At thirteen, Danya Ruttenberg decided that she was an atheist. Watching the sea of adults standing up and sitting down at Rosh Hashanah services, a...
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Jan 10, 2009
Elevate Difference
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As a self-identified atheist, I found it odd that I was so compelled to read Danya Ruttenberg’s memoir about her life-long journey to Judaism, Surprised by God: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Religion. I had read Ruttenberg’s first book, Yentl's Revenge: The Next Wave of Jewish Feminism—a collection of young Jewish feminists discussing how to negotiate their faith and their feminism—a few years ago and fell in love with the complexity of the topics that Ruttenberg encouraged each contri
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Jul 25, 2009
Ginger
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I really enjoyed reading this book until about half way through, and then the narrator's attitude changes so much that I had a hard time identifying with her. It seemed that she began letting her pursuit of religion define her and a lot of what she believed in the beginning changed drastically. I know that everyone is allowed to change in their lives, but I don't think "finding religion" has to redefine who you are. I have been studying Judaism and would like to officially convert some
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May 23, 2009
Laurie
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I keep picking up memoirs written by Jewish authors that detail how they fell away from their religion and either found God again and turned to Christianity or became more deeply immersed in the Jewish religion, as in the case of this book and in its author Danya Ruttenberg. I thought the book was very interesting and the methods she used to learn about her faith were really cool. But at times, I felt like I was back in my Non-Fiction Writing Class in college where we had to use sources to suppl
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Oct 18, 2009
Andy
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I appreciate Ruttenberg's candor in sharing her personal story and the piercing insight with which she examines earlier phases of her life, and I celebrate that she integrated all the threads of her life and spirit into a path that's productive and vital. But it's just one person's story after all that, and doesn't sound much different from what I've heard from other people who come home religiously after much experimentation.
Apr 06, 2009
Beth
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I really liked this book for several reasons. One, it really spoke to where I am at spiritually myself (growing up in a faith, rejecting it, then missing it and trying to reincorporate it into your life in a way that works and makes sense). She also brings up the tension, spoken or unspoken, that can crop up between your religion and your friends, which is also something I relate to. Two, it taught me a lot about modern Judaism that I wasn't necessarily aware of, and I always like learning mo
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Mar 14, 2010
Rachel
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I loved this book, and want to buy it for each and every person I know that struggles with the experience of their religious upbringing, their religious views, and their sense of self within their religion.
Feb 28, 2010
Diana
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Even though I never quite finished this book, I did enjoy reading of the author's spiritual journey, especially since some of it occurred in the Bay Area, so I recognized the locales.
Dec 24, 2009
Gwen
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The more I think about this book, the more I'm getting from it. We don't have all transformations like Ruttenberg did, but some of what she wrote resonates.
Jan 01, 2010
Esther
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Very interesting book about one woman's journey from declared atheism at 13 to a rich religious and spiritual discipline.
Dec 27, 2009
Phoebe
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Thought-provoking. "Surprised by God" was only partly a memoir -- much of the book reads more like a collection of sermons, tied together with a little autobiographical material. But they were pretty interesting sermons.
Feb 25, 2009
Jennifer
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It was very enjoyable read. The author explains her own path to accepting religion in her life. It is autobiographical in nature full of anecdotes and personal insights. While she writes from the perspective a woman rabbinical student she often refers to other religions and philosophers.
Jan 10, 2011
natalie
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Sometimes reads like a dissertation but I appreciated the quotes by thinkers from varied religious backgrounds. Cheesy at times but sincere. Made me think about the life I want to live. Addressed how we often pick and choose aspects of the Church (or any religion) we want to follow based on our lifestyles - why the easy way may not be the best way. Thoughtful and will stick with me.
Feb 03, 2010
Karen
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A Jewish version of "Eat, Love, Pray." The author has had an interesting journey, and is very knowledgeable about spiritual practice.
Oct 13, 2008
Sue
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What a pleasure, to read a "ba'al teshuvah" kind of story that is not Orthodox! Well written & compelling.
Apr 12, 2010
Mary
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This book came at the right time for me-thus the high rating. I would recommend it to anyone.
Aug 16, 2010
Alicia
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Good personal journey from non believing to active Jewish believer.. Good information on Judaism
Nov 02, 2010
Danya Ruttenberg’s "Surprised by God" caused me to sit up and take notice. Raised Jewish, Ruttenberg is proud as a teen of being a hip, feminist, intellectual atheist. After her mother dies, she finds her way back to increasingly observant Judaism. She struggles with keeping the Sabbath, keeping kosher – and keeping her nonobservant friends. Her commitment to deepening her receptivity to God by limiting her choices in some areas (not driving or carrying money on the Sabbath, becomi
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