Journeys to a Jewish Life by Paula Amann

Journeys to a Jewish Life by Paula Amann

Follow the soul treks of Jews lost and found.
Be inspired to connect with Judaism in new ways.

No two people take the same journey.... Yet the telling of each story can ease the footsteps of those who follow.... It is my hope that these] tales will offer you camaraderie, a guidepost here and there, and, most of all, the heart and strength to pursue your own path.
--from the Introduction

What draws Jews back to their religious roots? What drives them away? What obstacles must they overcome to find their way home?

Paula Amann candidly probes these questions and more as she explores how secular and nominal Jews are blazing their own trails toward a vibrant, twenty-first-century Judaism. With the ear of a journalist and the heart of a seeker, Amann weaves a tapestry of human stories--of alienation, connection, spiritual detours, and unexpected portals into a life of faith. The people you meet in this engaging book will throw a fresh light on Jewish thought and practice. And their tales of personal transformation might just renew your relationship with Judaism--or send you off on your own Jewish journey.

Topics include:

• Swerving In and Out of Other Faiths
• Traditions That Chafe
• The Arts as a Portal
• Healing Body and Soul
• Making a Jewish Life That Works
• ... And Many Others

Paula Amann is a former news editor of the Washington Jewish Week. She is also a former staff writer at B'nai Brith International, and winner of three Simon Rockower Awards for Excellence in journalism. A Chicago native, she lives with her family near Washington, D.C.