(Part 2) Best products from r/Jewish

Find a rabbi you are comfortable with, and don't be shy to meet with a few before moving forward.

I had met with two rabbis before choosing the one who made me feel the most comfortable with my decision. The first two I met with were orthodox, quite conservative and I didn't click with either and the process seemed a bit too intense for what my fiance and I were looking for. Then we came across a reform synagogue and we fell in love with the rabbi there and we're completing our first round of classes in a couple of weeks.

It's been a beautiful process so far and it's exciting! There are several books I too found good, some of them were provided with our classes as well:

• What is a Jew? by Morris Kertzer
  
• Living a Jewish Life by Anita Diamant
  
• Jewish Literacy by Joseph Telushkin
  
• Jewish Book of Why by Alfred Kolatch
  
  Best of luck in your research!

You know what??? In my experience, the most memorable moments in intimacy is when things are a bit awkward. Allowing yourself and her to be vulnerable is good. We are lucky, our faith is pretty sex positive so enjoy growing together. No pressure to focus on any one act, there is a whole body to explore.
Read ShirHaShirim in Ketuvim with her or get this book
http://www.amazon.com/Kosher-Sex-Recipe-Passion-Intimacy/dp/0385494661

There's obviously famous writers like Franz Kafka and Philip Roth, but of a more modern twist there is a new Israeli author more known for his short stories Etgar Keret. "The Bus Driver Who Wanted to Be God & Other Stories" was a really good read.

https://www.amazon.com/Bus-Driver-Wanted-Other-Stories/dp/159463324X

VIN rather selectively quoted the original Asahi article. Quoting from there:

>According to Ikuhiko Hata, an expert on modern history ... But there is a possibility that Japan interned civilians by their religious faiths in Indonesia. Because of that, he said, “Judging from the current historical materials, it cannot be said that isolation of Jews from other internees was a persecution of Jews.”

This is much more consistent with the pattern of action by the Imperial army when dealing with Western civilian populations in occupied areas of Asia.

From VIN:

>According to Utsumi, while she is certain that the camps existed, the reasons for them may have stemmed from the fact that persecution of Jews had extended by that time to Japan,

I'm actually going to have to write to Prof Utsumi and ask for proof on this as it contradicts absolutely every other known historical record regarding Jews resident in Japan or living in Japan by refugee status.

It seems odd to me that if Utsumi "possesses perhaps some of the most detailed knowledge Japanese policies towards Jews during wartime." that no one I spoke to in the Jewish community here in Tokyo knows who she is and I dont see her referenced in my copy of this comprehensive study.

Also from VIN:

>In her post-doctoral work in the department of Asian Studies at the University if Haifa, Klemperer-Markman writes that the reason for Jewish isolation, “was derived from several elements, including heavy German pressure on the Japanese government to impair the Jewish population,"

That italicized part is not in fact relevant here. Why? Upon receiving diplomatic cables from Germany on this subject, Tokyo's response to German was to tell them to mind their own business, that Japan would conduct its affairs as it pleased and some "you are not the boss of me" phrasings. This is well documented and not reasonably contestable.

EDIT: Some context: Asahi is definitely the paper of the Left in Japan and is openly sympathetic to China & Korea on any and all WWII issues. A bit of research indicates that Aiko Atsumi definitely has a political axe to grind and that by her published works this is definitely not her area of specialty.

What you currently have is an NIV Study Bible. I have one as well. The NIV translation is a popular, Protestant translation. It has some biases and inaccuracies, so it isn’t a translation used in scholarly circles. The NIV translation of the Old Testament is a translation of the Hebrew Masoretic Text, but it at times instead translates according to the Greek Septuagint, according to the Christian New Testament, or according to Protestant theology.

The central text in Judaism is the Tanakh. Tanakh is an acronym, it stands for Torah (Law), Neviim (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings); these are the three divisions of texts contained in the Tanakh. The Torah is the first five books of the Tanakh; Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Our source for our Tanakh is the Hebrew Masoretic Text. As such, the NIV Old Testament translation and a Jewish Tanakh translation are both translations of the same book: the Masoretic Text. The differences being that a Jewish Tanakh translation will be organized a little differently, some verse numbering will be different, and the translation will not be affected by Christian biases.

The most widely used Tanakh translation is the New JPS Tanakh (NJPS or 1985 JPS). You can read the NJPS Tanakh here. If you want a study bible version, I’d recommend Oxford University Press’ Jewish Study Bible which uses the NJPS translation.

My primary Qur’an is MAS Abdel Haleem’s translation.

I mean, the main books on Kabbalah are the Tanya, and the Zohar, but one isn't supposed to learn the Zohar until they are 40, and know the entire Torah. Tanya on the other hand is open for Everyone.
https://smile.amazon.com/Tanya-Likutei-Amarim-Revised-English/dp/0826604005/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1473773017&sr=8-1&keywords=tanya

If you can find it for cheap (I did on Book Outlet), this book is great: How to Run a Jewish Household.

https://www.amazon.ca/How-Run-Traditional-Jewish-Household/dp/0671602705

It looks like this except the middle part looks like either a candle holder or maybe for tooth picks or maybe to hold spoons

https://www.amazon.com/Crystal-Salt-Pepper-Shallow-Bowls/dp/B01N6V2AMW/ref=sr_1_52_sspa?keywords=salt+and+pepper+dish+crystal&qid=1563451353&s=gateway&sr=8-52-spons&psc=1

There's a book on the topic that I've been meaning to read: https://www.amazon.com/Empire-Their-Own-Invented-Hollywood/dp/0385265573/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=empire+of+their+own&qid=1568575461&s=gateway&sr=8-1

The short answer is that the entertainment industry has historically been open to people who are marginalized from other career paths. So disproportionate representation of minorities in the performing arts is something that you often see across cultures and throughout history.

https://www.amazon.com/Antifa-Anti-Fascist-Handbook-Mark-Bray/dp/1612197035

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Is a sort of history of Antifa, as least as the author sees it.

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I bought a copy so.... as if I'm not already on a list! I haven't studied it yet, though. And I'm not sure how the author's version of antifa squares with antifa groups going around, which seem to have extended things from not just being anti-fascist to wanting to eliminate borders completely. Like, huh?

I mean, exodus IS the bible, so beyond finding a version/translation you like I'm not sure what to suggest? Maybe check out the Harper Collins Study Bible. https://www.amazon.ca/HarperCollins-Study-Bible-Revised-Updated/dp/0061228400

I always found that Mesilat Yesharim comforted me in times where I was unsure of myself or the world around me, it gave me focus. I am weird so I'm sure this is not universal.

You can buy it on Amazon here: Link.

Twenty-Six Reasons Why Jews Don't Believe In Jesus https://www.amazon.com/dp/0977193705/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_SFU9ybAX79S38

Read this:
https://www.amazon.com/Permission-Believe-Rational-Approaches-Existence/dp/0944070558

There is a whole series

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https://www.amazon.com/Its-Mitzvah-Grover-Sesame-Street/dp/0761375635

Victorinox Swiss Stainless Steel 6 Piece Round 4.5 Inch Serrated Steak Knife Set with Green, Orange, Pink, Yellow, Red, and Blue Fibrox Handles https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PIT0YYA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_zRvxDbMKXVJ12

https://www.amazon.com/Jewish-Literacy-Revised-Ed-Important/dp/0061374989

Keep in mind though that the Jewish religion and culture is filled with an enormous range of beliefs. It is a culture that has always allowed interpretation and practically motivates one to question and argue with the texts. So her 'beliefs' will not be found in a book, but by talking with her and asking about her upbringing.