Why Be Jewish?

Clearly-at times beautifully-written, Why Be Jewish? does not claim to be a rigorous theological analysis or a detailed guide to Jewish practice. Instead it is ``a personal portrait of faith for those who are searching,'' written for Jews who wish to know more about Judaism, for non-Jews who may be thinking of marrying a Jew or for those who are simply curious. Wolpe, who teaches at the University of Judaism in Los Angeles, uses Judaism as a grounding point for a general spiritual quest. He emphasizes that Jews are bound together throughout history by their belief in one God, their resilience and their great gifts to culture. Judaism, he says, as ``a religion of joy and affirmation in spite of the sufferings of the Jewish people,'' honors all features of being human, stresses the importance of deeds as a sign of faith and rejoices in the personal, deep involvement of God. (Oct.)