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Aug 28, 2008

Carie rated it:

I really enjoyed this book. About a convert to Orthodox Judaism who moves with her daughter to a small Orthodox community in Memphis after her husband dies. She tries to fit in.

As an LDS reader, I found it fascinating. Lots of interesting questions: How often are we like the Mrs. Levys in this novel? Are we so stuck in our customs that we forget about our religion? How can we raise our children when the world lives so differently than we do?

0 comments like (7 people liked it)

Jun 03, 2008

Jana rated it:

The Ladies Auxiliary is essentially the Jewish version of Relief Society, complete with all the gossip, the cleaning fetishes and the casseroles. It's at once hilarious and heartbreaking. Narrated (brilliantly) in the first person PLURAL, it underscores the insider/outsider mentality. The main character is an artist from New York who moves into an Orthodox Jewish community in Memphis. It echoes in many ways my experience moving to Utah, this artist from California, and frequently feeling like a More...

0 comments like (9 people liked it)

May 31, 2008

Vanessa rated it:

This novel is set in an Orthodox Jewish neighborhood in Memphis, Tennessee. The story begins when a single mother moves into the neighborhood in hopes of starting a new life after the passing of her husband. She is a convert to Judaism, but as a fellow Orthodox Jew, she is confident that she will be welcomed to the community. Things begin to unravel from there.

This book is written in first person plural voice, which is unusual, but you get used to it very quickly. It is as if " More...

1 comment like (4 people liked it)

Apr 15, 2009

Kristine rated it:

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here

12 comments like (3 people liked it)

Dec 14, 2008

Ann rated it:

I loved this book. I think it was because I could relate to so much of the story. Small communities are like that, hiding problems and protecting the status quo at all cost. What I love best about Oakland is that we celebrate diversity and seem to thrive on uncovering dirt to discuss.

And I loved the references to Jewish tradition. Although I was raised in a Reform congregation, my grandparents were very much a part of that Orthodoxy. And we all stuck together, supporting each other, More...

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Apr 21, 2009

Kelly rated it:

I had a hard time getting into this book and never really did. The Ladies Auxiliary were just a bunch of gossiping busybodies. They drove me crazy with how judgmental they were. There group reminded me of an LDS ward were everyone knows your business. I did like how it raised the question of do we practice our religious beliefs out of tradition or because we truly want to draw closer to God.

I wish I could be at book club to discuss the book with you gals.

4 comments like (2 people liked it)

Jun 17, 2008

Patty rated it:

This book surprised me how it sucked me in. The characters were so complex and well-developed. I especially liked how the author dealt with prejudices within a close-knit religious community. She treats the topic with sensitivity, but a certain amount of irony and sarcasm. Reading this book helped me take a look at my own hypocrisies and prejudices, especially those that masquerade as religion. Mirvis really brings home the idea that being religious for appearance's sake can be soul-deadeni More...

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Dec 10, 2008

Emily added it

For the most part I found The Ladies Auxiliary an enjoyable read. I found it a good balance to some of Chaim Potok’s books, since Ladies is from the Orthodox Jewish female perspective and not the male. Potok always makes reference to the observed holidays, but rarely goes into detail about the specifics of celebration. Mirvis’ not only organized her novel around the Jewish calendar but creates characters whose lives revolve around preparing for them. From that structure and explanation I learned More...

1 comment like (2 people liked it)

Jun 13, 2007

Danielle rated it:

While reading a fun story about a close-knit community of women, I learned something about Orthodox Judaism. Neat.

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Feb 09, 2011

Shauna rated it:

This was such a good book. Even though this deals wiht a Jewish community. It really can apply to any community that is not very tolerant of others. I am Morman, but did not grow up in a Morman household. Living in Utah is not very easy for those who are not of the Morman faith. I did not find my faith until college, so like Batsheva, I chose this and was not raised with this. There were many characters in this book who remind me of the people I now live around. I know what it is like to More...

