Len Cavise

The Gentile's Guide to the Jewish World Len Cavise

Been invited to a Bar Mitzvah? A Jewish wedding? A Passover Seder? Don't really know if a shiva at a Jewish house is like a wake? Should somebody who's not Jewish wear that skull cap in a synagogue? What should you wear? Are you tired of not knowing what all those Jewish words mean? Or are you just interested in what it means to be Jewish but you don't really want to make a whole study of it? It's high time to get comfortable with what it means to be Jewish and to finally understand all those great Jewish sayings that just say it the way no other language can. This is the book for you. The charm of the book is that it's written by a gentile (a nice Italian Catholic boy) who understands you and the problems you face in being introduced to Jewish life. It's written by a non-Jew who knows Jews so well, he can teach you everything you need to know, from the customs and habits to all the holidays and ceremonies to a short course in Jewish history. Whether you're about to marry somebody Jewish or you just want to not look silly when invited to a Jewish house, this is the book for you. Even if you're Jewish, it makes a nice present for someone dear to you who just needs to understand Jewish shtik. Speaking of which, the book includes a very useful and complete dictionary of Jewish words in everyday use that is positively hilarious.