Best Jewish Everything

Genre classification: a reference book/ memoire/ interview-discussion/ theology/ spiritual guidance.
Style and lexical level: similar to the well known book of Albom, “Tuesdays with Morrie”, the central technique is an ongoing dialogue between the author and a spiritual teacher. As the dramatic life events of a priest unfold and are incorporated with Mitch’s own recollections. Portrayed realistically and written in a fluent language in an upbeat pace depicting real life events.

Mitch grew up amongst a typical American Jewish Community, however, its Rabbi was a very unconventional person. One day the Rabbi Albert Lewis approaches him and solicits Mitch to perform his eulogy on the day of his death. Mitch who is nonetheless astonished by the unusual request agrees to fulfill his wish. In order to accomplish the task justly, Mitch feels he should get to know the Rabbi better, which becomes the cause to a series of meetings where he asks the Rabbi trivial as profound questions about his life and faith. The dialogues which begin with a certain awkwardness turn out into penetrating conversations on faith, and religion and the essence of belief.

The Rabbi is a very unique figure, he is full of faith, joy and he is confident in his belief. He shows much affection for people and is tolerant to all. For instance, he shows Mitch a photograph of a Palestinian family whom died during “The Six Day War”, the Rabbi kept it from a visit to Israel. God loves the enemy equally, he explains to Mitch who is taken aback. The conversations between the two are intertwined with anecdotes, traditional fables and the Rabbi’s sermons.

Concurrently to this story line, we are acquainted with Henry Carrington’s dramatic life story, a youth from a broken Christian home. Early on in his life, Henry falls into a life of crime. After losing his baby daughter, he furiously turns to drugs both as a dealer and an addict. Needing the drugs Henry robs other dangerous dealers, and soon realizing his error he realizes his life is in danger. At this point, Henry vows to lead a life of faith and worship the Lord, if he is saved. Henry quits the drugs and becomes a priest in a most poor church in Detroit which serves as a shelter to the homeless. Facing recession days the church lacks the means for heating during the harsh winter, and many people suffer from the freezing weather.

Here the two stories cross, and the priest and Rabbi work in cooperation to provide for the hungry and the people in need, Mitch write about the dire situation in his newspaper column and donations to the church start streaming.

After 8 years of continuous communication between the priest and the Rabbi, the latter’s health deteriorates. Mitch performs a moving eulogy after the death of the loving Rabbi whom was so inspiring and supporting to his community.

Reading the book is a great pleasure. It is captivating all the way through and the characters are thrilling and stimulating. Mitch writing is very attentive and he observes his surrounding with much curiosity and wisdom. The book has an abundance of heart- touching moments, such as the loving affection between the Rabbi and his wife who support each other unconditionally, even through the most extreme events. The writer’s talent is well expressed in the way in which he combines and interacts between the two narratives, resulting in a human image of common and imperfect people.

This book of Mitch was even more enjoyable for me than his celebrated one, “Tuesday’s with Morrie” in view of its Jewish context. The Rabbi’s character who is courageous when dealing with faith skepticism concerning faith which affects all of us. For instance, why do are the good and just confronted with tragedies? These concepts are considered not only theoretically or philosophically, but also practically through real life events, as the Rabbi himself had lost his 4 year old daughter, during a severe asthmatic attack. The book is well written and read effortlessly, reflecting life wisdom of both the author and the principal character. It is suitable for anyone and especially for those who are interested in questions concerning faith. Furthermore, due to its Jewish context it is more than ever apt for the Israeli reader. The book is a touching recount of the writer’s acquaintance with unusual people and would be an excellent and valuable gift.

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