The Jewish Way to a Good Life. Find Happiness, Build Community, and Embrace Lovingkindness by Rabbi Shira Stutman; The Experiment; (c) 2025; ISBN 9798893-030174; 240 pages; $21.34.
By Robin Dishman
SAN DIEGO — I am not familiar with Chutzpod on which Rabbi Shira Stutman is the cohost. I am sure her contribution to this pod cast is invaluable.
In reading Rabbi Stutman’s book I felt that I was attending a lecture. The content rang absolutely true; however, the lecturer was unable to capture my attention. It is challenging to make insights and information engaging that have been communicated in the past.
The book is divided into meaningful chapters covering such subjects as chesed, acts of lovingkindness; money, sex and love, and mourning. Each concept is elucidated by biblical texts and midrash.
I liked her approach to taking action. That the world is not too broken for an individual to make a difference. Rabbi Stutman’s insight into difficult times and situations is comforting and poignant.
Rabbi Stutman’s writing style is one I would expect to find in a thesis. This reader did not find this book engaging although the content was definitely worth a read.
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Robin Dishman is a freelance writer based in San Diego.
It’s disappointing when you have hopes for a book to be interesting, and it does not live up to what you expected.