Typically Jewish

by Nancy Kalikow Maxwell

Is laughter essential to Jewish identity? Do Jews possess special radar for recognizing members of the tribe? Since Jews live longer and make love more often, why don’t more people join the tribe? “More deli than deity” writer Nancy Kalikow Maxwell poses many such questions in eight chapters—“Worrying,” “Kvelling,” “Dying,” “Noshing,” “Laughing,” “Detecting,” “Dwelling,” and “Joining”—exploring what it means to be “typically Jewish.” While unearthing answers from rabbis, researchers, and her assembled Jury on Jewishness (Jewish friends she roped into conversation), she—and we—make a variety of discoveries. For example:
  Jews worry about continuity, even though Rabbi Mordechai of Lechovitz prohibited even that: “All worrying is forbidden, except to worry that one is worried.”   Kvell-worthy fact: About 75 percent of American Jews give to charity versus 63 percent of Americans as a whole.   Since reciting Kaddish brought secular Jews to synagogue, the rabbis, aware of their captive audience, moved the prayer to the end of the service.   Who’s Jewish? About a quarter of Nobel Prize winners, an estimated 80 percent of comedians at one point, and the winner of Nazi Germany’s Most Perfect Aryan Child Contest.  
Readers will enjoy learning about how Jews feel, think, act, love, and live. They’ll also schmooze as they use the book’s “Typically Jewish, Atypically Fun” discussion guide.
 

Genres: Jewish, Judaism, Nonfiction

338 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 1, 2019

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are never-ending debates about what exactly makes someone Jewish. Is being Jewish an ethical, cultural, religious or racial designation? Actually, that’s not really the question Nancy Kalikow Maxwell is asking in her work “Typically Jewish” (The Jewish Publication Society). As she notes, what her book does is “investigate if Jews are essentially different and what it means to say we are Jewish.” However, her exploration is filled with humor, rather than statistics and sociological research. Her Jury on Jewishness – the friends who helped her answer her questions – serve as more of a sounding board than part of an objective study.
See the rest of my review at http://www.thereportergroup.org/Artic...

[Micheline Nushpa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What's the right thing to serve for your friends to "nosh" for brunch, lunch or dinner as they're "kvelling" over your latest "naches"? This informative, interesting, funny book has the answers. A excellent choice for book clubs including chapter by chapter discussion questions, activities and suggestions. Also a great book for someone wanting to learn more about Jewish lifestyle and culture (non-Jewish relatives or friends).

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has some good points about similarities between Jews but she also got some things pretty wrong. All and all it was an interesting read as long as you don't believe everything she says.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE Jewish TO EAT UP THIS DELICIOUS LAUGH OUT LOUD BOOK. The author has looked at all the things that Jews do...eat, grieve, celebrate, etc. really really enjoyed this book.