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Summary: One of My Favorite Books
Review: Although I (Thank God) have not experienced a tragic loss like the ones described in Rabbi Levy's book, I related to and loved every chapter. I have read this book twice and have given it to at least 5 friends to read. Why does this book touch me in such a personal way? I am not quite sure (I'll just have to read it again!) Perhaps it's her down to earth writing. Perhaps it's the human-ness of the book - real people with real problems (or ordinary people with extraordinary situations?). Perhaps it's the use of blessings to confirm life itself. Perhaps it is a confirmation of Judaism (liberal or traditional) as a path to live a more fulfilling life even when life "isn't fair." Perhaps it is a realization, as we mature, that bad does happen (and, sometimes good does come out of bad). Also, human pain is real and common - and, becomes easier to live with in a caring community.
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Summary: Wisdom is not gender-biased in Judaism.
Review: Contrary to some beliefs, female Rabbis have added immeasurably to the wealth of Jewish thought and understanding. This book is an example of such wisdom. If you are looking for a good gift for someone struggling with loss - this is it.
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Summary: Says there aren't always answers but there is always hope
Review: Going beyond books with glib answers and easy how-to formulas for handling life's deepest and most painful losses, the author of this book has the honesty to acknowledge that grief is often very personal, mysterious and not easily resolved. What's more, the author seems to be saying, sometimes there is value in simply listening to grief and learning from it. I don't mean to imply that Levy always has a "wait and see" approach to grief, however. As a former rabbi for a Conservative congregation on the West Coast, her advice is solidly grounded in Jewish values and each section ends with a heartfelt prayer, lending perspective to her words. She also gives numberous examples of how individuals handled the most difficult losses one can face, from seeing family perish in the Holocaust to losing a child or spouse. This is an inspirational, warm and very engaging book.
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Summary: A warm and compassionate book filled with love and devotion
Review: I became aware of Rabbi Levy"s book by the announcement of Rabbi Sherman's impending review of "TO BEGIN AGAIN" , scheduled for Tuesday April 13th at 10am at Temple Adath Yeshurun.Rabbi Sherman is very selective in his choice of books for review. Rabbi Sherman also reviewed my own new book 'IN SEARCH OF SELF, IN THE SERVICE OF OTHERS . I wish there had been more ads for Rabbi Naomi Levy"s wonderful book so more people would be aware of its existence. I will tell all my family and friends of this good book and encourage them to buy and read it.This book gives wise direction to not only people of the Jewish faith but also to adherents of any faith! Thank you, Rabbi Levy for helping me and many others with your wise and compassionate counseling. I empathize with you as a Jewish Holocaust survivor who was interviewed by the Steven Spielberg foundation. God Bless you,and all your loved ones, Rabbi Levy!
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Summary: An Answer!
Review: I became visually impaired (legally blind) February 2000 and I am unable to read books with my own two eyes. I have found the next best way-audios! It has opened a new world for me and now I can "listen" all I want. Listening to Naomi Levy's book, To Begin Again, opened my eyes to looking at my loss as a way to open new doors and meeting new people. The loss of my vision put me in a tail spin. I now look for new ways to read and write for myself. The computer has also given me a way to express myself. I do NOT the loss of my vision interfere with living and I have started a new beginning for myslef. I would love to meet Naomi Levy to tell her how much her book touched my heart and soul. My Rrabbi has been very inspirational for my new beginnings.
Rating:
Summary: A Gift
Review: If I had a wish it would be to talk to Rabbi Levy. What a wonderful source of wisdom she is. I usually speed read books but this one I purchased after the prayer book and it has been rabbit eared, underlined, and had many tears spilled on it's pages. My story is a series of bad things over the last ten years and I've turned to many books and people for guidance. Now I realize God is there and he is there in this book. This book helped me believe again. She also said something that helped me explain myself to my family. I read all the time. Especially spiritual books; She talks about how studying and reading can be God's way of talking to you. This book is an example of that through Rabbi Levy. I admire her for her strength to become a Rabbi. I always wish my church would let women be Priests so I understand her prayers to be able to become a Rabbi. Anyone going through any kind of difficult time could benefit from this book. Her own experience, when you look at her smiling picture in the back of the book, you cannot believe her father was murdered. I guess it is true that great sorrow often gives way to great wisdom. This one will stay by my bed with my rosary.
