Danya RuttenbergRecensioni

4.25

About the author: quoting from the book's dust jacket, "Robbi Danya Ruttenberg is an award-winning author and writer who serves as scholar in residence at the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW). She was named by Newsweek as a "rabbi to watch" and a "Faith leader to watch" by the Center for American Progress. . .[She is] the author of seven books. . ." And has written for several publications. Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, said of this work: "A must-read for anyone navigating the work of justice and healing. Rabbi Ruttenberg weaves together stories and insights that prompt big questions for every person who aspires to build bridges and help shape a more just and inclusive nation and world." The book has extensive chapter notes and is well-indexed.

Updates Maimonedes with a good balance and breadth of anecdotes. Good scholarship on the Jewish vs Christian notions of repentance. Could probably have used some personal examples from the author to make it more relatable and less homeworky

I ordered this book to read on a plane because I enjoy her on Twitter. I enjoyed her book, too.

I’ve become a little obsessed with her twitter threads, so I thought I’d take a read her story. It was as fascinating as anything, and I was deeply, deeply moved. Not convinced, mind you—I’m still more than a little awed by the ability to give oneself over to faith, after years of trying and failing. As the spouse of a Jewish woman, and father of a Jewish child, I have such a better (if still incomplete) understanding of Jewish spirituality after reading this. As a recovering Presbyterian, it still seems so foreign to me, even as I recognized myself in the yearning she describes so clearly early early on, that I wonder how much is due to the Judaism she describes and how much is due to my childhood as one of the frozen chosen. I’ll be thinking about this one for a while yet, and likely pestering my wife with many, many questions/thoughts/observations. Highly recommended.

"Surprised by God" is an autobiography tracing Danya Ruttenberg's spiritual journey from rebellious atheistic young teenager to devout, observant, rabbinical student. The majority of the book is wonderful. Ruttenberg goes through things that anyone on a spiritual quest will go through, regardless of the religious path they are taking. Accordingly, she quotes spiritual masters from not only Judaism, but Christianiy, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and perhaps a few others as well. She offers beautiful insights into some pretty complex issues. Although a biography, it isn't a book for the average biography fan, as story line is distantly secondary to the religious thoughts and questions.

The one weakness in the book for me was several oddly incongruous episodes involving (to me) weird new age type experiences; seeing auras, feeling energy transfered through people's hands, etc. I suppose these things happened, and were a part of her journey. I suppose she felt obliged to include them. I suspect that for the average person on a journey into Judaism (or Christianity, or Islam, or Buddhism) that these experiences will seem just plain weird.

Really excited to read this! I've been following Danya Ruttenberg on Twitter for a while now. A wonderful voice for women and LGBT rights, and deeply insightful on Judaism. Can't wait to read her memoir.

Answers to key questions for young Jewish feminists