A thoughtful, spiritual approach to grappling with and sharing momentous occasions.
Geller and Lieberman offer a guide to commemorating late-in-life milestones aimed at Jewish readers.
The authors state in their introduction, “this book is written for active adults who want to mark an important moment of transition.” Such moments of transition include events like finalizing the end of a marriage, moving to a new community, and sending children off into the world to make their own marks. Geller and Lieberman detail rituals that one can perform to mark these times of change, including a special way in which one might celebrate a significant birthday: Their suggestions include gathering friends and family, providing four cups for each participant, and, after blessings, taking a drink from each cup; the participants can also recite the traditional Jewish birthday blessing of Ad mei-ah v’esrim (“may you live to be 120”). The text also provides “Words of Wisdom,” with firsthand accounts from people who have gone through important life events and guidance for clergy. The authors are thoughtful in their approach; they suggest that readers desiring a public ceremony to demonstrate that they are starting a new relationship ask, “What are you signaling to other people if your ceremony is public?” The book offers novel takes on situations that can be notably uncomfortable. A chapter titled “Coming Out with Memory Loss” details a ceremony designed to inform others that one has been diagnosed with a memory disorder—the diagnosed individual can pray to the “God of compassion” to “soothe [their] spirit” whenever confusion takes hold. They may also ask God to “Accompany my loved ones as they walk in the shadow of my illness.” This openness about difficult life stages gives the work its appeal; Geller and Lieberman offer comfort and hope in places where such things are often lacking.
A thoughtful, spiritual approach to grappling with and sharing momentous occasions.Pub Date: Oct. 20, 2025
ISBN: 9780881236644
Page Count: 208
Publisher: Central Conference of American Rabbis Press
Review Posted Online: Nov. 11, 2025
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
The lessons to draw are obvious: Smoke more dope, eat less meat. Like-minded readers will dig it.
The chef, rapper, and TV host serves up a blustery memoir with lashings of self-help.
“I’ve always had a sick confidence,” writes Bronson, ne Ariyan Arslani. The confidence, he adds, comes from numerous sources: being a New Yorker, and more specifically a New Yorker from Queens; being “short and fucking husky” and still game for a standoff on the basketball court; having strength, stamina, and seemingly no fear. All these things serve him well in the rough-and-tumble youth he describes, all stickball and steroids. Yet another confidence-builder: In the big city, you’ve got to sink or swim. “No one is just accepted—you have to fucking show that you’re able to roll,” he writes. In a narrative steeped in language that would make Lenny Bruce blush, Bronson recounts his sentimental education, schooled by immigrant Italian and Albanian family members and the mean streets, building habits good and bad. The virtue of those habits will depend on your take on modern mores. Bronson writes, for example, of “getting my dick pierced” down in the West Village, then grabbing a pizza and smoking weed. “I always smoke weed freely, always have and always will,” he writes. “I’ll just light a blunt anywhere.” Though he’s gone through the classic experiences of the latter-day stoner, flunking out and getting arrested numerous times, Bronson is a hard charger who’s not afraid to face nearly any challenge—especially, given his physique and genes, the necessity of losing weight: “If you’re husky, you’re always dieting in your mind,” he writes. Though vulgar and boastful, Bronson serves up a model that has plenty of good points, including his growing interest in nature, creativity, and the desire to “leave a legacy for everybody.”
The lessons to draw are obvious: Smoke more dope, eat less meat. Like-minded readers will dig it.Pub Date: April 20, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-4197-4478-5
Page Count: 184
Publisher: Abrams
Review Posted Online: May 5, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2021
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