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:

  • Here All Along: Finding Meaning, Spirituality, and a Deeper Connection to Life—in Judaism (After Finally Choosing to Look There) by Sarah Hurwitz

This book is a masterpiece, except for the third chapter about God, in which our author falls woefully short (in my opinion), summarily distorting and dismissing the deeply personal, authentic, loving, just, and transcendent Creator. Yet as an inspiring primer of practical Judaism, its logic and its aims, it surpasses many books in the Orthodox canon. Highly recommended!

  • 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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