Rating:
Summary: A Gift
Review: If I had a wish it would be to talk to Rabbi Levy. What a wonderful source of wisdom she is. I usually speed read books but this one I purchased after the prayer book and it has been rabbit eared, underlined, and had many tears spilled on it's pages. My story is a series of bad things over the last ten years and I've turned to many books and people for guidance. Now I realize God is there and he is there in this book. This book helped me believe again. She also said something that helped me explain myself to my family. I read all the time. Especially spiritual books; She talks about how studying and reading can be God's way of talking to you. This book is an example of that through Rabbi Levy. I admire her for her strength to become a Rabbi. I always wish my church would let women be Priests so I understand her prayers to be able to become a Rabbi. Anyone going through any kind of difficult time could benefit from this book. Her own experience, when you look at her smiling picture in the back of the book, you cannot believe her father was murdered. I guess it is true that great sorrow often gives way to great wisdom. This one will stay by my bed with my rosary.
Rating:
Summary: Inspiring. Encouraging. Optimistic.
Review: In this very personal book Rabbi Levy takes us through her own very personal story of loss so that we may ourselves recover from the death of a loved one. As a young teenager she lost her father and in this work of nonfiction she takes us through her struggle with G-d (HaShem), with helping her mother, and with living the rest of her life without her dad. We are able, as readers, to bond with the author as she takes us through her life from teenager to young adult and then through college. We experience the transformation of Rabbi Levy through rabbinical school to her obtaining a pulpit of her own in a congregation full of daily and weekly worshipers. Each chapter of this inspiring book finishes itself with a wonderful peaceful serene meditation that leaves the reader feeling just wonderfully at peace and without grief. This book was recommended to me by my therapist. I was hesitant to read it at first because it was written by a female Rabbi. I did not feel that I would have anything to gain from the female perspective. Then I had to stop and think. I am grieving over the loss of my dear beloved wife who died too young at the age of 47 from brain cancer. She is up there in heaven whacking me on the side of the head if I don't change my "Archie Bunker" ideas and read the book. Well, I did. It proved to be a defining decision in my road to recovery from grief. This book is one of two that I read and, along with individual and group therapy that helped me overcome the 2.5 year nursing home ordeal of brain cancer, that finally culminated in death. It does not matter whether you are Jewish or not, whether you are male or female, buy this book if someone you love has died, it will help you.
Rating:
Summary: Inspiring. Encouraging. Optimistic.
Review: In this very personal book Rabbi Levy takes us through her own very personal story of loss so that we may ourselves recover from the death of a loved one. As a young teenager she lost her father and in this work of nonfiction she takes us through her struggle with G-d (HaShem), with helping her mother, and with living the rest of her life without her dad. We are able, as readers, to bond with the author as she takes us through her life from teenager to young adult and then through college. We experience the transformation of Rabbi Levy through rabbinical school to her obtaining a pulpit of her own in a congregation full of daily and weekly worshipers. Each chapter of this inspiring book finishes itself with a wonderful peaceful serene meditation that leaves the reader feeling just wonderfully at peace and without grief. This book was recommended to me by my therapist. I was hesitant to read it at first because it was written by a female Rabbi. I did not feel that I would have anything to gain from the female perspective. Then I had to stop and think. I am grieving over the loss of my dear beloved wife who died too young at the age of 47 from brain cancer. She is up there in heaven whacking me on the side of the head if I don't change my "Archie Bunker" ideas and read the book. Well, I did. It proved to be a defining decision in my road to recovery from grief. This book is one of two that I read and, along with individual and group therapy that helped me overcome the 2.5 year nursing home ordeal of brain cancer, that finally culminated in death. It does not matter whether you are Jewish or not, whether you are male or female, buy this book if someone you love has died, it will help you.
Rating:
Summary: When you think all is lost.
Review: Many years ago Rabbi Harold Kushner wrote the now classic book, When Bad Things Happen to Good People. Now it is as if Rabbi Naomi Levy has written a companion book with To Begin Again, which also discusses constructively what we can do when our lives are turned upset down. Drawing on her own experience when her father was killed and the author was a young woman, Rabbi Levy explains how she turned away from God and questioned how God could allow this murder to occur to her religious father and family. But she also goes on to describe the change in her thoughts abotu God as she attended college and then decided to become a Rabbi. Rabbi Levy explains how she came to think of God as by our side during our lowest times and the power or force that guides us back to productive lives. The author also helps us to see how other things in our lives like nature and friends and even community actitivites can help sustain us as we begin to live again As I enjoyed reading Rabbi Kushner's book almost 20 years ago, so did I enjoy Rabbi Levy's equally inspiring and informative book. And to add to my reading pleasure was the wonderful experience I had when I was able to hear Rabbi Levy speak in person and meet with her afterwards. I do hope she will continue to write and look forward to reading her books.
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