Wonder, the New York Times #1 bestseller by R.J. Palacio, engages readers in the world of August Pullman, a fifth grader whose appearance tests the limits of “othering,” turning someone who is different into an “other.” Having home-schooled his whole life, Auggie enters school for his first time while his classmates face his craniofacial abnormality for their first time. Layers of bullying ravel and unravel revealing the potential within each of us for either escalating ill-will or good-will. Each layer ups the ante.
Category Archives: Books on Faith and Spirituality
Star Crossed
Memoirs are crossing my desk lately and this one was delightful. The story of an interfaith courtship from the 1960’s, Star Crossed by Bette Isacoff, tells of a Catholic-Jewish relationship with several counts against it before it even gets started. The book succeeds on several levels, including time-specific and time-eternal. Let me explain.
Mixed-Up Love
I was not initially excited by the book, Mixed Up Love, written by Jon Sweeney and Michal Woll, telling 
about their interfaith union. For while I am all for sharing stories about successful intermarriage (being in one for over 25 years), I was not sure what the hype was about. But as I read and reflected on what they had to say and experienced, I came to appreciate the nuances of their story and the courage of their commitment. It is one that stands on the cusp of a larger opportunity.
Not only is one partner in this interfaith marriage Jewish, but she is also a Rabbi. This alone was not enough to bowl me over as there are many intermarried clergy who faced similar situations. I too am ordained but as an Interfaith Minister. My seminary was founded by an Orthodox Jewish Rabbi AND I completed the coursework for Rabbinic Seminary International. BUT… Continue reading Mixed-Up Love
Religious Schools Teaching More Than One Religion?
Being Both: Embracing Two Religions in One Interfaith Family, by Susan Katz Miller, is a preview of how everyone’s ideas about religion may be significantly influenced as a direct result of intermarriage. And while not all intermarried families choose to raise their children with both parent’s religion, the experience of those who do is well worth a look.
Being Both sheds light on why an increasing number of families choose to practice two religions and how they do it. Continue reading Religious Schools Teaching More Than One Religion?
God Is Not One and the Paradox that Follows
In God Is Not One, author and Religious Studies professor Stephen Prothero sums up the problems that major religions try to solve and the solutions they offer. In the case of Judaism, the problem is “exile” and the solution is “return.” For Christianity, the problem is “sin” and the solution “salvation,” and so on. When you think about it, this theme of “exile and return” describes much of Jewish thought. Yet, a paradox soon follows.
Continue reading God Is Not One and the Paradox that Follows