"The Rebel and The Rabbi's Son" by Izzy Eichenstein
Los Angeles, CA, November 9, 2014 (Newswire.com) - A beautiful and heartfelt memoir! Leaving what is expected and acceptable and choosing to follow one's heart and dreams is never easy; dealing with the anger and rejection of family and friends that ensues is extremely difficult.
Izzy's journey away from his Jewish Orthodox roots takes so much courage and is an inspiration for everyone who dares to question the status quo and make life decisions that work for him/her rather than continue in a lifestyle dictated by others' rules and expectations. It is also teaches important lessons for every parent: Don't be judgmental; really listen to your children and encourage them to pursue their own interests; give love and support. Life is too short to stubbornly refuse to be open to new ideas.
"Exceptionally fascinating read! "The Rebel and The Rabbi's Son" Don't be judgmental: really listen to your children and find out who they really are!"
Frances Smith, Marketing
The Rebel and the Rabbi's son is an easy read with powerful messages http://rabbisson.com http://amzn.to/1hW9Xox
Exceptionally fascinating read! In a conversational tone the author reflects on a lifelong journey away from a Chicago 60's Ultra-orthodoxy to a Reform practice in California in the new millennium. What's so riveting is the full spectrum of Judaism he experienced through his long transformation and the inherent tensions in each and every step he took away from his illustrious "Eichenstein" Hasidic-elite reputation. His father looms large in the narrative, as well as his extended family, who continually pressure him to stay within the fold. The author repeatedly tries to accommodate them, live hius life for them but finds it to burdensome. In one instance he pulls all his three kids out of the Reform day school --reviled by his Ultra-orthodox family-- and enrolls them back into the Orthodox school that requires them to wear tzitzit and study Judaics most of the day.
His oldest son David balks, much as the author himself did in the Haredi New York camp in a similar age, which prompts him to return them to the Reform school. Izzy then promises NEVER to interfere in the path and proclivities of his kids again. Case in point, toward the end of the book, it is revealed that one of the kids does the unthinkable in Judaism... and Izzy goes along with it. Read to find out! Personally I very much identify with this book since I have undergone a similar haredi-to-mainstream transformation.
More importantly, the wisdom of age is edifying, and the fact that the author has no career ahead of him to strive for or connections to foster makes the message all the more genuine, unlike similar "autobiographies" by younger rebels in recent years, such as Leah Vincent's Cut Me Loose and Deborah Feldman's Unorthodox who are clearly making a great effort to prove themselves and are very conscious of their public image, which tends to degrade the quality of the message.