40 Things You Can Do to Save the Jewish People

by Joel Lurie Grishaver

Some really practical ideas for parents who want to raise "good enough" Jewish kids to insure that the Jewish people will last at least another generationAn insightful book on Jewish parenting by a middle-aged divorced man without children, 40 Things is based on the many failures and few successes of the author's friends' attempts to be perfect Jewish parents. It is a practical book about improving the odds which asks: "How much can we get away with and still raise fully Jewish children who will in turn raise other Jewish children?"

Genres: Judaism, Parenting

Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Melvin Marsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

"40 things you can do to save the Jewish people" is an excellent book especially if you are a Jewish parent or teacher, other Jews would likely get something out of it as well but not as much as the first two groups.

This is an excellent list, often times funny, and gives great examples for how to compromise on what both parents and kids often want out of their Jewish life. For example, whether or not to continue Jewish education past bar/bat mitzvah.

I've already told a friend of mine who is both a Jewish parent and Jewish teacher (or was a Jewish teacher anyway) that she needs to track down this book. I may even buy a copy for her if she can't afford her own.