Around Sarah's Table: Ten Hasidic Women Share Their Stories of Life, Faith, and Tradition

by Rivka Zakutinsky, Yaffa Leba Gottlieb

An insider's view of Hasidic Judaism visits with a group of ultra-Orthodox Brooklyn women who gather each Tuesday to discuss the weekly Torah readings, offering an illuminating look at the ways in which each woman's life is infused with and shaped by her religious faith. 20,000 first printing.

Genres: Jewish, Religion, Nonfiction, Judaism

256 pages, Hardcover

First published October 23, 2001

Reviews

[Chana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarah hosts and leads a weekly Parsha class in her home. In a way that relates to the Parsha of the week each woman's story is told. Example: Parshas Lech Lecha, Shaina's story is told. Each Parsha a different woman's story is told. This is how the book is organized and it works well.
The authors also explain quite a bit of basic Judaism incorporated into the stories in a way that enhances them rather than interrupts them.
I used to host a Parsha class in my home some years ago although it was taught by a Rabbi. Sarah's Table is idealized, at least compared to those groups I have belonged to, but not so much that it is unreal. What I mean by that is at Sarah's Table there is always an abundance of delicious home cooked food, the women all get along and seem close to each other, no one complains (well there is one token complainer at Sarah's table), takes the group off topic or expresses negativity. All the women have problems they are struggling with but everyone's attitude toward their problems is very pious. A lot of Chasidic women are like this, it is true, but this is an idealized version that leaves out the gossip, cliques, petty disagreements, complaints and other negative behaviors that are part of most women's groups and only the most determinedly pious are able to avoid.
I enjoyed reading it although it is a little boring. Learning Parsha is actually more exciting than is expressed in this book if you have a learned and passionate-about-Torah teacher. That is my personal preference though; to learn Parsha rather than to belong to a women's group.

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely insight into women's lives in a Hasidic community. The switches between dialogue and narrative seemed disjointed at times, but the women's stories were communicated faithfully and deeply.

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent reminder of how we contribute to each other's lives. Captivating and inspiring.

[Jennifer Heise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this introduction to American Hasidic women's life experiences, and their pursuit of spirituality as a group, since it is based on a Luncheon and Torah study group. The very diversity of women in the group-- a lawyer, a rebbetzin, a school principal, as well as younger women navigating the world of Hasidic matchmaking and marriage customs-- is engaging. Some of the women grew up in observant "Torah homes" and some didn't. Using these ladies' lives, the authors explore their experiences with the mikvah, with matchmaking, with childraising, with dark times, with charity, and with supporting each other. It definitely leaves you with a warm feeling and an understanding of why these women belong to and support their faith community and tradition.
I wish I had a Sarah in my life and my spiritual tradition too!
(Reading about the founding of Kar-Ben publishing added to my later experiences with their books, through the PJ Library.)

[Reba Linker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book, which cleverly weaves together the stories of ten different women who gather weekly around Sarah's table, for sustenance on every level, physical, emotional and spiritual. threaded through each woman's story is a connection to torah wisdom through the parshat hashavua - the weekly torah portion - that imbues their 'everyday lives' with 'deep universal wisdom.' A beautiful book, with a beautiful message, written with great heart!

[Arlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always been fascinated by the Orthodox branch of Judaism. After reading The Ladies Auxiliary by Tova Mirvis, I wanted to learn more about Orthodox Jewish women. This book was very enlightening as it follows ten very different women as they practice their faith. As a Christian, I learned more about my Jewish roots from reading this book.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked reading this book. Ten Hasidic women congragate at a discussion table every Tuesday. The book gave a glimpse of their lives. Thier problems seemed to dissolve too quickly after the meetings. I would have liked to hear and learn more of these women.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was not what I expected, it read more like a novel than non-fiction. It may be great for some readers in that regard, but I found it a disappointing style choice and couldn't finish the book.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book in you are jewish or have some knowledge of judaism, even if you don't it relates to all women about the meaning of friendship

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely

[Joanna Frank · Rating 2 out of 5]

Terribly boring after the first two chapters