Amazon Ellenbrazer.com Category:  Religion Publisher: TCJ Publishing ISBN-10:  0692739947 Type: Non-Fiction Pages: 208 Copyright: 2016 ISBN-13: 9780692739945 Price: $7.99 (eBook) An introduction to Judaism told through the eyes and experience of the this award winning author. Summary for The Wondering Jew: My Journey into Judaism It all began with a promise: a promise I made to my father, a promise that led me on a journey into the heart and soul of Judaism. The result is this book, filled with intensely personal stories that helped me unlock some of the complicated teachings that make Judaism such a difficult religion to understand. The reader will learn, in a very unique way, the basics of the Jewish religion: Torah, Hebrew Bible, the holidays and the traditions. You will laugh, you will cry, you will question as you are challenged to contemplate the mysteries of Judaism: angels and reincarnation, reward and punishment, good and evil. I hope you will join me on this journey of discovery and wonder.     Excerpt THE DNA of JuDAISM Iwas a twice-a-year Jew: I attended synagogue on yom kippur and rosh Hashanah. Out of a strong feeling of obligation we always belonged to a synagogue, mostly Reform. Because I love the Jewish traditions that connect us to our heritage, my sons became Bar Mitzvah and my daughter became Bat Mitzvah. I became Bat Mitzvah at thirty-eight. Still, I was a Jew in name only until my husband and I traveled to Israel in 1985. The moment my feet first touched the ground of Eretz yisrael, something shifted inside of me. Over the following days, the people of Israel became my people—the survivors of the holocaust and all the others who had carved out a country from the swamps and the deserts, defeating all who dared challenge their right to exist. This was not about religion for me. It was about pride in my Jewish homeland and its people. That realization changed me dramatically and forever. By the time we returned to Miami, I was an ardent Zionist deter- mined to do whatever I could to insure that the State of Israel would remain forever secure. I committed myself to the Jewish Federation, joining every committee that would take me. -1 - ellen brazer At home, to honor the six million Jews who died in the holocaust, I insisted that we celebrate Shabbat. My teenagers were not allowed to go out on Friday night before we lit the candles and had a Shabbat dinner. I can still see their incredulous faces and remember their remarks: no big deal. This won’t last. It’s just one of Mom’s weird obsessions. They were partially wrong as we continued to have Shabbat dinners for a few years. And then they were right as well, the dinners just drifted out of our lives and I can’t remember how or why. Over the years, I have been involved and uninvolved in various aspects of Jewish life. One thing remained constant: my commitment to the State of Israel and her people. Yet, regardless of where I was in my journey, I never found solace in the prayers or within the walls of a synagogue. Part of the reason was my ignorance. I studied the history of the Jews but never the religion. One of the big reasons: I did not like all the rules attached to being Jewish! however, in recent years, certain life-changing events sent me on a journey of exploration, bringing me closer to Judaism than I ever imagined. I became “a wondering Jew.” Through the pages of this book, my intention is to describe what I discovered about Judaism through the camera of my life experiences. Let me add that throughout the book I will write the word G-d with a hyphen. The reason: Only when praying is G-d’s name fully written. After reflecting on the completed first draft of this book, I realized I did not accomplish my goals. Instead, I had avoided sharing my deep- est thoughts and feelings about my relationship with Judaism. I know this is due to my self-protective nature. I am more com- fortable being distanced from the here and now—expressing myself through the fictional characters in my books. In fact, that is the reason I write historical fiction: It allows me to keep a protective buffer over my personal life.

A Journey for all
5.0 out of 5 stars.
ByTerry Helleron July 31, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition
I feel like Ellen and I sat down together and had a wonderful conversation about our religion. She constantly interjects her teachings with her own commentary telling us to hang in there through the parts that are hard. The book is a wonderful introduction to the literature of Judaism told in a very personal way. People of all faiths will learn from this and come to know this wonderful woman. I am impressed by the depth of her knowledge and her inquisitive mind.

A Journey Worth Sharing
5.0 out of 5 starsA Journey Worth Sharing
ByBAGalenon October 28, 2016
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
Ellen Brazer has written an account of her journey into Judaism that is intelligent, scholarly and yet infinitely approachable. The personal and conversational tone of her writing is at once instructive and comforting. Ms. Brazer opens mindful gateways to the reader- holding us close to accompany her on her journey with ample room to explore ones own religious beliefs. Her voice is the most charming of teachers.

Learned so much
Learned So Much
Bylinhalpon October 16, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
As a young girl, I did not have a strong education in Judaism. I tend to be a cynic. In other words, if I don't see and understand it, I may reject it. . I have had many questions and The Wondering Jew helped to answer many of those questions. I shared it with my daughter and teen-age granddaughter who were about the celebrate the High Holidays with little knowledge of what they were truly celebrating. I thank Ellen Brazer for enlightening us.
The book was written in language that was informal with references and quotes that were relevant for me. I learned, I pondered, and there are still questions in my mind, but I hope to hear Ms Brazer speak at a Book & Author event to learn even more. I suggest that people who want to learn more about Jewish dogma and traditions, read this book.