Who Stole My Religion? Revitalizing Judaism and Applying Jewish Values to Help Heal Our Imperiled Planet
From All-Creatures.org Book, CD and Video Review Guide

The intent of this book and video review guide is to help us to live according to Kingdom standards which bring Heaven to earth.

Author: Richard Schwartz, PhD
Reviewed by: Several reviews

 

who stole my religion
Who Stole My Religion? Revitalizing Judaism and Applying Jewish Values to Help Heal Our Imperiled Planet
By Richard Schwartz, PhD
Available on Amazon

Review:

The many endorsements below are included to show that it is not just the author himself, but many other people also – including Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and Reconstructionist Jews, as well as Christians, and Muslims – who think their religion has been “stolen” by right-wing politics, but who still believe that compassionate religious values have relevance to current crises. It is hoped that the voices of the people who submitted the statements below, as well as many more voices, will be raised to help revitalize Judaism and other religions and to apply religious values effectively in response to the many threats to humanity today.

Professor Alon Tal, Ben Gurion University of the Negev; Chairman of “The Green Movement” (Israel’s Green Party); author of Pollution in the Promised Land and many other books and articles on environmental issues in Israel:

“For many years now, Richard Schwartz has been a clear, unwavering voice for a more compassionate, more humane and holier Judaism. Who Stole My Religion? offers Jews and non-Jews alike a critique of many of the unhappy trends in the Jewish world today and an authentic and inspirational view of what traditional Judaism is and should be.”

Rabbi Arthur Waskow, director, The Shalom Center; author, Down-to-Earth Judaism, Seasons of Our Joy, and many other works on Jewish thought and action:

“No one has been more creative, committed, and consistent than Richard Schwartz in arguing for a Judaism that can address in all its depth the world crisis that all humanity and all the life-forms of our planet face today.”

Rabbi Gerald Serotta, Founder, Rabbis for Human Rights, North America and Executive Director, Clergy Beyond Borders:

“The challenging title of this welcome new book by Prof. Richard Schwartz, one of the most insightful commentators on Jewish scriptural interpretation, says a great deal about his struggle to reclaim Judaism in the 21st century from those who would narrow its scope to ethnocentrism and self-interest. Schwartz is a major protagonist in the battle to present the humanitarian insights and universal truths that have been part of the Jewish tradition, from its earliest holy texts to the present day.”

Rabbi Barry Silver, Rabbi of Congregation L’Dor Va-Dor in Lake Worth, Florida, Former Florida State Representative, Founder and co-Chairman of the Palm Beach County Environmental Coalition

“I commend Dr. Schwartz for his courage and integrity in reminding the Jewish community of its historic mission to serve as a light unto the nations. While it is always safer to tell people what they want to hear, I am thrilled that at least one person has the guts to challenge our people to live up to the highest ideals of the prophets by acting as responsible stewards of our planet, fighting to protect those who need our help, and practicing kindness to animals. His book Who Stole My Religion? will serve as a lightning rod to stimulate critically needed discussion about what it means to be Jewish and how we can live an ethically Jewish life.” 

Rabbi Michael M. Cohen, Director of Development, Friends of the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies:

“Once again Richard Schwartz has produced a thought provoking book. Who Stole My Religion? will be a very positive addition to our libraries. His writing is powerful and thought provoking. As always, Richard is not afraid to challenge us.”
 

Pauline Dubkin Yearwood, Managing Editor, Chicago Jewish News:

“As a Jewish animal rights activist, I have always considered Richard Schwartz to be a mentor and someone I admire tremendously. His new book only corroborates that opinion as it passionately and persuasively goes beyond even the most important 21st-century concerns into the heart of Judaism itself. Every Jew and non-Jew who is concerned with the future of our planet should read Who Stole My Religion?

Lewis Regenstein, 40 year veteran of the animal protection movement and author of Replenish the Earth: The Teachings of the World’s Religions on Protecting Animals and Nature:

“Provocative! Magisterial! Titanic! Richard Schwartz is the most knowledgeable person alive on the teachings of Judaism on protecting animals and nature. His writings are brilliant, and his books are always valuable and worth reading and discussing. I say this as a conservative, even a right-winger, who strongly disagrees with Richard’s devotion to liberal tenets. But when he discusses the fate of our planet and the many environmental issues that threaten human civilization, and the responsibility of Jews to take action, there is no one better.”

Karima Vargas Bushnell, co-author of Cultural Detective Islam (tm) and teacher of Intercultural Communication at Metropolitan State University. She helps others explore the borderlands between different religions and cultures, has a particular interest in cross-cultural mysticism, and now guides a small Sufi circle, the Nur Ashki Jerrahi Circle of Ishq:

“In this time of ubiquitous polarization and demonization of “the other,” Who Stole My Religion? makes a cogent, compelling call for Jews to turn from unquestioning acceptance of particular cultural and political positions back to core religious values of wisdom, compassion, and self-examination. No nation or religion is automatically good; frequent comparison of values with behaviors is a huge part of what makes good people, good nations and good religions. Professor Schwartz weaves a readable and interesting tapestry of current and historical facts, scriptural citations, study findings, authoritative quotes and heartfelt common sense, all in the cause of finding the best course for Jews, for peace, and for the world. Highly recommended.”
 

— Aaron Gross, Ph.D., Founder and CEO of Farm Forward and Assistant Professor of Jewish Studies at the University of San Diego:

“Schwartz offers a vision of traditional Judaism alight with love for humanity and respect for creation — a love and respect embodied as much in daily observance of halachah as in pragmatic actions to heal a wounded world. Even more, Schwartz's insights hold the potential to heal a deep rift in Judaism: he shows us that the elements of Orthodoxy that have dismissed urgent issues of social justice, like the problem of global warming, do not speak for all traditional Jews, much less traditional Judaism. For all persons who love Jewish law no less than Judaism's radical call to justice, Schwartz doesn't just ask 'Who Stole My Religion?' he shows a path to reclaim it.”

Robert Cohen, NotMilk.com:

Who Stole My Religion

About the Author:

Richard H. Schwartz, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus, College of Staten Island Author of Judaism and Vegetarianism, Judaism and Global Survival, Mathematics and Global Survival, and Who Stole My Religion? Revitalizing Judaism and Applying Jewish Values to Help Heal Our Imperiled Planet, and 200 articles at JewishVeg.com/schwartz' President Emeritus, Jewish Vegetarians of North America; President, Society Of Ethical and Religious Vegetarians (SERV).


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