In her groundbreaking book, Girl Meets God, Lauren Winner described her path from Orthodox Judaism to Christianity. Now, with characteristic...
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Oct 29, 2007
Marilyn
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I was curious about what this girl, raised Jewish in NY, currently living out Christian Faith in North Carolina. While I despise religion, and even Jesus says in Luke 15 that religion is more spiritually dangerous than overt immorality, I also find that adhering to certain dictates, rites is important, especially one like Sabbath day observance. "the Sabbath was made for man, not man for Sabbath." It is for our own good that we have a day of complete focus on nothing. No errands, no sh
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Jan 12, 2012
Angela
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When I first read this book, I was involved deeply with my church and teaching in an off-campus semester-long program for college juniors and seniors from Christian colleges and universities. The contents supported my work in both of these areas, giving me a greater sense of how to promote spiritual formation.
Now, seven years later, I'm re-reading this as a means of connecting with what many would consider pagan or women-centered religions, about which I know little, but which, I suspe More...
Now, seven years later, I'm re-reading this as a means of connecting with what many would consider pagan or women-centered religions, about which I know little, but which, I suspe More...
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Oct 21, 2010
Jamie
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Lauren Winner (Girl Meets God) writes a friendly introduction to the spiritual disciplines of Judaism, suggesting that they might also inform the Christian's disciplined life. I like Winner's style, for the most part: It's inviting, witty, and full of words you don't read everyday but wish you did. (Well, I wish I did.)
I particularly liked the inclusion of disciplines I wouldn't have really considered. Hospitality and aging, for example, don't usually make the list, but they are really More...
I particularly liked the inclusion of disciplines I wouldn't have really considered. Hospitality and aging, for example, don't usually make the list, but they are really More...
May 09, 2010
Kelly
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As detailed in her memoir Girl Meets God (which is amazing and a must-read, in the world according to me), she was an Orthodox Jew before converting to Christianity. In this book, she talks about 11 specific things Jews do that would possibly enrich Christian lives.
For example, she says that much of Judaism is an action--specific prayers, for instance, and rituals--and there tend not to be counterparts for that in Christianity.
So she compares and contrasts things like we More...
For example, she says that much of Judaism is an action--specific prayers, for instance, and rituals--and there tend not to be counterparts for that in Christianity.
So she compares and contrasts things like we More...
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Feb 13, 2010
I read this book aloud to me and my husband on a day trip yesterday. We both loved the book. Currently we are in a pentaostal denomination which is great, however, I am missing some of those basic disciplines that I grew up with that seem to be non existent in this denomination. This book reminded me of those things and why we need to have stable constant actions that keep us not to be too plainly put but in a routine. Repetition at it finest will bring us closer to the thing we are repeatin
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May 03, 2009
Julieta
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It's a study of the importance of rituals in our faith and in our lives. The writer was an Orthodox Jew and converted to Christianity. She goes into the historical/bilblical reasoning of areas from the Sabbath to mourning to candle-lighting, weddings, etc.
Some of the areas that stood out for me were:
*The Jewish schedule for mourning. They are disciplined in their approach to grieving which must be helpful.
*Hospitality--reminded me of the importance of welcoming people into More...
Some of the areas that stood out for me were:
*The Jewish schedule for mourning. They are disciplined in their approach to grieving which must be helpful.
*Hospitality--reminded me of the importance of welcoming people into More...
Jan 11, 2012
Teri
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I enjoyed this little exploration of practices of Judaism that Christianity has, in many ways, lost. The rituals of Sabbath, of the mezuzah, and of grieving in particular resonate with me. I also totally get Winner's description of fasting as something she probably needs to do but is terrible at. It's refreshing to read someone admitting they aren't good at something but they're going to try it anyway--that seems like a lost art in the church these days.
These are important practices-- More...
These are important practices-- More...
Mar 28, 2007
Mindy
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A great read I pick up from time to time. Easy to read a chapter here and a chapter there when you have a few spare minutes. Shares how her past faith (Judaism) affects the way she views and lives out Christianity. Which I think Christians could use a lot more of, seeing as our faith came from Judaism to begin with. Great for expanding the way you look at things like death, hospitality, and aging.
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Dec 16, 2009
linnea
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I really like Lauren Winner's integration of Judaism and Episcopalianism. She is somewhat rule-oriented, or at least "I'm not going to do this" oriented, which I find disturbing at times, but on the whole I found this little book rather encouraging. She's an academic and a Christian and she really cares about studying her faith(s). I love that there are notes at the back of the book.
