Library Notes
by Lorraine Blatt, Librarian
The book shows us how to be our best selves even when things do not turn out as we had planned or hoped. It is a book of spiritual wisdom as practical as it is inspiring. Kushner uses the life of Moses as our example and draws insights from his journey through life. The book speaks of how Moses kept his faith and strength even while dealing with a disgruntled people over his 40 years of leading them to a new beginning after their flight from Egypt.
Moses met his disappointments with remarkable resilience. The book demonstrates to us how to find faith in ourselves and in the future. We learn how to respond to heartbreak with understanding rather than with bitterness and despair.
Kushner wants his readers to take inventory, learn from their experiences, and move on with an open heart. Moses, Kushner’s example, is the greatest hero of the Jewish people, leading the Israelites from slavery in Egypt through the desert to the point when the people received the Torah. Moses had to continually deal with the ingratitude and complaints of his people, and relegate his personal life to a distant second place.
Using vignettes of Moses’ resilience throughout his discussion, Kushner advises readers that when personal difficulties arise — from illness, marital problems, job frustrations, and other troubles — they should not allow their faith and dreams to die. Rather, they should draw upon hope and forgiveness to become stronger, channeling their love and fear toward a dream that incorporates the best of who they are. Kushner does not shy away from difficult issues and awkward dilemmas. Kushner’s years of rabbinical experience dealing with the troubles of his congregants make him well suited to offer advice.
The book is very readable and incorporates the concept that “Life is tough; let’s be strong enough not to be broken by it.” If you have ever been disappointed or did not know how you could continue forward, this book offers the idea that you can move on and arrive at a positive place, even if it is a different place than you had hoped. We can do change and can make the decision to move on with our life and find new goals, hopes, and dreams. Do not give up – Moses never did. Disappointment builds characterl it is not a sign that you are not perfect or that life is terribly unfair. We can find new ways of coping and turn the negatives we experience into new directions. Broken dreams can, if we let them, lead us to new ones. Remember who you are working for, substitute new dreams for old, keep promises, be humble, maintain life’s priorities, forgive and forgive and always dare to dream.
Sale Book Cart: Books for Bucks
Check out the Books for Bucks book cart in the Sha’are Shalom lobby. We are selling used paperback and hardcover books as a continuing fundraiser for the synagogue. Paperbacks are 50 cents and hardbacks $1. Put your cash or check in the container on the cart.
Donations to Books for Bucks will become the property of the Congregation. Please donate books only in good condition and in quantities of fewer than 25. Leave your name, phone, email, and the date of your donation in a note with any books you donate.
Contact Lorraine Blatt at 242lorraine@gmail.com or 772-359-7370.
Please remember to leave a note with your name when dropping off books at the library. Thanks!