Thirteen letters from Jonathan Sarna to his daughter form the heart of this warm, tender book, letters that examine the central themes of Judaism in relation to the Jewish holiday cycle. Many holidays not generally written about, such as Holocaust Remembrance Day, Israel Independence Day, and Tu be-Av, a holiday that celebrates love and marriage, get full attention here. The book particularly addresses topics of interest to young people, including assimilation, interfaith marriage, social justice, the environment, and happiness.
An experienced author and history professor at Brandeis University, Sarna sees Judaism as both a way of life and a way to experience family, history, the world. He offers a multiplicity of viewpoints as he speaks to young Jews, but his refreshing ideas will resonate with Jews of all ages. His words do not evoke one particular movement over another, and will be welcomed by all who want to better understand the Jewish view of major themes in contemporary life.
Reminiscent of an ethical will, in which a Jew leaves as a legacy the ideas that mean the most to him or her, the book was inspired by Sarna’s daughter as she became a young adult, and each chapter begins, “Dear Leah...” and ends, “Love, Abba.” Index, notes, suggestions for further reading.
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