Why Be Jewish?

A Testament

By: Edgar Bronfman

Narrated by: Rick Zieff

Edgar M. Bronfman's clarion call to a generation of secular, disaffected, and unaffiliated Jews, this book addresses the most critical question confronting Judaism worldwide.

Completed in December 2013, just weeks before he passed away, Why Be Jewish? expresses Edgar Bronfman's awe, respect, and deep love for his faith and heritage. Bronfman walks readers through the major tenets and ideas in Jewish life, fleshing out their meaning and offering proof texts from the Jewish tradition gleaned over his many years of study with some of the greatest teachers in the Jewish world.

With honesty, poignancy, and passion, Bronfman shares in Why Be Jewish? insights gleaned from his own personal journey and makes a compelling case for the meaning and transcendence of a secular Judaism that is still steeped in deep moral values, authentic Jewish texts, and a focus on deed over creed or dogma.

Critic reviews

"This book had me nodding my head and taking notes in the margin from the very first page. Edgar Bronfman . . . rightly points out that Judaism can be a powerful way to access the feeling of wonder about the universe, even for the most secular of us."—A. J. Jacobs

"This book is Edgar Bronfman's parting gift to his people-his legendary devotion in a new form. As he was with his deeds, so he is with his words: a prince of Jewish commitment."—Leon Wieseltier

"This book is a must-have for anyone compelled to more deeply understand and love being Jewish."
—Mayim Bialik

"Edgar Bronfman's book gives voice to so many of us who feels outside of the normal religious constructs but love Judaism. While I wish I had met him in person, this book made me feel like I was having a lifelong conversation with this very wise man."—Tiffany Shlain, filmmaker

"This moving and powerful testament demonstrates how much Judaism, with its intertwined concepts of freedom and responsibility, has to offer the thinking modern person in search of life's purpose. Read, and choose to stand at Sinai."—Dara Horn, author of A Guide for the Perplexed

"I was blown away by the beauty of this book and whole-heartedly recommend it."—Bruce Feiler, New York Times bestselling author of Walking the Bible and Abraham

Excellent Description of Modern Judaism

The author explains why Judaism survived as long as it did, and why it is important to maintain a Jewish identity. The essence of this writing is that all of us need to realize that "God" is the ideal that we must strive to be like, and "Godliness" is our mission on Earth. Jewish writings, Biblical or Modern, tell us that compassion and serving others, striving to leave the world a better place for others, is the true message of being a Jew.

Godless author!!!! An atheistic Salesman.

If you are interested in a book that will deepen your understanding of G-d, or Judaism, this is NOT IT… The author tries to sell the reader on the idea that you don’t have to believe in G-d in order to be a Jew. And the fallusy that Judaism at its core has nothing to do with the belief in G-d.
I seriously regret wasting my money on this.
The narrator Rick Zieff is quite good though.