2 comments like (1 person liked it)

Mar 30, 2010

Robyn rated it:

I so wanted to like this book more than I did. I was expecting light-hearted sisterhood stuff, but, instead, I got so upset every time I sat down to read it. It made me so mad and even furious at times! A great example of religion taken to the realm of zealot and the ugly nature of women involved in everyone elses business but their own. A good lesson in beam and mote ideology. This isn't just a Jewish problem tho, I see it in my own religion. Especially living here in Utah. Anyway, I jus More...

0 comments like

Jun 20, 2008

Erin rated it:

I have to admit that I liked this book a lot more than I expected to on first glance. I am completely guilty of judging books by their covers...and I really wasn't attracted to this cover at all. It's a little funny considering that it's the story of a community who is quick to judge a new member who is not like them.

What I really enjoyed about this book was that it was told from the perspective of the community. That alone gave this book an incredibly unique voice.

I f More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Jan 18, 2009

Cheryl rated it:

I simultaneously loved and hated this book through a lot of it, and here is why. AS a person preparing to convert to Judaism, I strongly identified with the protagonist, her enthusiasm for Judaism, her outsiderhood and her search for acceptance within a close-knit Jewish community. I strongly identified with this "convert out-Jews the Jews" phenomenon - the difference between people who follow conventions because it's "what they've always done" and people who choose to foll More...

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Nov 23, 2008

Angela rated it:

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here

0 comments like

Sep 24, 2011

Nathalie rated it:

"Happy Shabbos, y'all!"---this phrase hooked me from the first! Like many others, I had no idea there really is a small close-knit very active Jewish community in Memphis, Tenn.! The book opens with free-spirited Batsheva who moves to Memphis with her young daughter, Ayala. She converted to Judaism, became an Orthodox Jew in New York. She married Benjamin who is from Memphis and after his death, wanting to provide for Ayala the Jewish community life and grounding she never had and also More...

2 comments like

Aug 30, 2011

Scarlett.speaks rated it:

This book was really good. I was a little put off by the cover and the summary, I was expecting a kindof Jewish Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood. But it wasn't. Batsheva (the main character) moves into this Orthodox Jewish community with her little girl and it's equal parts fish-out-of-water story and coming-of-age. Though, Batsheva's already come of age, so it's like the coming-of-age for the community. The struggle in the novel was mostly this very traditional community coming to terms w More...

0 comments like

May 23, 2011

Michelle rated it:

The white lies and gossiping were too much at the start. I wondered, "Are some women really like that?" I also didn't like that it seemed like no one lived the religion out of true conviction, out of trying to be closer to God. It seemed so wrong that people were judging the main character for her conviction. But I guess there had to be some kind of conflict, right?

I feel like I could relate to a lot of Jewishness as a practicing Mormon, but one thing I didn't understand was More...

0 comments like

Aug 12, 2010

Vania rated it:

A widowed ger moves to a remote, small, close-knit, friendly American Southern religious Jewish community with her 5-year-old daughter following her Jewish husband's death. She turns the town that welcomed her upside down as she seduces a Rabbinical Yeshiva student 13 years her junior, makes him abandon traditional Judaism and cut ties with his parents and little brother, and basically threatens every marriage in the community with her open sexuality and liberal opinions. Eventually the women More...

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Jan 27, 2010

Jen rated it:

I really enjoyed learning more about Orthodox Jewish customs and traditions. I don't know enough about other religions and this book made me appreciate it, particularly how incredibly hard it would be to live kosher. Also, I love a clean house. My new favorite thing: clean the bathroom with a blacklight. I scrub with toothbrushes etc. I could not believe the measure they take to clean their houses for their holidays- coat pockets, inside of books, etc. WOW. It was exhausting just reading about a More...

2 comments like

Jun 08, 2009

Kim rated it:

This was an interesting book. Although it is set in a small town Jewish community I think it is a book any girl can relate to. When I was a young girl I always thought that there might be a magical age that I would turn when I would suddenly know everything and also suddenly be able to set my immaturity behind and stop complaining about things, stop wining about how life isn't fair, stop comparing myself to others, and become a responsible adult. Now that I am a "little" older I know t More...