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Jun 03, 2010
Nathan
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Winner is a Christian convert from Judaism, and in this book she takes up 11 traditions in the Jewish culture that she wants to incorporate into Christianity somehow. Some of them are already a part of the church--weddings, caring for the elderly, fasting--but others are foreign to Christians (hanging scripture on the door frame, keeping the Sabbath). I very much enjoyed hearing Winner's insightful combination of analysis, comparison, narrative, and spirituality.
Perhaps an overall t More...
Perhaps an overall t More...
Jun 01, 2009
Carlie
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This is a slim little volume on the topic of spirituality (not something I usually read much about) that is very accomplish-able, fresh, optimistic and useful. That's pretty impressive in my mind for a book of this category. The author is basically musing on her Orthodox Jewish background and how that effects her Christianity. She proposes carrying over some Jewish traditions into the Christian world and re-tooling others to capture the spirit of the practice in a more applicable manner. I felt
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Mar 19, 2010
Lora
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Lovely little book written by a Jewish girl who converted to Christianity. She does a very nice job of explaining many different Jewish traditions, such as keeping Kosher, weddings, doorposts and more. I kept comparing this in my mind the Herman Wouk's "This Is My God" which I read many years ago when I thought about converting to Judiasm (for a boy, natch). I think together, they really give Gentiles an understanding of rituals that are similar in some ways, but also different from
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Dec 17, 2008
Elsa
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Winner is on a different spiritual path than I am. We share a faith in Jesus Christ but how I get there is not the same as how she gets there. I knew this from reading Girl Meets God, which I read in seminary. I enjoy her candor in both books. She admits honestly that spirituality isn't automatic but takes work. In her words, I was reminded (which I needed to be) about how I claim my own spiritual practice. I'm not a Jewish convert. I'm not a Christian like Winner, but I do appreciate listening
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Aug 06, 2011
Brett's
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This is a very short book by a Jewish convert to Christianity (Anglicanism I think). Ms. Winner, rather than disdain her jewish roots, embraces them, and attempts to teach Christians how to be better Christians through the lens of Judiasm. I enjoyed the book and thought some of the points were well made (Christians stress correct belief, Jews correct practice); but towards the end her personal style began to wear on me and I found myself rushing through the cute stories about her fiance to get
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Dec 21, 2011
Joy
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This is a great book and I loved it. Winner took different spiritual disciplines--observing the Sabbath, mourning, eating, praying, body-image, etc., explained the Jewish disciplines associated with them and then made practical, concrete suggestions about how these disciplines might be adapted by practicing Christians. Winner presents her ideas as if she was sitting next to you in the Mudhouse Coffee Shop, one of her haunts in Virginia and the place where she got the idea for the book, in a fr
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Jul 10, 2011
Allison
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Update 7/6/11: I read this again as a sort of "spiritual discipline" refresher, and also because we are studying Hebrews in my church circle, which reminded me of this little guide to enriching our spiritual lives through various practices.
9/21/10: Refreshing take on what it means to be doers of the Word and not merely hearers. Lauren Winner (author of Girl Meets God), who converted from Judaism to Christianity, discusses the practices of her faith as a Jew and how they offer More...
9/21/10: Refreshing take on what it means to be doers of the Word and not merely hearers. Lauren Winner (author of Girl Meets God), who converted from Judaism to Christianity, discusses the practices of her faith as a Jew and how they offer More...
Apr 27, 2009
Julie
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I used this book as the basis of a study for a dynamic, curious and keen group of women at our church. We had a great time exploring the biblical basis for these different ways, all inherited from Christianity's Jewish roots, of living out spirituality in everyday life. But the book is not primarily about studying...instead, it prompts readers to TRY the various types of spirituality mentioned. In my books, that's spirituality at its best - where head meets heart, and both head and heart meet Go
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Jan 02, 2008
Laura
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I know that my fellow "Okras" out there weren't too fond of the Lauren Winner book on our list, but I was intrigued enough by the Jewish rituals, celebrations, etc. that I wanted a little more. Hence this pick. Mudhouse Sabbath is divided into topical chapters which compare Christian and Jewish tradition (in areas such as marriage, prayer, fasting...). Her basic point is that in some areas, we Christians could learn a thing or two by adopting a modified version of some Jewish tradit
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Oct 22, 2007
Hanaan
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I loved Winner's memoirs but this little volume was terrible. Firstly, this is a girl who is seriously in love with ritual. She loves Judaism, she loves Christianity, but mostly she seems to love liturgy and tradition. This is only a problem because she is supposedly writing about how Jewish tradition can be helpful to Christian life, but she doesn't give I believe even one single suggestion about how that can actually be done (also, her unusual love for ritual reduces her credibility when she g
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Sep 16, 2010
Racie
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I'm a fan of Lauren Winner so I came to this book with a bias in place but this quickly became my favorite of her works. Her reflections on how traditions and daily practice can enhance and define spiritual life really speak to an empty place in American protestantism. It's interesting to me that when she left Orthodox Judaism she was so quick to leave behind those daily practices but in the end I am glad to benefit from her wisdom. I especially appreciate her thoughts on mourning.
