Tales Out of Shul: The Unorthodox Journal of an Orthodox Rabbi

by Emanuel Feldman

Provocative, funny, moving, revealing -- this remarkable book will make you laugh and cry (sometimes simultaneously) as it takes you behind the scenes of Jewish life’s most hectic, frustrating, and satisfying job. This riveting journal takes us on a vivid and unforgettable tour of forty years in one of the most successful careers in the American rabbinate, as Rabbi Emanuel Feldman, one of the best writers in the profession, records his achievements and defeats, his hopes and disappointments. We’ll meet some unforgettable characters, like the unique “shochet” of Atlanta; the Polish Catholic who hid a Jewish boy during the Holocaust; those who never fail to give charity and those who never do; the woman who never misses a funeral; saints and scoundrels; movers and meek; arrogant and humble, and many more. We’ll deal with the mystery of the missing mechitzah, attend a reception where the poor are the guests of honor, and devise Hebrew names for Butch and Nicholas. And we’ll enter the rabbi’s mind as he ponders if he is really accomplishing anything for Torah and Judaism in this world. Rabbi Emanuel Feldman, presently living in Jerusalem, is one of the most respected and distinguished figures in the American rabbinate. He led Atlanta’s Congregation Beth Jacob for almost forty years, from its infancy until its current position as one of America’s finest Torah institutions. Ordained by Baltimore’s Ner Israel, with degrees from John Hopkins and a doctorate from Emory University, he has taught at Jerusalem’s Ohr Somayach Yeshiva, at Bar Ilan University, and at Emory University. Editor-in-chief of Tradition magazine, he has authored four earlier books, including the widely acclaimed On Conversations on Being Jewish in Today’s World. He has written hundreds of articles in journals like The New Republic, Saturday Review, Judaism, and The Jerusalem Post.

Genres: Judaism, Jewish, Memoir

307 pages, Hardcover

First published November 20, 1996

Reviews

[Kressel Housman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the memoir of an Orthodox pulpit rabbi in that great era of American Jewish assimilation, the 1950's. It's an interesting read, though downright bitter in certain parts. The author certainly doesn't toot his own horn; if anything, he's mourning his lack of success. But I happen to know that his son took over the shul after him, and it's the biggest Orthodox shul in Atlanta today. I have no doubt that's due to the father's accomplishments as much as the son's.

So overall, it's a memorable book. The chapter called "Can This Sermon Be Deleted?" is pretty funny, and there's an excellent insight into Moshe and Aharon and their respective roles as leaders. But the chapter called "Goodbye, God, I'm Going Home Now," says it all. Kiruv can be pretty discouraging.

[Joel Barnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very insightful. It made me feel a lot of empathy towards the writer.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emanuel Feldman could only have written this book once he retired from the Atlanta Jewish community that he served for nearly 40 years. With insight, wit and fresh, clear writing, Rabbi Feldman chronicles his career as a 24-year-old orthodox rabbi who found himself as the spiritual leader of a congregation that had always been Reform-Conservative.

Trying to fight the creeping assimilation among his congregants, yet knowing he needed to respect where they were coming from, Feldman and his congregation grow together as a community. He doesn't always agree with them, nor they with him, but Feldman's success is tangible, with his congregation steadily growing into one of the largest and most vibrant orthodox communities in the U.S.
He's a strong writer, and this is not only an inspiring read, but also an entertaining one.

[Mordechai Housman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rabbi Feldman writes about his forty years as a rabbi in Atlanta, Georgia, raising up a congregation of a handful of unlearned and non-practicing (but committed to the synagogue and the community) Jewish families to hundreds of deeply committed and practicing Jews.

This is a fascinating book, with truly interesting stories, as well as important thoughts and principles of Judaism brought to the fore in meaningful and often moving ways.

Rabbi Feldman knows how to tell a story, and how to tell it well. This is well worth reading.

[Shari (Shira) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rabbi Feldman was the rabbi of the first orthodox shul in Atlanta for 40 years. This book emerged from his personal journals. It has stories that are funny, moving, insightful, informative and sad, too. Recommended reading for anyone who has an interest in Judaism.

[Barb · Rating 2 out of 5]

lots of excellent points, obviously an intelligent and wise leader. but mostly I found him to be petty and arrogant. I like his values but find his personality to be abrasive.