Jay Michaelson

A good book for Jews (and other seekers) needing to get out of their heads and be more present in the world. Michaelson's text, in engaging and clear prose, provides simple but effective techniques to bring mindfulness and gratitude into your daily acts, in ways that honor the body and its connection to the soul. And even though the book's grounded in Jewish tradition, Michaelson doesn't say "You must do X" but gives people permission to figure out what works best for them and even create new rituals if needed. The book did lose me in its more theoretical discussions of Kabbalah, but that doesn't detract from its more basic and important lessons.… (more)

A slim but passionate book designed to counter religious objections to same-sex equality. Michaelson is generally engaging, and couches his arguments in ways that are thoughtful and considerate of differing views but firmly defend the rights of the GLBT community. I just heard him talk at my shul, where he gave an excellent speech on meditation and Judaism, and have concluded that his book would be even better if his subject matter (like his d'var today) was more focused, but I understand the desire to counter all the anti-gay rationales out there. Fortunately the book does list other resources, including one of the books in my TBR pile, the updated version of Rabbi Steven Greenberg's "Wrestling with God and Men: Homosexuality in the Jewish Tradition."… (more)