What do you think?
Rate this book
Be Like The Moon: A Chassidic Memoir
“A masterpiece!... I recommend this memoir to anyone looking for inspiration to make a difference in the world.” - Liliane Pari Umuhoza, Founder of the Women Genocide Survivors Retreat
A proud American blends memoir with a joyful cultural peek into his often misunderstood religious community. *ONLY this E-book version has the COLOR photos of a community often depicted in Black & White! Enjoy!
A young boy is cleaning a guinea pig hutch. Over the next two decades, he will go on to become a rabbi, psychiatric medical clinician, and officer in the United States Air Force. But right now, he’s about to turn around and face a small contingent of stern Hasidic elders. While certain he’d broken some sacred rule, what happened next is just one of many lessons that taught the rabbi that heroism comes in all shapes and sizes, and wisdom often confronts us when we least expect it.
For anyone curious about exploring Jewish culture, this heartwarming coming-of-age story is for you. Levi Welton, a shy Hasidic boy offers a compelling insider's view and a sense of humanity to what it was like growing up in the radical shtetl of Bezerkely, California while trying to unite the often-fraught nature of secular society with his Hasidic upbringing. This book offers a nuanced view into the day-to-day lives of religious Jews, yet it is also about the stories, moments and people who shape us all. With signature humor, kindness and wisdom, Rabbi Welton asks: what is important? What is valuable? What is heroism?
On his journey from self-doubt to self-acceptance, Levi collects invaluable lessons about faith, family, social activism, being proud of who you are, and seeing the good in everyone through an assortment of funny yet inspiring stories—from adopting stray animals while in the Boy Scouts, to learning life secrets from a hippie in the Wyoming wilds. Welton’s brilliant memoir-in-essays makes an invaluable contribution to the national conversation about race—in particular, the often neglected experiences of Hasidic Americans. Some readers will find a welcome spark of recognition; others will encounter a fresh perspective.
Along the way, you'll meet his childhood community of eccentric, colorful, and endearing role models and mentors. The essays in this collection portray the "superheroes" of Rabbi Welton's life-- his father, grandmother, the Rebbe and his mother-- leaving you to ponder your own hidden yet essential superheroes you've encountered along the way. It is for anyone who needs reminding that a heroic life can only be born from radical honesty and the courage to shed facades and be . . . you.
Be Like the Moon strengthens your faith in humanity by sharing wisdom that will speak to anyone, of any (or no) faith, who’s ever struggled with life’s weighty challenges. No subject is off-limits – addiction, depression, racism, and even a walk on the (atheistic) wild side! Yet running through all these is a powerful lesson—one about heroism:
You don't need superpowers to be a hero. You can change the world through the quiet impact you have on others by simply living your life.
It’s a transformative book, with insights on every page and an inspiring message of optimism, hope, and yes, heroism—minus the superpowers! It is the author’s hope is that these stories will inspire you to light up your own life with humble heroism and rediscover the spiritual superhero you were before the world put a label on you.
“Authenticity and love of one’s fellow man emanate from Levi Welton’s life and words. He calls for and exemplifies an integration of ‘distinct cultures fused together.’ This is a rabbi's call to personal greatness and one man’s honest and sincere reflection on the path of fully being both a Jew and a committed member of the human family.” - Rabbi Zalman Kastel, Founder of the non-profit Together For Humanity
A proud American blends memoir with a joyful cultural peek into his often misunderstood religious community. *ONLY this E-book version has the COLOR photos of a community often depicted in Black & White! Enjoy!
A young boy is cleaning a guinea pig hutch. Over the next two decades, he will go on to become a rabbi, psychiatric medical clinician, and officer in the United States Air Force. But right now, he’s about to turn around and face a small contingent of stern Hasidic elders. While certain he’d broken some sacred rule, what happened next is just one of many lessons that taught the rabbi that heroism comes in all shapes and sizes, and wisdom often confronts us when we least expect it.
For anyone curious about exploring Jewish culture, this heartwarming coming-of-age story is for you. Levi Welton, a shy Hasidic boy offers a compelling insider's view and a sense of humanity to what it was like growing up in the radical shtetl of Bezerkely, California while trying to unite the often-fraught nature of secular society with his Hasidic upbringing. This book offers a nuanced view into the day-to-day lives of religious Jews, yet it is also about the stories, moments and people who shape us all. With signature humor, kindness and wisdom, Rabbi Welton asks: what is important? What is valuable? What is heroism?
