Humans of Judaism

Schreiber debuts with a cheery and unique collection of “positive and uplifting Jewish stories” inspired by her Instagram account of the same name. Running the gamut from ordinary to famous, the 200 sections spotlight such artists, athletes, scientists, celebrities, and actors as Mattel cofounder Ruth Handler, who invented Barbie dolls; comedian Jerry Seinfeld (who’s said that “the greatest Jewish tradition is to laugh”); and lesser known figures like Sam Salz, the Texas A&M wide receiver who’s thought to be the only Orthodox Jew to play NCAA Division 1 college football. Also featured prominently are Jews who escaped the Holocaust and found new lives in Israel or America, several with the help of “incredible people who jeopardized their own lives to do the right thing.” Schreiber leaves some stones unturned—Bess Myerson is celebrated as the first, and only, Jewish Miss America, but no reference is made to the highly public corruption scandal that caused her to resign from her post as New York City commissioner of cultural affairs in 1987—though the book’s general conceit, that Jews have turned “our pain into perseverance... providing some light in the darkness,” makes for an uplifting message during a moment of rising antisemitism. The result is an upbeat celebration of the diversity of Jewish life around the world. (Oct.)