The First Jewish Catalog: A Do-It-Yourself Kit
Written: Feb 05 '03 (Updated Feb 11 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: funny, easy to read, good information
Cons: a bit of a throwback to anoother era.
The Bottom Line: A good book for getting started learning to make Jewish practice more of your day-to-day living.
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| naphtalia's Full Review: Michael Strassfeld and Richard Siegel - The First ... |
When I was a Bat Mitzvah back in 1975, the most popular book in the Jewish gift shops was The Jewish Catalog. At that time, there was just one catalog. There are now three. It was big and orange (because orange was a popular color then) and full of a sort of hippie mentality that one could and should make everything Jewish for oneself. The funky little line drawings didn't look professional, but they were certainly charming. Most importantly, the instructions were good.
I recently came across the latest edition. It is now called The First Jewish Catalog: A Do-It-Yourself Kit. It hasn't changed much inside. There are still instructions on how to make your own wine, how to crochet a kippah, how to tie the knots on your tallit (prayer shawl), braid and bake a challah, start a Jewish library or bringt he Messiah. The book is written in clear and easy language. For myself who grew up with a great deal of tradition, it is a wonderful way to explore my Judaism in a more personal manner. For those who are new to Judaism or just trying to find out information, there is all kinds of good stuff here, too.
The book is divided into sections labeled Space, Time, Word, and Man/Woman. In Space are subsections dealing with symbols of the home, keeping kosher, challah, candles, kippahs, tallit, tefillin and so on. There is also a section here about Jewish travel in Europe, Russia, and Israel as well as a section on making Aliyah (moving permanently to Israel).
In Time are issues dealing with the Jewish calendar, holidays, and life cycle events. It is here you will find out about how the calendar works, the particulars about Channukah and Passover and the things you need to make a Jewish wedding.
In Word, the scribal arts are described. There are instructions on Hebrew lettering, gematria (Jewish numerology), books, music and films.
In Man/Woman are discussions of how to bring the Messiah, women's activities, and an introduction to the Jewish establishment.
This is a great book for people doing research to get started. As said in the title, it is a catalog. It is not a final resource, but it will set you on the path to knowing what the questions are you want to ask. It will also help you find more answers if you need more detail. The book doesn't just provide instruction, it provides guidance on finding more resources.
For anyone who remembers the 70s, this book will be familiar in style. It's a large-format black-and-white workbook/catalog. It has the feeling of a counter-culture book of the era, but lacks the adamancy of some of those. Instead, this is a book for both bubbes (grandmas) and kinderlach (little children).
The book is fun and funky, but never disrespectful. The book can get a bit skimpy when talking about Halacha (tradition) but it never leaves it behind - it just glosses over. Deep Halachic discussion are simply not what this book is about.
I would still recommend this book for a Bat or Bar Mitzvah gift, or for those who are interested in making their Judaism more a part of their day to day lives.
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If you would like to read more of my reviews of books of Jewish interest, you might want to check out some of the following links:Pentateuch and Haftorah
Etz Hayim: Torah and Commentaries
The First Jewish Catalog: A Do-It-Yourself Kit
Pentateuch and Haftorah
Etz Hayim: Torah and Commentaries
The Atlas of the Holocaust
The Chosen
Maus: A Survivor’s Tale
Jewish Humor by Joseph Telushkin
Lost In Translation: A Life in a New Language
Mrs. Katz and Tush
Ascending Jacob’s Ladder: The Jewish View of Angels, Demons and Evil Spirits
Every Person’s Guide to Death and Dying in the Jewish Tradition
The Holocaust Industry
Samson’s Lion: A Novel for the Millennium
Recommended:
Yes
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