On his journey from self-doubt to self-acceptance, Levi collects invaluable lessons about faith, family, social activism, being proud of who you are, and seeing the good in everyone through an assortment of funny yet inspiring stories—from adopting stray animals while in the Boy Scouts, to learning life secrets from a hippie in the Wyoming wilds. Welton’s brilliant memoir-in-essays makes an invaluable contribution to the national conversation about race—in particular, the often neglected experiences of Hasidic Americans. Some readers will find a welcome spark of recognition; others will encounter a fresh perspective.
Along the way, you'll meet his childhood community of eccentric, colorful, and endearing role models and mentors. The essays in this collection portray the "superheroes" of Rabbi Welton's life-- his father, grandmother, the Rebbe and his mother-- leaving you to ponder your own hidden yet essential superheroes you've encountered along the way. It is for anyone who needs reminding that a heroic life can only be born from radical honesty and the courage to shed facades and be . . . you.
Be Like the Moon strengthens your faith in humanity by sharing wisdom that will speak to anyone, of any (or no) faith, who’s ever struggled with life’s weighty challenges. No subject is off-limits – addiction, depression, racism, and even a walk on the (atheistic) wild side! Yet running through all these is a powerful lesson—one about heroism:
You don't need superpowers to be a hero. You can change the world through the quiet impact you have on others by simply living your life.
It’s a transformative book, with insights on every page and an inspiring message of optimism, hope, and yes, heroism—minus the superpowers! It is the author’s hope is that these stories will inspire you to light up your own life with humble heroism and rediscover the spiritual superhero you were before the world put a label on you.
“Authenticity and love of one’s fellow man emanate from Levi Welton’s life and words. He calls for and exemplifies an integration of ‘distinct cultures fused together.’ This is a rabbi's call to personal greatness and one man’s honest and sincere reflection on the path of fully being both a Jew and a committed member of the human family.” - Rabbi Zalman Kastel, Founder of the non-profit Together For Humanity
294 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 29, 2022
About the author
Levi Welton
1 book10 followersRabbi Welton likes dressing up, whether it’s the long black coat of a Chassidic rabbi, the white coat of a medical clinician, or the official uniform of the United States Air Force. He is a California-raised cleric who has served communities in Australia, Canada, South Africa, and the United States.
He was a popular rabbi in the Hamptons and the spiritual leader of Lincoln Park Jewish Center. Rabbi Welton enjoys spending time with his family singing spiritual songs and encouraging the world to increase acts of goodness and kindness in order to bring Moshiach (a future of Universal Unity & Enlightenment).
He loves to hear from his readers so feel free to say hello via www.RABBIWELTON.com.
He was a popular rabbi in the Hamptons and the spiritual leader of Lincoln Park Jewish Center. Rabbi Welton enjoys spending time with his family singing spiritual songs and encouraging the world to increase acts of goodness and kindness in order to bring Moshiach (a future of Universal Unity & Enlightenment).
He loves to hear from his readers so feel free to say hello via www.RABBIWELTON.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Want to Read
July 17, 2022Be Like the Moon, by Levi Welton, is one of the most enjoyable books I've read in my lifetime. There are few books I have had the patience to read from cover to cover, but, not only did I finish the entire book within the span of 24 hours, I was thirsting for more!
Levi Welton, in this inspired memoir, recalls his upbringing by his Chassidic Jewish Father and Mother. In this book, you will step into the private space of Levi, now Rabbi Levi Welton's upbringing, and experience extremely powerful and positive moral and ethical lessons. You will experience his encounters with some of the great moral leaders of our generation.
For example, he recounts the time he had some pet guinea pigs and was cleaning their hutch before the onset of the holy Shabbat, when a Chassidic Rebbe, Rabbi Hershel Yolles, visited his home which was also the location of the Mikveh, the ritual bath in that part of California. Levi was embarrassed that he was covered in guinea pig feces in front of such an esteemed Rabbi, but the Rebbe laughed and said "Yingeleh (young child), Der Beshefer (The creator) made the world in six days and on the seventh day, He rested. Almighty G-d took care of all his animals before He entered Shabbos. You are doing the same... In this way, you are like 'the Holy One, blessed is He - a holy caretaker of the wonderful creatures in His beautiful garden."
