complexity, is accessible to everyone, on his or her own level. And while it deals with serious subjects, it not only allows for but encourages full experience and expression of joy, throughout our endeavors. Just read about the antics of our great sages during Sukkot, as one example.

While you cover all denominations, you write quite assuredly about classic Jewish outlook and observances. Were you yourself raised in an Orthodox home?

No. Our home was Conservative--in some ways very Jewishly identified, but overall typically assimilated. We did holiday observances, some synagogue attendance, Jewish youth groups, my parents were active in the synagogue and Jewish communal organizations--but we attended public school and Hebrew school of the boring afternoon variety. Going with friends to high school basketball or football games followed our family Shabbat dinners.

Who would be interested in this book?

Anyone who wants to enhance their participation in Jewish home life, to know more about Jewish values and practice, to ensure a Jewish connection for family members, friends or students. It is for parents, grandparents, teachers, school administrators and librarians, Jews who want to celebrate Jewish tradition and non-Jews who want to know more about it. It's a book to buy for yourself or to give someone else as a gift.

What do you hope people get from this book?

What they need to appreciate and feel comfortable with and enthusiastic about holiday observance. I would like readers to recognize what holiday observance adds to the life of an individual and family. I hope people who already observe holidays will gain deeper understanding and new insights. I hope people who are new to holiday observance will become excited about introducing it in their homes. And overall, I hope readers--Jewish and non-Jewish--gain a better understanding and appreciation of Judaism, all it means and why it matters.

Back to top