The Rabbi & the Nuns: The Inside Story of a Rabbi's Therapeutic Work With the Sisters of St. Francis

by Abraham J. Twerski

The Rabbi and the Nuns: The Inside Story of a Rabbi's Therapeutic Work with the Sisters of St. Francis chronicles the highlights of a twenty-year working relationship between Rabbi Dr. Abraham J. Twerski and the nuns and priests of the Pittsburgh Diocese and St. Francis Hospital. Spearheading a groundbreaking rehab program, Rabbi Twerski and the nuns develop a working connection that transcends their religious differences, forges mutual respect, and brings them to a whole new level in ecumenical relations. Insightful, inspiring, and humorous at times, Rabbi Twerski's personal account is frank and engrossing. We are given a rare glimpse into the inner world of spiritual leaders as they grapple with their personal struggles to adjust to today's tumultuous times. Rabbi Dr. Abraham J. Twerski served for twenty years as the director of the department of psychiatry at St. Francis Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The author of more than sixty books, he has also been featured in hundreds of magazines and newspapers. Two of his books, When Do the Good Things Start? and Waking Up Just in Time, were written in collaboration with the late Charles Schulz, creator of the Peanuts comic strip. Rabbi Twerski is the scion of great Chassidic dynasties and traces his ancestry back to the Baal Shem Tov, founder of the Chassidic movement. He has lectured extensively on chemical dependency and other topics such as stress, self-esteem, and spirituality, and has traveled the world as a spokesperson for recovery on behalf of the millions who have achieved it, inspiring and encouraging those still finding their way.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Jewish, Judaism

190 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2013

About the author

Abraham Joshua Twerski (Hebrew: אֲבְרָהָם יְהוֹשֻׁע טווערסקי‎) was an Israeli-American Hasidic rabbi, a scion of the Chernobyl Hasidic dynasty, and a psychiatrist specializing in substance abuse.

Reviews

[Frum Books]

Behind the plethora of psychological and self-help teachings stands a captivating life story. An easy memoir narrowing in on the early days of Rabbi Twerski’s practice, we are given a personal view of his teachings and the path that took him from Rabbanus to psychiatry. With wry humor, he describes groundbreaking projects championing mental health in our community and navigating change with the nuns of St. Francis.

[The Jewish Book Council]

Reviewed by Danielle Mindess for the Jewish Book Council.