Jacqueline Bassan discusses her book, “From Shul to Cool.” She begins by explaining the inspiration behind the book, which came from her own love of music and how she grew up listening to music in Shul, learning Yiddish folk songs, show tunes,...
Judaism - Customs and practices - Meditations; Life cycle, Human - Religious aspects -Judaism - Meditations; Life change events - Religious aspects - Judaism - Meditations; Jewish meditations; Life cycle, Human - Religious aspects - Judaism - Poetry
Harold Schulweis discusses his book, “Finding Each Other in Judaism.” He begins by explaining that the first instance of philosophical wisdom that is found in the bible is when God says that it is not good for the human being to be alone and...
Gooch, Brad, 1952-; Spirituality - United States; United States - Religion
Brad Gooch discusses his book, “Godtalk.” He begins by explaining the new religious phenomenon of Urbantia, a book that was supposedly sent down to a farmer in Chicago by aliens in the 1920s. He talks about traveling around America and how he...
George P. Fletcher discusses his book, “Loyalty.” He begins by explaining that his book is a collection of essays on religious beliefs in the judicial system. He talks about how people stay true to their beliefs when a court has divided...
Interfaith marriage - United States;
Marriage - Religious aspects - Judaism;
Marriage - Religious aspects - Christianity
Paul Cowan and Rachel Cowan discuss their book, “Mixed Blessings.” They begin by explaining that they are an interfaith couple and decided to write their own wedding ceremony so they could incorporate both aspects of Judaism and Christianity. ...
Robin B. Wright discusses her book, “In the Name of God.” She begins by explaining that her book is about the rule of Shah Ruhollah Khomeini in Iran. She talks about the differences among religious sects in the Middle East. She describes...
Ferraro, Barbara; Hussey, Patricia, 1949-; Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur - United States - History - 20th century; Catholic Church - United States - History - 1965-;
Catholic Church - Doctrines;
Ex-nuns - United States - Biography;
Abortion -...
Barbara Ferraro and Patricia Hussey discuss their book, “No Turning Back.” They begin by explaining that they are both former nuns in the Catholic Church. Ferraro talks about the Church’s taking away of individuality, spirit, femininity,...
Loss (Psychology) - Religious aspects - Judaism; Consolation (Judaism); Bereavement - Religious aspects - Judaism; Jewish way of life
David Wolpe discusses his book, “Making Loss Matter: Creating Meaning in Difficult Times.” Wolpe talks about his relationship with Mitch Albom, who wrote the introduction of the book. He describes Jacob from the Bible, and states one must...
Bin Laden, Osama, 1957-; Terrorists - Saudi Arabia - Biography; Terrorists - Afghanistan - Biography; Terrorism - Religious aspects - Islam
Jonathan Randal discusses his book, “Osama: The Making of a Terrorist.” Randal says he tried to arrange an interview with Osama Bin Laden, but was unable to meet with him. He talks about Bin Laden’s antagonism against Saudi Arabia’s...
Vietnam War, 1961-1975 - United States - Fiction; Belief and doubt - Fiction; Mothers - Death - Fiction; Male friendship - Fiction; Predestination - Fiction; Birthfathers - Fiction; New Hampshire - Fiction
John Irving discusses his book, “A Prayer for Owen Meany.” Meany is described as a religious figure that is undersized and damaged, who accidentally kills his best friend’s mother. Owen goes on to find success in the written word and...
National characteristics, Israeli; Israel - Social conditions; Israel - Ethnic relations; Orthodox Judaism - Relations - Nontraditional Jews
Donna Rosenthal discusses her book, “The Israelis.” She begins by explaining how she spent 5 years living in Israel and how she goes back frequently to visit. She discusses how she worked in television, radio, and did writing while she was...
Self-actualization (Psychology); Self-actualization (Psychology) - Religious aspects - Judaism; Fate and fatalism - Religious aspects - Judaism; Providence and government of God - Judaism; Planning; Self-management (Psychology)
Rabbi Sherre Z. Hirsch discusses her book, “We Plan, God Laughs.” She begins by explaining her background as a female rabbi, and how she decided that the rabbinical path was right for her. She says that too many individuals live in the past,...
Near-death experiences; Near-death experiences - Religious aspects
Phillip L. Berman discusses his book, “The Journey Home.” He begins by explaining that he traveled around the country interviewing people who have had near death experiences. He says that the majority of people, regardless of age or religious...
Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790 - Language; Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790 - Literary style; Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790 - Quotations; Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790; American wit and humor; Statesmen - United States - Biography
Paul M. Zall discusses his book, “Benjamin Franklin’s Humor.” He begins by explaining that Franklin wrote his own book of proverbs, and wrote satire stories for his brother’s newspaper. Franklin would also write satirical letters to...
Tim Guest talks about his book, “My Life in Orange.” He begins by explaining that he spent his childhood with his parents living in a commune. He talks about how his mother was devoutly religious but decided she wanted a more mystical...
Harold S. Kushner discusses his book, “Overcoming Life’s Disappointments.” He begins by explaining that he is a rabbi and a marriage counselor at his synagogue. He talks about God’s promise to never abandon his people in difficult times. ...
Jewish sermons, American;
History, Modern - 20th century - Sermons
Jacob Pressman discusses his book, “Dear Friends.” He begins by explaining that he is a rabbi and this book is a compilation of his sermons from the 1930s to today. He describes how he picked his favorite sermons from the 4,000 that he has...
Sue Mansfield discusses her book, “The Gestalts of War,” which looks at patterns of wars in different social civilizations. In the 1800s, war was about greed; in the present, it is more about religious conflict. She ultimately sees war as...
Leonard Wolf discusses his novel, “The False Messiah.” He begins by explaining that his book takes place in the year 1630 and follows a real man named Shabbethai Tzevi who believed he was the second coming of the Messiah. He describes the...
Bible. O.T. - Antiquities - Fiction; Women archaeologists - Fiction; Archaeological thefts - Fiction; Christian antiquities - Fiction
Steve Shagan discusses his novel, “The Discovery.” He begins by explaining that his book is about two archaeologists who fall through a desert hole in Syria and find hidden temples. He talks about how this is a true story of how two...
