Jewish Book Club discussion

We are looking for nominations of up to seven books in the category of success story: books about real people, whether memoirs, biographies, autobiographies, or a fictionalized story based on a real person.
No Holocaust books this time, please.

Originally I was thinking of "rags to riches," but since I didn't want us to look only at those who started out destitute, or only at those who achieved wealth, "success story" seems more accurate.

That said, if your nomination is regarding somebody who got rich, that's okay too. We won't be cynical about success or automatically judge it to be at the expense of somebody else!

Let's take nominations until we have seven or until Sunday December 22, whichever comes first. One per person, please, and not a list, but if you do give us a list we'll consider the first to be your nomination. Then we'll vet for availability and for whether the book is already on our group bookshelf.

[Nominations by the author or other interested party not accepted]

Once we have our nominations, we'll set up a poll.

I've run out of steam for giving examples, so let's see what you come up with!

My mind immediately went to Barbra Streisand’s book, My name is Barbra !

Séverine wrote: "My mind immediately went to Barbra Streisand’s book, My name is Barbra !"

Nomination No. 1 My Name Is Barbra

Thanks, Séverine. It's widely available and in various formats. The hardback is available used. In libraries. I've read it's good! (And, if it should win, we'll have it for two months due to those many pages!)

If I don't respond right away, please keep the nominations coming anyway! Thanks. 🙂

Thank you, Séverine. I prefer nonfiction so I’m looking forward to these nominations.

And I might have a different definition of success than Jan, and I’m sure we all have a slightly unique take on it. Was a person’s life successful? Or fulfilling? It doesn’t necessarily mean rich. I’m really intrigued by the books you come up with.

An example of a possibly quirky definition of success might be Mimi Zieman's Tap Dancing on Everest. Unfortunately it's new this year and not cheap. Not in my library either..

Measure of a Man by Martin Greenfield

I nominateFrom Meidelach to Matriarchs ~ A Journal: Jewish Women of Yesteryear to Inspire your Today. One hundred bio/snippets and accompanying questions or prompts. All inspiring, diverse economic status, ethnicities, political views, and religious observance.

Jan wrote: "An example of a possibly quirky definition of success might be Mimi Zieman's Tap Dancing on Everest. Unfortunately it's new this year and not cheap. Not in my library either.."

That is great book, btw. Its in my library.

Brina wrote: "And I might have a different definition of success than Jan, and I’m sure we all have a slightly unique take on it. Was a person’s life successful? Or fulfilling? It doesn’t necessarily mean rich. ..."

How does one "measure success". Character, legacy, role model
and philanthropist. Wealth in dollars means nothing to me if one is greedy and mean spirited. :(

Bert, Measure of a Man is widely available at libraries in all forms as well as used book sites. Jan did note no Holocaust this time around just to give us something different. Before we say ok, do you know what percent of the book is Holocaust related? If it’s a lot, do you have another book in mind?

Just the very beginning is Holocaust related. My book club doesn’t read holocaust books and they all loved this. Just thought I would throw it out there!

Judy, From Meidelach to Matriarchs is not available at my library and mine usually has everything. It also is not on thrift or Abe books. Do you have another book in mind?

Bert wrote: "Measure of a Man by Martin Greenfield"

Nomination No. 2: Measure of a Man: From Auschwitz Survivor to Presidents' Tailor

Well, it begins as a Holocaust story for three years but then the rest, until he died earlier this year at 95 is an immigrant success story, so I'm inclined to say okay, unless my fellow moderators jump on me. It's not in my library but available used over the internet for cheap. 2013; paperback 2016 and is on Kindle too. (Use the subtitle when searching since there are others by the same title.)

P.S. I already wrote comment No. 15 & didn't see the other comments til just now. 😅

Brina wrote: "Judy, From Meidelach to Matriarchs is not available at my library and mine usually has everything. It also is not on thrift or Abe books. Do you have another book in mind?"

Thanks, Brina. Was just looking up....

To Judy: what Brina said. :)

Jan, Stacey swayed my opinion. Besides I’m a nerd when it comes to reading about presidents.

Hi!!

