Recommended Reading: Learn More About Judaism

Are you curious about Judaism? Are you thinking of choosing Judaism? Here are some excellent resources to explore on your journey. Don't forget to check out Intro to Judaism classes offered by the Union for Reform Judaism and Reform Jewish congregations, too! 

Books

• Living a Jewish Life by Anita Diamant: This book opens the door to Jewish tradition and offers a modern look at creating a Jewish home, the cycle of the Jewish year, life cycle celebrations, and more.
   
• Here All Along: Finding Meaning, Spirituality, and a Deeper Connection to Life — in Judaism by Sarah Hurwitz: This book offers a welcoming exploration of Jewish belief, practice, and God for seekers and skeptics alike. Hurwitz skillfully blends memoir with accessible explanations of core Jewish ideas.
   
• Lights in the Forest: Rabbis Respond to Twelve Essential Jewish Questions edited by Rabbi Paul Citrin: This anthology of essays presents a range of Jewish responses to both theological and philosophical questions pertaining to God, humanity, and the Jewish people.
   
• My Jewish Year: 18 Holidays, One Wondering Jew by Abigail Pogrebin: This collection of Pogrebin’s personal reflections on the Jewish holidays through the lens of curiosity and lived experience also includes brief insights from rabbis and Jewish thinkers.
   
• Choosing a Jewish Life, Revised and Updated: A Handbook for People Converting to Judaism and for Their Family and Friends by Anita Diamant: Whether you are just beginning to consider converting or have already started down the path to Judaism, this comprehensive book offers everything you need to know to make the process joyous, sacred, and meaningful.
   
• The Sabbath by Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel: A brief yet influential meditation on Shabbat as sacred time rather than sacred space. Heschel presents Judaism as a tradition that locates holiness in time, inviting rest, presence, and spiritual renewal through the rhythm of the seventh day.
     
• Thinking About God: Jewish Views by Rabbi Kari Tuling: An overview of diverse Jewish approaches to understanding God across history that introduces classical and modern perspectives with clarity and nuance.
   
• Navigating the Journey: The Essential Guide to the Jewish Life Cycle, edited by Rabbi Peter S. Knobel, PhD: This book is an introduction to the Jewish lifecycle, including birth, Jewish education, b'nei miztvah, the Jewish home, marriage, divorce, conversion, death, and mourning. 
   
• Mishkan Moeid: A Guide to the Jewish Seasons, edited by Rabbi Peter S. Knobel, PhD: A survey of the sacred days of the Jewish yearly cycle, including detailed guidance on observing Shabbat and the Jewish holidays with historical background, essays, and extensive notes.
   
• The Amen Effect: Ancient Wisdom to Mend Our Broken Hearts and World by Rabbi Sharon Brous: This book draws on Jewish tradition to explore how presence, affirmation, and community can counter isolation and despair. Brous also offers spiritual tools for connection and repair. 
   
• On Repentance & Repair: Making Amends in an Unapologetic World by Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg: A contemporary guide to t’shuvah rooted in Jewish ethics that examines accountability, harm, and repair at both personal and societal levels.

Additional Reading

• Weekly Torah commentaries: Each Monday, ReformJudaism.org publishes a new Torah commentary through our Ten Minutes of Torah email series. Read them online each week, or subscribe, which delivers these commentaries to your inbox on Monday mornings.
   
• Jewish Sacred Texts: Learn about the sacred texts of Judaism and the role they play in Jewish spirituality and culture. 

Multimedia

• BimBam: BimBam uses digital storytelling to spark connections to Judaism for learners of all ages.
   
• Stories We Tell: Judaism has a deep and rich tradition of storytelling, of passing down stories from one generation to the next. Dive into the backlog of this podcast to carry on that tradition.
     
• Wholly Jewish: Jews of diverse backgrounds share their experiences, insights, and how their identities enrich and create a more vibrant Jewish community. There are two seasons of this podcast. Season one features interviews with Jews of Color, while season two focuses on the stories of LGBTQIA+ Jews.
   
• On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah: Each week, Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, offers insights into the weekly Torah portion to help open up Jewish thought and its contemporary influence on your life. Though this podcast is not currently producing new episodes, its existing episodes remain prescient.
   
• Judaism Unbound (podcast): Explorations of 21st century Jewish life, identity, and innovation.
   
• Being Jewish with Jonah Platt (podcast): Intimate conversations exploring identity, culture, and belonging in today’s Jewish world. 
   
• For additional Jewish learning and engagement, follow ReformJudaism.org on Facebook and Instagram.

Find a Judaism class near you (or online).