And then there's the poignant story of a troubled man who came close to committing suicide, G-d forbid, and was saved by his observation of a family observing the Shabbat through their open window. And when the man decided to convert, he serendipitously chose, unbeknownst to him, the very Rabbi who he had observed through the open window to discuss converting to Judaism. And that Rabbi was one of Rabbi Levi Welton's greatest childhood influences, Rabbi Yehuda Ferris.
I won't be a spoiler and offer more in this short review about this important yet humble book. I highly recommend this book to anyone, from the age 10 to 100.
Levi Welton, in this inspired memoir, recalls his upbringing by his Chassidic Jewish Father and Mother. In this book, you will step into the private space of Levi, now Rabbi Levi Welton's upbringing, and experience extremely powerful and positive moral and ethical lessons. You will experience his encounters with some of the great moral leaders of our generation.
For example, he recounts the time he had some pet guinea pigs and was cleaning their hutch before the onset of the holy Shabbat, when a Chassidic Rebbe, Rabbi Hershel Yolles, visited his home which was also the location of the Mikveh, the ritual bath in that part of California. Levi was embarrassed that he was covered in guinea pig feces in front of such an esteemed Rabbi, but the Rebbe laughed and said "Yingeleh (young child), Der Beshefer (The creator) made the world in six days and on the seventh day, He rested. Almighty G-d took care of all his animals before He entered Shabbos. You are doing the same... In this way, you are like 'the Holy One, blessed is He - a holy caretaker of the wonderful creatures in His beautiful garden."
And then there's the poignant story of a troubled man who came close to committing suicide, G-d forbid, and was saved by his observation of a family observing the Shabbat through their open window. And when the man decided to convert, he serendipitously chose, unbeknownst to him, the very Rabbi who he had observed through the open window to discuss converting to Judaism. And that Rabbi was one of Rabbi Levi Welton's greatest childhood influences, Rabbi Yehuda Ferris.
I won't be a spoiler and offer more in this short review about this important yet humble book. I highly recommend this book to anyone, from the age 10 to 100.
Read
January 15, 2023They say you should never meet your heroes, but many are worth meeting in the essays you’re about to read. You’ll discover the Scoutmaster who showed me how to hold my head high even when I felt insecure, the Chinese Canadian who taught me the right way to shovel snow, the Mashpiim who comforted me about my masturbation addiction, and the Samborer Rebbe who simply made a little boy feel good about having pet guinea pigs.
You may have a different background or worldview than I do. You may disagree with some of the things I say in this book. But I’m not trying to convert or convince you to think like me. What I want is to share the childhood tales that shaped me as a Chassidic American. We all have our unique
stories, and our ability to share them makes us human. Furthermore, I believe that stories are the foundation of society more than any other force in the world.
As a child, I liked to “make-believe” and, at the end of this book, I hope I make you believe that heroes are hiding in plain sight all around us. Like Superman, you too can rip off your mortal mediocrity and surprise everyone with how high you can fly. I want you to see how the mild-mannered masks we manifest to society pale in comparison to the spiritual greatness that lies within each of us - in our soul, our deepest purpose. In this way, the proverbial bullets of evil will bounce right off your chest of spiritual resilience. And in those moments when all hope seems lost, I want you to show the world what it means to be super.
Real or imagined, I’ve always loved stories of superheroes. They inspired me and gave me strength. I hope these do the same for you.
You may have a different background or worldview than I do. You may disagree with some of the things I say in this book. But I’m not trying to convert or convince you to think like me. What I want is to share the childhood tales that shaped me as a Chassidic American. We all have our unique
stories, and our ability to share them makes us human. Furthermore, I believe that stories are the foundation of society more than any other force in the world.
As a child, I liked to “make-believe” and, at the end of this book, I hope I make you believe that heroes are hiding in plain sight all around us. Like Superman, you too can rip off your mortal mediocrity and surprise everyone with how high you can fly. I want you to see how the mild-mannered masks we manifest to society pale in comparison to the spiritual greatness that lies within each of us - in our soul, our deepest purpose. In this way, the proverbial bullets of evil will bounce right off your chest of spiritual resilience. And in those moments when all hope seems lost, I want you to show the world what it means to be super.
Real or imagined, I’ve always loved stories of superheroes. They inspired me and gave me strength. I hope these do the same for you.
December 11, 2022
I bought this book at an author event.
I enjoyed the vignettes, made all the more charming by having grown up in the same general area.
I enjoyed the vignettes, made all the more charming by having grown up in the same general area.
August 30, 2024
I like to read about people who have lived very different lives than me. this was interesting.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews