by Noah Feldman
First published 2024
Noah Feldman examines what Jewish identity means in our current moment of global upheaval. The legal scholar and columnist uses his deep personal connection to Judaism to survey how the religion manifests today. Feldman investigates how contemporary Jews relate to God, Israel, and one another in their daily lives. He writes about different Jewish perspectives with both sympathy and sharp analysis. The book reveals a shared "theology of struggle" among Jews as they grapple with divine questions and existence itself. Feldman demonstrates how Israel's establishment reshaped Judaism over the past century and continues to influence all Jews today. He draws parallels between Jewish belonging and family membership, complete with the frustrations and bonds that family brings. The work spans from ancient rabbis and Maimonides to modern interpreters of the faith. Feldman covers messianic hopes and the traditional belief that no "bad Jew" exists. His analysis provides readers of any background with new insight into the challenges and rewards of contemporary Jewish experience.
Genres: religion, non-fiction, academic, jewish
Vibes: intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: family-secrets
Setting: Israel
Period: Contemporary, Ancient
416 pages · Hardcover · Farrar, Straus and Giroux