Three Reviews Coming in the August 14 Issue of Publishers Weekly

-- Publishers Weekly, 8/2/2006

Christians and Jews in Dialogue: Learning in the Presence of the Other
Mary C. Boys and Sara S. Lee. Jewish Lights, $21.99 (240p) ISBN 1-59473-144-6

No one could find fault with the subject of this book, a story of two educators—a Catholic nun and a Jew—who have spent the past 20 years creating and leading projects in “interreligious learning” as a means of reconciling their traditions. Backed by their conviction that “religion must become a catalyst in reducing the world’s conflicts,” Boys and Lee tell their personal stories, detail projects that stress study and dialogue “in the presence of the other,” and describe trips they took together to Auschwitz and Israel. As they confront issues like history and theology, their underlying concept of “textured particularism” denotes “a keen sense of the beliefs and practices of one’s own religious tradition,” but one that also makes space for other traditions. As inspiring as their journey is, however, their retelling of it reads more like a paper delivered at an academic conference than an engaging give-and-take. Those interested in learning about other traditions will find hope in Lee’s words: that dialogue has served as a mirror through which she sees herself in a new light, a perspective that would be inaccessible without the “reflection in the image and faith of the other.” (Oct.)

Illuminations: Expressions of the Personal Spiritual Experience
Edited by Mark L. Tompkins and Jennifer McMahon. Celestial Arts, $18.95 (144p) ISBN 1-58761-277-1

“Try to love the questions themselves,” wrote Rainer Maria Rilke in his oft-quoted Letters to a Young Poet. That’s what writer and photographer Tompkins and editor and creative designer McMahon have done in this collection of prose, poems, interviews and artwork from 180 contributors in 42 countries that explores questions that launch and keep people on the spiritual journey. Each piece is prefaced with a description of the spiritual “influences” felt by the author or artist, highlighting the concept that despite differences in particular faith perspectives, the questions we all ask are much the same. Chapters address the need to ask questions, following a particular spiritual path, coping with dark times, the roles of beauty, nature, rites, doctrine, practices and creativity in spiritual quests. The full color pages and the layout and design are inviting, and signal that the book is to dip into rather than read straight through. As with any anthology, the quality of the pieces is uneven, but overall this celebration of curiosity and questioning will appeal to those who are on a spiritual journey and find individual exploration to be more fulfilling than institutional religious experience. (Oct.)

The Jewish Book of Days: A Companion for All Seasons
Jill Hammer. Jewish Publication Society, $30 (400p) ISBN 0-8276-0831-4

Every page reveals something new and fascinating in this innovative Jewish calendar that utilizes nature and the universe to mark each day by the holiday, person, characteristic or occurrence that best defines it. Instead of dividing the calendar by months, Hammer guides us through each of eight segments by focusing on seasonal developments and their correlation to the human spirit and experience, interweaving the values of Judaism with the importance of remaining faithful to the natural world. Each day’s entry includes a biblical quote, a midrash and an observation highlighting the connection between the text and the months, seasons and cycles of the year. Nearly every Jewish theme is touched upon, providing readers with an excellent overview of Jewish history, life and lore. Hammer expounds nicely upon the day’s theme by quoting ancient and medieval Torah luminaries as well as modern-day scholars, but at times her biblical quotes merely repeat much of what she has already expressed, and the space might better have been used by quoting other sources that shed new light. The calendar begins with a well-researched analysis of the myriad elements and divisions of nature, ends with a thorough explanation of solstices and equinoxes, and contains a treasure chest of Jewish gems within. (Oct.)