My proposal is
The Sunflower: On the Possibilities and Limits of Forgiveness
By Simon Wiesenthal

While imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp, Simon Wiesenthal was taken one day from his work detail to the bedside of a dying member of the SS. Haunted by the crimes in which he had participated, the soldier wanted to confess to–and obtain absolution from–a Jew. Faced with the choice between compassion and justice, silence and truth, Wiesenthal said nothing. But even years after the way had ended, he wondered: Had he done the right thing? What would you have done in his place?

In this important book, fifty-three distinguished men and women respond to Wiesenthal’s questions. They are theologians, political leaders, writers, jurists, psychiatrists, human rights activists, Holocaust survivors, and victims of attempted genocides in Bosnia, Cambodia, China and Tibet. Their responses, as varied as their experiences of the world, remind us that Wiesenthal’s questions are not limited to events of the past.

Alessandra wrote: "Hi!!

My proposal is
The Sunflower: On the Possibilities and Limits of Forgiveness
By Simon Wiesenthal

While imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp, Simon Wiesenthal was taken one day from his w..."

Hi Allesandre,
Thank you so much for nominating this month. This book is a great factual book. Weisenthal turned around and walked out of the room. Many discussions about that.
From what I remember, this book was already selected and read by this group a few years ago. I believe it to be more Holocaust than not, and for this nomination though very important, the choice was made not to accept Hol. themed books as it says in the nomination description for February. We will have a month for that subject. But...
In the meantime, please, please choose another book. We will hold your spot!!

Stacey, I checked. The group read Sunflower in Sept 2022. We have had some great nominations so far but just another reminder to not select Holocaust themed books this time as interesting as they may be.

Brina wrote: "Stacey, I checked. The group read Sunflower in Sept 2022. We have had some great nominations so far but just another reminder to not select Holocaust themed books this time as interesting as they m..."

Thanks Brina- My memory is good. Sometimes a curse. :)

Mel Brooks: The Disobedient Jew by Jeremy Dauber

It’s a part of series Jewish Lives by Yale University Press. The series itself is worth nominating.

Kerry wrote: "Mel Brooks: The Disobedient Jew by Jeremy Dauber

It’s a part of series Jewish Lives by Yale University Press. The series itself is worth nominating."

Thank you Kerry. Looks good so far. We need to vett - give us a a little time.

‘Kasher in the Rye: The True Tale of a White Boy from Oakland Who Became a Drug Addict, Criminal, Mental Patient, and Then Turned 16’ by Moshe Kasher
This book fits the chosen topic perfectly. Please check the availability. Very fascinating story.

Stacey B wrote: "Kerry wrote: "Mel Brooks: The Disobedient Jew by Jeremy Dauber

It’s a part of series Jewish Lives by Yale University Press. The series itself is worth nominating."

Thank you Kerry. Looks good so ..."

Kerry,
I tried to vett the book. This is a first for me- but so far Im not seeing this in paperback format. Only kindle, hardcover and audio.
Seriously, Im surprised. Im guessing if Amazon isnt showing it, it doesnt exist. We always make sure there is a pb format of all books as we are sensitive to our observant members.
Please be thinking of another choice for spot #3

Rmplanet wrote: "‘Kasher in the Rye: The True Tale of a White Boy from Oakland Who Became a Drug Addict, Criminal, Mental Patient, and Then Turned 16’ by Moshe Kasher
This book fits the chosen topic perfectly. Plea..."

OK RmPlanet,
Going to vett now with longest title Ive seen in awhile. :)

Stacey B wrote: "Rmplanet wrote: "‘Kasher in the Rye: The True Tale of a White Boy from Oakland Who Became a Drug Addict, Criminal, Mental Patient, and Then Turned 16’ by Moshe Kasher
This book fits the chosen topi..."

Stacey B wrote: "Rmplanet wrote: "‘Kasher in the Rye: The True Tale of a White Boy from Oakland Who Became a Drug Addict, Criminal, Mental Patient, and Then Turned 16’ by Moshe Kasher
This book fits the chosen topi..."

RmPlanet- Question for you.
Is this a jewish themed memoir? Not seeing it in book synopsis.

This is tough. We are getting new member nominations which is so great, but we feel terrible having to say no. Ugh!