0 comments like

Jan 24, 2012

Linda rated it:

I read some reviews and thought that I would enjoy reading this book. However, after getting part way into it, I realized I had already read it years ago. Too funny. So I must have enjoyed reading it to be compelled to read it again.

I did like reading this a second time. It points out that we, as women, are often too quick to find fault and criticize too often, those people and things that we don't understand. People and situations that are not in our comfort zone seem to threaten u More...

0 comments like

Nov 06, 2009

Rachael rated it:

I really, really liked this thoughtful novel. It's about orthodox Jews in Memphis, dealing with their rebellious teenager daughters and a single-mom that moves into their neighborhood. I am not sure that everyone would agree with me, but I felt like Mirvis did a beautiful job of portraying their religious convictions in a positive light. She brings up important questions - how to raise children in a strict religion, finding the right balance between limits and encouraging personal conversion More...

4 comments like

Mar 24, 2009

Teri rated it:

It's like Stargirl only longer. . . and more Jewish.

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Sep 23, 2009

Amerydbaker rated it:

This definitely was a good discussion book. I did not get really envolved in the story until about 200 pages in. The story invites you into a small and tight knit Orthodox community. Many pages are spent relating the Jewish culture, holidays, and rituals.

In and of itself the story is minimal. The characters, however, and how they interact with each other is paramount. The book created alot of reflection upon how we treat each other and how we treat and re-act to our children. More...

0 comments like

Sep 22, 2009

Danielle rated it:

I have to say I was surprised that I liked this book as much as I did. Everyone I had talked to about it wasn't a big fan infact many of them didn't even finish the book. But I picked it up and was transported into the Memphis Jewish community. I don't know if I connected to this book because we too have just made a big move this summer or if it is because I have always been fasinated with the Jewish culture, but I really enjoyed reading it.

I grew up in a small town and underst More...

0 comments like

Aug 08, 2011

Becky rated it:

I wanted to like this book. I picked it out, hoping to learn more about modern Orthodox Jews. The author knows her stuff because this is her background. I did learn a little about Jewish food, rituals and customs. There is nothing objectionable with the story itself--no swearing, sex scenes, etc. I just couldn't finish reading because of the awkward writing style. The author uses a generic "we" to represent the Ladies' Auxiliary. The sentences were long and complicated, and the More...

1 comment like

Nov 28, 2010

Christy rated it:

A great book club selection, if you want to talk about cultural divisiveness and inclusion, and if you want to delve into Jewish customs and traditions. There’s always a new holiday coming up! I’d almost want to be Jewish, just to get in on all the food and dancing! The plot is a little strange, however. The heroine, a convert to Judaism and terminally clueless, moves into a close-knit Jewish community in Memphis (no kidding!) and tries to fit in by doing what? Encouraging their daughters More...

0 comments like

Feb 09, 2012

Heather rated it:

Thank God it's over. Seriously.

Not that I didn't find anything redeeming or at all interesting in it - I did. And it certainly served as a good jumping point for discussion in our book club (most members are also LDS members). But I got all I needed to know in about the first 30 pages. Nothing ever really changed. No one really stopped being super annoying. The problems that were there from the start will still there at the end.

I don't like reading about fundame More...

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Oct 31, 2010

Adrianne rated it:

This book left me thinking. Am I open to change? Am I open, welcoming, and friendly to someone who thinks differently than I do? Do I see the beam in my own eye (see Matthew 7:3)? How do I worship? Do I just go through the motions? Or do I connect with God? How can I be the mother my children need? How can I love them not matter what they choose even when it might break my heart?

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Sep 12, 2011

Emily rated it:

Or maybe 4 stars...hard to decide. The story is set in a close-knit orthodox Jewish community in Nashville (yes, really! Orthodox Jews saying y'all). Things get shaken up when a new woman, a convert, moves in. What was a bit awkward was the way it was written in the first person plural. That helped emphasize the fact that Batsheva, the convert, was an outsider, and I imagine that's why the author chose to do it. It was "we" and "she". But sometimes I really just wanted More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)