Jewish Renewal: A Journey: The Movement’s History, Ideology, and Future

Rabbi Sholom Groesberg
iUniverse (2008)
ISBN 9780595411818
Reviewed by Carol Hoyer for Reader Views (10/08)


Rabbi Groesberg has written a very informative and uplifting book on the Jewish religion. From the perspective of one who doesn’t really know much about the Jewish religion, the reviewer feels she now has a better understanding.

In Chapter 1 Rabbi Groesberg discusses how the Jewish Renewal movement came about in the 1960s. One of the reasons stated was dissatisfaction with the religious community in not providing for the needs of its youth. The second concern was the lack of understanding and social injustices done to the Jewish community. Part of the last issue (and I’m sure there are more) is that people felt the power of the country was self-serving and greedy, and did not address the needs of all the people.

As with many individuals, when they are frustrated with the government and spiritual needs, they begin to rebel.  Examples of the outcome were the hippie movement and the New Left movements. The thought was if they did the opposite of what was “the norm” maybe someone would listen to them and make changes. The goal was to increase positive elements in the community.

Chapter 2 discusses individuals who were influential in the Jewish movement. Rabbi Groesberg wrote, “All were European Jews, who were victimized by the Holocaust.” These individuals combined their love for their religion and community and made an impressionable impact.

The remainder of the book addresses: Judaism Code of Law; Re-Invigorating the Worship Service; and Promoting Social Responsibility. This is something that all individuals want, to follow guidelines that are beneficial to all, having their spiritual needs met and making each individual responsible for setting good examples and helping others. Readers should know that there is more important information in the remainder of the book; the reviewer only addressed a few.

Not only did Rabbi Groesberg provide historical data of the Jewish Renewal, he provides readers with informative information about the Jewish community that should dispel myths about this religion.  I recommend “Jewish Renewal: A Journey: The Movement’s History, Ideology, and Future.”

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