Did Jew Know?: A Handy Primer on the Customs, Culture & Practice of the Chosen People

by Emily Stone

This handy primer on all things Jewish is filled with funny, surprising and informative facts about Jewish life, culture, and religious practice—all presented in an entertaining and witty voice and accompanied by bold illustrations that pack a graphic punch. Jews, lapsed Jews, and their spouses and friends will surely learn a thing or ten while devouring this addictively readable mix of practical information, fun facts and figures, and amusing trivia. Including information on key figures from Saul to Seinfeld, a lesson in proper Jew-fro care, and a basic guide to all those second-tier holidays no one ever celebrates, this engaging compendium is perfect for gifting or for simply learning more while being thoroughly entertained.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Religion, Humor, Jewish, Judaism

256 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2013

Reviews

[Eliza McNitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ll admit I don’t know much about the Jewish culture. Most of the things I know I learned from episodes of Curb Your Enthusiasm and riding on the subway and overhearing people. Then I picked up this book and Oy vey! What a rollicking ride. I learned a lot of things that Jews do but mostly it was things that Jews can’t do. Did you know that if an observant Jew touches a piece of cheese to a plate meant for meat, they must wash it in boiling water to purify it. If there is no boiling water, the plate can be buried in the dirt for one year then it’s okay to use again. I started to think that was strange until I thought to myself “Eliza, Jews think it’s super weird when you put bacon on a cheeseburger.” Now I find my daily conversations peppered with Yiddish phrases which in many cases are far more accurate than anything we have in English. Like when I want to say, “Oh no, I am worried about something but it seems that there is little or nothing I can do about it” I just say “Ish Kabibble!” So much more efficient. This is a quick and fun read so give it a chance. Okay, I need to go boil some cheese plates now--Haha just kidding.

[Melody · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rather irreverent look at all things Jewish. It was educational and informative but at times I felt it bordered on disrespect.

[Paulo Reimann]

love every single page

Easy writting, sometimes serious sometimes witty. Loved every little bit already missing it. History, customs, tradition...humour. All together in one easy going book. A must read.

[D. Thrush · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m part Jewish but, having been raised in a non-religious way, never knew much about the history or faith. The history of the Jewish people is a bit glossed over in favor of the history of traditions, terms, and the fascinating look into how certain professions were mastered due to being barred from owning land, attending colleges, and other social exclusions. The book is humorous, which makes it a much lighter read, but I never realized the enormous impact the Jews have had on the U.S. who welcomed them but with restrictions. From banking, to the entertainment industry, to comedy and TV, to ubiquitous street vendors in NY city. Pretty amazing for people who comprise only .02% of the world’s population. For anyone who wants a full history of this country, reading about the influence of the Jewish immigrants is eye opening. I also enjoyed the inclusion of Yiddish phrases. This book has made me understand my Jewish heritage better and appreciate it more. The Amazon book page shows the page count as 176 but it’s really over 300 pages.

[Karen greer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a joy to read. I’m part of this wonderful tribe and I read everything I can get my hands on. This book was both, very informative and lighthearted. I grew up in New York listening to my father and grandparents speak Yiddish so the grandchildren wouldn’t understand what was being said. Well, we were little sponges and picked up on the language. It was part of my world. Today my son asks me to say some words. He gets a kick out of it. I’m going to recommend he read this book to get a fuller understanding of who and he is and where he comes from.

Today I live in Arizona. The desert called me back. Unfortunately it’s not the same feeling as living in NewYork but with books like this it sure helps. The author did a wonderful job and I thank her.

[AF Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was not funny, and truthfully not even interesting.
While I love humor and have enjoyed it when people poke fun at themselves and community, I have no patience with vapid and facile jabs with not much intelligence behind it. What amounts to verbal pratfalls can grow stake rather quickly.

I usually feel an obligation to finish reading any book I start. After all, someone went to great effort to write it. In this case , didn’t seem like much effort was taken at all. So in the Kindle world, I trashed it. Life, I am learning, is too short to not enjoy ice cream for lunch sometimes, or to save a pretty nightie or blouse or dress for a special occasion, or to take the chance that I could die tonight and my last book was not at all enjoyable.

[Leeza Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Very Interesting and Thorough Study of the Jews

This book covered way more than I expected. I found it very engaging and informative, as well as well-written. The author kept it entertaining by using a bit of humor along the way. Emily Stone covers a long history of the Jews, Jewish culture, and religion, even covering Jewish influence in TV, music, literature, cuisine, and language. Her writing style made this a fun and easy book to read.

[Don Halasz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book and learned a lot about my religion. I did wonder why Emily Stone did not mention Jonathan Pollard when she was discussing the "Rosenberg" case and spying. I knew Jonathan Pollard when he was a kid (Jay), knew his sister Carol and both of his parents. Can't understand how Emily could not mention the case in her writing. I must say though, the book was entertaining and made me laugh out loud several times. Many thanks.

[Linda Appelbaum · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little book is written with such a great sense of humor that it had me smiling and laughing all the way through it. It's a perfect "bathroom" book. Yes it gives alot of facts hidden in the many little bits of hilarious information but it presents them in a really delightful way. Learn and laugh....a cute book!

[Terrie Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining and educational!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I bought it to understand some of the holidays with which my new daughter-in-law grew up, and got a while lot more for my mon....er....gelt. Recommending to everyone. So much fun!

[B E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Overview!

This book will tell both the lapsed jew and the curious uninitiated all they need to know (or have forgotten) about the Jewish religion with understandable explanations and humor. Look elsewhere if you're looking for a scholarly dissertation.

[Xavier Alexandre · Rating 3 out of 5]

A smorgasbord of Jewish religion, history, and culture. Can be quite witty at times. I skipped some of the most boring paragraphs.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading it. I have reread parts here and there. The description says it all.

[Hazel · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Emily · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this book rude. My intentions of purchasing this was to refresh my memory of Jewish practices. This book was insulting!

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh.

[Evan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny and informative. Now I understand my spouse and in-laws a little better.

[Bonnie Moses · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious for anyone with Jewish roots

Having a Jewish father and other relatives of that faith, I found this humorous, yet informative, as well as very entertaining.

[Kimberly Purcell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and funny, informative primer of Judaism.

[Don Goldberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots to learn. Lots to laugh

An entertaining way to learn a lot about Jewish history and culture. A valuable resource and excellent companion to “Judiasm for Dummies.”
A wonderful gift.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the funniest book I've read in a long time. You learn a lot about Jews and Judaism and have a great time doing it. Emily Stone is amazing! I bought copies of this book for all my Chanukah presents and EVERYONE loved it and bought it for their friends.