Jewish Resources for Exploring Further

Websites for Jewish beginners:

Free 1:1 learning about Judaism and Torah:

Free online Judaism classes:

For those in the New Jersey area:

For college students:

A Standout Essay & Recommended Books

On women and relationships:

  • "Loving Jewishly" by Gila Berkowitz, a dynamic essay about mikvah, available here
  • A Hedge of Roses by Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm (Feldheim, 1987)
  • The Jewish Way in Love and Marriage by Rabbi Maurice Lamm (Jonathan David Co, Inc., 2008)
  • The Magic Touch: A Jewish Approach to Relationships by Gila Manolson (Kindle, 2016)
  • Hand’s Off: This May Be Love by Gila Manolson (Lifecodex, 2013)
  • Outside Inside by Gila Manolson (Diamond Press, 2005)
  • Head to Heart: What to Know Before Dating and Marriage by Gila Manolson (Targum, 2002)
  • A Return to Modesty: Discovering the Lost Virtue by Wendy Shalit (Simon and Shuster, 2014)
  • Unprotected: A Campus Psychiatrist Reveals How Political Correctness in her Profession Endangers Every Student by Miriam Grossman, MD (Sentinel, 2007)
  • You’re Teaching My Child What? A Physician Exposes the Lies of Sex Education and How They Harm Your Child by Miriam Grossman, MD (Regnery Publishing, Inc., 2009)

Jewish books for beginners:

  • This is My God by Herman Wouk (audiobook, available on Amazon)
  • The Chumash, the Stone Edition: The Torah, Haftaros and Five Megillos with a Commentary Anthologized from the Rabbinic Writings (ArtScroll Mesorah Publications, Ltd. 1993)
  • Letters to Talia by Dov Indig (Gefen Publishing House, 2012)
  • Life is a Test: How to Meet Life’s Challenges Successfully by Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis (K’hal Publishing, 2007)
  • God Winked by Sara Yocheved Rigler (Mekor Press, 2012)

On practical self-improvement:

  • Rabbi Noach Weinberg’s 48 Ways to Wisdom by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith (Artscroll Mesorah Publications, 2017)

A classic exposition of Judaism for the deep thinker (from the 1700s):

  • The Way of God by Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, trans. Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan (Feldheim, 1981)

Recommended books on recovery, marriage & parenting:

  • Adult Children of Abusive Parents: A Healing Program for Those Who Have Been Physically, Sexually, or Emotionally Abused by Steven Farmer, M.A. (Earth Magic Inc., 2016)
  • Getting the Love You Want by Harville Hendrix, PhD (Henry Holt Company, 2008)
  • The Surrendered Wife by Laura Doyle (Touchstone, 2001)
  • The Empowered Wife by Laura Doyle (BenBella Books, 2017)
  • Things Will Get as Good as You Can Stand by Laura Doyle (Touchstone, 2004)
  • Playful Parenting by Lawrence J. Cohen, PhD (Ballantine Books, 2001)

Discussion Questions for Miranda Portnoy's Books

  • For Making Meaning Out of Madness: A Jewish Journey, available here
  • For Cinder Oy-la! How a Jewish Scapegoat Becomes a Princess, available here

Press Materials for Miranda Portnoy

Miranda Portnoy's Judaism Essays

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