Stacey B wrote: "Stacey B wrote: "Rmplanet wrote: "‘Kasher in the Rye: The True Tale of a White Boy from Oakland Who Became a Drug Addict, Criminal, Mental Patient, and Then Turned 16’ by Moshe Kasher
This book fit..."

Going to check some reviews.

Stacey B wrote: "Jan wrote: "An example of a possibly quirky definition of success might be Mimi Zieman's Tap Dancing on Everest. Unfortunately it's new this year and not cheap. Not in my library ei..."

I absolutely LOVE this book!!!

Yes, Kasher in the Rye has a lot of Jewish theme in it. The author is Jewish, His parents are Jewish, his father is observant.

Stacey B wrote: "Stacey B wrote: "Stacey B wrote: "Rmplanet wrote: "‘Kasher in the Rye: The True Tale of a White Boy from Oakland Who Became a Drug Addict, Criminal, Mental Patient, and Then Turned 16’ by Moshe Kas..."

Yes- found a few. Seems Kasher grew up as a Haredi jew and speaks to that.

Kindle
$11.99
Audio
$17.
Paperback
$15.37
Other Used and New from $2.27
Abes Books has many new and new-ish paperbacks with a variety of prices.

Kerry wrote: "Mel Brooks: The Disobedient Jew by Jeremy Dauber

It’s a part of series Jewish Lives by Yale University Press. The series itself is worth nominating."

Nomination No. 3 is Mel Brooks: Disobedient Jew

The issue that had been taking a while is availability. Maybe being part of the Yale series drives up the price, while at the same time not a lot were printed. I've run into that before both with that other similar series, Jewish Encounters. Anyway, Mel Brooks is not in my library although may be in areas with a denser Jewish population. However, between Amazon marketplace and AbeBooks, there a few of them in the $11 range and quite a number at around $15 (including postage). Kindle at $13. Voters will need to consider whether that price will work for them.

Rmplanet wrote: "Yes, Kasher in the Rye has a lot of Jewish theme in it. The author is Jewish, His parents are Jewish, his father is observant."

Nomination No. 4 is Kasher in the Rye: The True Tale of a White Boy from Oakland Who Became a Drug Addict, Criminal, Mental Patient, and Then Turned 16

What a cute title!
Thanks, Rmplanet
Amazon Marketplace has some in the $10 range and AbeBooks has quite a few at less than $7 (since Amazon seems to always tack on that $3.99 shipping -- and yet I think Amazon owns AbeBooks!)
Kindle is $11.99.
I didn't think my library would have it, but they do!

Stacey B wrote: "Stacey B wrote: "Kerry wrote: "Mel Brooks: The Disobedient Jew by Jeremy Dauber

It’s a part of series Jewish Lives by Yale University Press. The series itself is worth nominating."

Thank you Kerr..."

Kerry,
It seems Jans eyesight is better than mine. She found paperback copies where I did not. So happy she found them- I saw MB interviewed, and while he is certainly funny, he loves his Judaism. Good call. I wanted to read this one.

Kerry wrote: "Mel Brooks: The Disobedient Jew by Jeremy Dauber

It’s a part of series Jewish Lives by Yale University Press. The series itself is worth nominating."

Hi again Kerry,
As you can see from below comments, I was looking in the wrong place. I honestly had no clue it wouldn't be sold as a paperback outside the series. I feel badly.

Liza wrote: "Stacey B wrote: "Jan wrote: "An example of a possibly quirky definition of success might be Mimi Zieman's Tap Dancing on Everest. Unfortunately it's new this year and not cheap. Not..."

Liza, is this a nomination or comment? :)

Stacey B wrote: "Liza wrote: "Stacey B wrote: "Jan wrote: "An example of a possibly quirky definition of success might be Mimi Zieman's Tap Dancing on Everest. Unfortunately it's new this year and n..."

Hi Stacey, Yes, it is a nomination. Tap Dancing on Everest is exceptional and receiving tremendous acclaim. I'm seeing it mentioned on many of my Facebook book groups as one of their top reads for 2024. It is also a finalist for the Zibby Awards.

Stacey B wrote: "Stacey B wrote: "Kerry wrote: "Mel Brooks: The Disobedient Jew by Jeremy Dauber

It’s a part of series Jewish Lives by Yale University Press. The series itself is worth nominating."

