Typically Jewish

January 15, 2019
A spirited examination of the essence of Jewishness.Acknowledging that Jews "don't know if we are a religion, a civilization, an ethnic group, a race, all or none of the above," librarian and journalist Maxwell (Sacred Stacks: The Higher Purpose of Libraries and Librarianship, 2006, etc.) maintains, nevertheless, that Jews share definable traits. Drawing on abundant sources, including the Talmud, Judaic scholars and historians, rabbis, a cadre of friends that make up her own "Jewish Jury," and assorted figures from popular culture (Woody Allen, Groucho Marx, Jack Benny, and Joan Rivers, among many more), the author brings a lively curiosity to her lighthearted investigation. Describing herself as a "spiritual-but-not-religious Jew" who married a non-Jew and has raised her daughter as a Jew, she feels an "unshakable loyalty" to her Jewish identity and sets out to discover what makes Jewishness distinctive. Worrying, she asserts, is a special Jewish trait, perhaps inspired by ancient disasters (the Ten Plagues, for example) or persecution. Other shared behaviors include taking pride in achievements attained by Jews; an affinity for joining social and charitable groups; and particular food choices, such as cheesecake, bagels and lox, and gefilte fish. Her assertion, though, that Jews have a "unique relationship" with food might surprise "an Italian Catholic momma" whose "religion doesn't even esteem food as much as mine." Comedy seems to Maxwell also particularly Jewish. "Over the past forty years," she writes, "an estimated 80 percent of America's leading comedians and writers have been Jews." The search for typical traits leads, not surprisingly, to the stereotypical: Maxwell debunks the derogatory image of a "Jewish nose" but not the notion that Jews talk faster and louder than others. She asserts that verbal sparring results from Jews' tendency "to trust that with enough talking, arguing, debating, and analyzing, the truth will emerge." Besides examining traits, Maxwell considers her own apparently uncanny "Jewdar" that enables her to recognize other Jews. Urging Jews to talk about her book with others, she provides a 30-page appendix of hints to structure discussion.An entertaining overview likely to inspire debate.

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April 1, 2019

In tackling a particularly tricky issue, what it means to be Jewish, librarian and author Maxwell (The ALA Book of Library Grant Money) describes a series of attributes she's identified as being "typically Jewish." Maxwell asks readers to reflect on what it means to be Jewish, especially in the absence of religious practice. What are the ties that bind liberal and conservative, secular and orthodox Jews to form their cultural identities? With chapters on Worrying, Kvelling, Dying, Noshing, Laughing, Detecting, Dwelling, and Joining, the narrative ranges from silly to thought-provoking to potentially controversial. Maxwell also shares details of her personal life, as someone who is married to a non-Jew but still raising a Jewish daughter. While input from the Talmud and religious experts is included, the author's point of view as a non-religious Jew might be difficult to overcome for more conservative readers. Yet that shouldn't prevent people from learning from her insights into everything from food, comedy, and notable Jewish celebrities. VERDICT A solid choice for a book club or conversation starter, this lighthearted book is a good fit for a public library collections.--Felicia J. Williamson, Dallas Holocaust Museum

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