Mar 16, 2011
Lori
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I liked it. It was a really quick read, and very thought-provoking. I, of course, didn't agree with everything the author had to say, but I appreciated her earnestness. Reading this book caused me to reflect on my own Christianity and consider how I could live it more abundantly. I also learned some new things about Judaism. I think my favorite thing is how specifically and long-term they mourn and support a mourner.
Sep 24, 2009
Brian
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A quick read; Winner gives information and insight into several Jewish observances that often don't, but could, improve the devotional and spiritual lives of Christians. Few specific suggestions on how the reader might incorporate these practices into his life, but the info provided is a good place to start if one is prepared to invest some time in researching new spiritual practices.
Feb 10, 2009
Amy
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I had the distinct pleasure of reading Mudhouse Sabbath in Charlottesville, the geographical backdrop for Lauren Winner's reflections on Jewish and Christian traditions, on a sabbath-esque weekend. While I would recommend Winner's Girl Meets God more than Mudhouse Sabbath, Mudhouse Sabbath offers insight into Christianity that is unique and worth pondering.
Apr 20, 2011
Jill
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Fascinating look at a woman in her 20s who grew up a Jew and then converted to Christianity in college. This isn't so much an explanation of that choice (I think she does that in another book) as it is a comparison of the two religions. And more specifically, of their use (or lack therof, in the case of Christianity) of formal rituals. Each chapter explores seemingly mundane topics like eating or aging, and gives both sides of the coin - what she was glad to leave behind, and also what she mi
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Feb 12, 2009
Nancy
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As with Winner's memoir, Girl Meets God, I found this to be enriching, moving me to more dimension in understanding the kinship between ancient Judaistic rituals and Christian spiritual disciplines. I highly recommend this for anyone who takes the practice of Christian faith seriously. I will watch for more by this author.
Aug 05, 2011
Annabelle
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I really loved this book! Winner writes well and has some interesting insights into how Christianity can benefit from the devotional and spiritual practices of Judaism. This book was an open account of her own devotions and I appreciated her candor and conversational style. I look forward to reading more of her work.
Oct 31, 2010
Susan
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I enjoyed this book a lot more than Girl Meets G-d. Here she looks at 11 different areas of life or spiritual disciplines, contrasting and comparing Jewish and Christian approaches. It was interesting and at times helpful to read her summary of the Jewish approach, particulary on mourning, aging, and weddings. Her Christian application of the Jewish tradition often left much to be desired, but that relates more to my feelings about her previous book.
Jan 18, 2009
Shar
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I loved the explantions of the rituals/traditions of Jewish holidays and customs. Her perspective as a now Christian, former Jew, allows readers a better understanding of how Jews differ from Christians and how it affects their everyday life in a way Christians will never experience.
Feb 01, 2010
I saw this little book on my shelf when I was home in Delaware earlier this month for my grandpa's memorial service, and I picked it up and read the chapter on mourning. It struck a chord, so I checked it out from the Seattle library yesterday and read the mourning chapter again...and just kept reading.
I'm not sure what to think of Lauren Winner. After reading Girl Meets God: A Memoir, I thought we might be kindred spirits, in a way - mostly because we both love words so much. But More...
I'm not sure what to think of Lauren Winner. After reading Girl Meets God: A Memoir, I thought we might be kindred spirits, in a way - mostly because we both love words so much. But More...
Dec 21, 2011
Janet
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What do the ritual practices of Judaism have to offer people of other faiths in shaping and deepening their religious lives? Quite a bit, according to Lauren Winner, who was raised Jewish and converted to Christianity while in college.
Winner describes how maintaining ritual practices helps to center and support a life of faith, and she explores how practices she learned in the context of Judaism -- shabbat, keeping kosher (or being mindful of eating 'fitting food'), mourning, hospitali More...
Winner describes how maintaining ritual practices helps to center and support a life of faith, and she explores how practices she learned in the context of Judaism -- shabbat, keeping kosher (or being mindful of eating 'fitting food'), mourning, hospitali More...
