February 2024 MBR The Judaic Studies Shelf

The Judaic Studies Shelf

From Time to Time: Journeys in the Jewish Calendar
Rabbi Dalia Marx
CCAR Press
www.ccarpress.org
9780881236132, $32.95, HCJ, 400pp

https://www.amazon.com/Time-Journeys-Jewish-Calendar/dp/0881236136

Synopsis: Time is fundamental to the human experience, and in Judaism it is=
 even more, because to the Jewish people, time is sanctified. Understanding=
 the Jewish calendar is thus essential for fully comprehending Judaism.

With the publication of "From Time to Time: Journeys in the Jewish Calendar=
" from CCAR Press, Rabbi Dalia Marx, PhD, presents a fascinating exploratio=
n of the treasures of the Jewish year. This coffee-table style large format=
 volume artfully blends traditional and contemporary perspectives on each H=
ebrew month and its holidays.

Rabbi Marx's insights are paired with striking illustrations; each month al=
so features a diverse selection of poetry, prayers, and songs and takes a d=
istinctively Israeli, feminist, and progressive approach to the meaning of =
time within Judaism.

Critique: Informatively enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of a six=
 page Glossary, a two page Diagram of the Hebrew Calendar Year, and twelve =
pages of Sources, Permissions, and Notes, "From Time to Time: Journeys in t=
he Jewish Calendar" is especially and unreservedly recommended for family, =
synagogue, community, and college/university library Judaic Studies collect=
ions and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for the =
personal reading lists of students, academia, members of the Jewish communi=
ty, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that=
 "From Time to Time: Journeys in the Jewish Calendar" is also available in =
a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).

Editorial Note: Rabbi Dalia Marx (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalia_Marx)=
 is Professor of Liturgy and Midrash at Hebrew Union College-JIR in Jerusal=
em. She received her rabbinic ordination at HUC-JIR (Jerusalem and Cincinna=
ti) in 2003 and earned her PhD at the Hebrew University in 2005.

Loaves of Torah: Exploring the Jewish Year through Challah
Rabbi Vanessa M. Harper
CCAR Press
www.ccarpress.org
9780881233797, $31.95, HC, 360pp (Ages 10 and up)

https://www.amazon.com/Loaves-Torah-Exploring-through-Challah/dp/088123379X

Synopsis: Challah is a special bread of Ashkenazi Jewish origin, usually br=
aided and typically eaten on ceremonial occasions such as Shabbat and major=
 Jewish holidays (other than Passover). Ritually acceptable challah is made=
 of dough from which a small portion has been set aside as an offering. Cha=
llah may also refer to the dough offering. The word is biblical in origin, =
meaning "loaf".

Braided and spiral loaves of Challah have long been a delicious centerpiece=
 of the Jewish table, but with a few extra twists, the beloved Shabbat brea=
d can become a work of art that teaches Torah. With the publication of "Loa=
ves of Torah: Exploring the Jewish Year through Challah", Rabbi Vanessa M. =
Harper (creator of the hit Instagram account @lechlechallah) shapes interpr=
etive challot for each weekly Torah portion and Jewish holiday.

A creative journey through the Jewish year, "Loaves of Torah" pairs gorgeou=
s color photographs with insightful commentary, in-depth questions for refl=
ection and discussion, as well as beautiful kavanot. Rabbi Harper also incl=
udes blessings, recipes, and tips for creating your own interpretive challo=
t.

A fresh, contemporary commentary on our holiest text, "Loaves of Torah" wil=
l inspire you to think outside the braid and take Torah into your own hands=
.

Critique: Inherently fascinating, impressively informative, as well as thor=
oughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "Loaves of Torah=
: Exploring the Jewish Year through Challah" is especially and unreservedly=
 recommended for family, community, synagogue, and academic libraries Judai=
c Studies collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "=
Loaves of Torah" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle=
, $9.99) as well.

Editorial Note: Rabbi Vanessa M. Harper (https://www.ccarpress.org/content.=
asp?tid=3D622), is passionate about shaping creative, joyful, and meaningfu=
l Jewish learning and living experiences for people of all ages. She curren=
tly serves as Assistant Rabbi at Temple Beth Elohim in Wellesley, MA, and R=
eform Rabbi-in-Residence at Gann Academy. Rabbi Harper was ordained in 2021=
 by the Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion in New York, wh=
ere she also received a Master's in Hebrew Literature and numerous awards f=
or academic achievement. In 2017, she created @lechlechallah - an Instagram=
-based education project using challah as an artistic medium for interpreti=
ng and teaching Torah and the Jewish calendar -- which evolved into kinetic=
 midrash classes that she taught all over the country.

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