Thank you Kerr..."

We could discuss the format with the publisher and see if they can provide a version that will be paperback or pdf. I have paperback versions of some of the books in the series, but making a pdf of a book file is pretty easy for a publisher to do.

Here is information from Yale University Press about the format:
https://yalebooks.yale.edu/ebook-info...

Also a list of the books in the series. There are paperback versions available of some titles.
https://yalebooks.yale.edu/search-res...

Kerry wrote: "Here is information from Yale University Press about the format:
https://yalebooks.yale.edu/ebook-info...

Also a list of the books in the series. There are paperback versions available of som..."

Thank you for the good idea with the publisher and also the information. Im sorry I couldnt find the paperback.
following it.

Liza wrote: "Stacey B wrote: "Liza wrote: "Stacey B wrote: "Jan wrote: "An example of a possibly quirky definition of success might be Mimi Zieman's Tap Dancing on Everest. Unfortunately it's ne..."

Liza,
We need to vett this.

Stacey B wrote: "Liza wrote: "Stacey B wrote: "Liza wrote: "Stacey B wrote: "Jan wrote: "An example of a possibly quirky definition of success might be Mimi Zieman's Tap Dancing on Everest. Unfortun..."

Stacey B wrote: "Liza wrote: "Stacey B wrote: "Liza wrote: "Stacey B wrote: "Jan wrote: "An example of a possibly quirky definition of success might be Mimi Zieman's Tap Dancing on Everest. Unfortun..."

Gm Liza.
Your nomination was a good one. I read it on Kindle and loved it as well.
I/we do not love rejecting any members nomination; But..
This is a new book that it isn't in many libraries yet. There was one library who only had two copies on hold by 20 people.
We have to be fair when it comes to those who use the library and there has to be a paperback format as well.
In the meantime, members can request their libraries to get this one or any book.
Hopefully in a few months time, Tap Dancing on Everest" will be stocked with a good amount in more libraries, especially as a finalist for the Zibby Award.
Im sure we will have another opportunity for this book to come back through the loop.
Our salary as moderators is in need of a raise.

Brina’s library: ebook and audio only, no physical copy.

Kerry wrote: "Here is information from Yale University Press about the format:
https://yalebooks.yale.edu/ebook-info...

Also a list of the books in the series. There are paperback versions available of som..."

Hey, Kerry, Mel Brooks: Disobedient Jew is our "Nomination No. 3." See above; right now it's in comment box 33, above. Thanks so much for the nomination.

Re Tap Dancing on Everest, it's a popular new book. As Stacey says, paperback is $21.34 from Amazon, if you have Amazon Prime. There are some used versions out there, but popular new books aren't usually available with much of a discount, so you will notice that, with the added shipping, the total is going to be only slightly less than Amazon's price for new, if that. Some libraries may have it but likely to be in locales with a significant Jewish population.

Here are our nominations so far:
1. My Name Is Barbra by Barbra Streisand
2. Measure of a Man: From Auschwitz Survivor to Presidents' Tailor by Martin Greenfield
3. Mel Brooks: Disobedient Jew by Jeremy Dauber
4. Kasher in the Rye: The True Tale of a White Boy from Oakland Who Became a Drug Addict, Criminal, Mental Patient, and Then Turned 16 by Moshe Kasher

Still looking for a few more. ☺️

My nomination is The Jump Artist by Austin Ratner, a fictional biography of Philippe Halsman.

I'd would have liked to nominate Vidal: The Autobiography by Vidal Sassoon but I think it's now too obscure.

Kerry, I checked Vidal: The Autobiography. It is not as obscure as you think. It’s available at my library and Thrift Books and Abe Books for under $10. If you would rather nominate that so all of our nominations are nonfiction, I will ok it.

Stacey B wrote: "Alessandra wrote: "Hi!!

My proposal is
The Sunflower: On the Possibilities and Limits of Forgiveness
By Simon Wiesenthal

While imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp, Simon Wiesenthal was taken..."

Thenm may I propose:

Hand to Mouth: A Chronicle of Early Failure
by Paul Auster

?

Let me know,
bye
Ale