Tuesday, August 03, 2010

The Ladies' Auxiliary

The Ladies' Auxiliary is like Stargirl for Jews. Worth reading, vividly written and certain to make the outcast Jew feel at home.

Batsheva is a convert who joins the Memphis Orthodox Jewish community. Her emotionally heartfelt service of God is pure and honest, but the community prefers rigid strictures over true connection. In a clash of small-town scruples and a desire to uphold the way things were, tradition wins over innovation, exacting an iron price. But in Batsheva we find a heroine- someone pure and free, willing to look at the world and still open her eyes with wonder upon discovering its beauty.

4 comments:

tesyaa said...

I loved this book but my teenage daughters didn't.

rabbi neil fleischmann said...

I thought this book was OK. The best of these Jewish novels - IMHO - are the ones by Dara Horn.

Nomi said...

I loved this book- especially because I'm from Memphis! I loved seeing this on your blog!

Anonymous said...

Hey great post. Thought I'm not sure I agree with you 100%. Keep em coming. Are you interested in having anyone guest post opposing views?