Review of "Jewish Voices: Inspiring and Empowering Quotes from Global Thought Leaders" by Dana Rubin

Dana Rubin is an award-win­ning jour­nal­ist, speaker, speechwriter, and creator/curator of the world’s largest col­lec­tion of speech­es by women.

Author Dana Rubin

'Jewish Voices' is a different kind of collection, an assemblage of quotes from Jewish men and women, accompanied by beautiful artistic renderings by Jewish artists.

Rubin introduces 'Jewish Voices' as follows: "Words and language have always occupied a place of special reverence in Jewish life. From the beginning of recorded history, the wisdom and culture of the Jewish people have been communicated through the written and spoken word."

Perhaps the best example of this are Talmudic scholars who spend their entire lives studying and discussing the Talmud - the compilation of writings that covers all Jewish laws and traditions.



'Jewish Voices' is divided into ten sections, each containing a series of quotes and a brief biography of each person quoted. The men and women cited include scholars, politicians, celebrities, authors, scientists, poets, artists, and more. I'll list the sections, with an example of a quote from each one.

❂ Land of Milk and Honey (This refers to the land of Israel.)

"I stand with Israel because when I walk around Jerusalem, every step I take is part of my history." Melinda Strauss, Jewish content creator and kosher cookbook author.



*****

❂ Diaspora ("The Jewish people have continuously been uprooted and forced to abandon and rebuild their lives in a perpetual state of exile.")

"The Jewish masses, though dispersed to the four winds of the world and mostly destitute of mere shelter - because tenacious of their creed, endure, true to themselves and to their past." Waldemar Haffkine, Russian-French bacteriologist



*****

❂ Art and Culture ("Historians have compared the achievements of the Jewish people in the arts to the....Italians during the Renaissance....")

"Our capacity to create something that is not useful, that's only understood by mortals, that's only within the human experience, and that is beyond the provable and everyday, that is unpredictable - that's the highest praise we can give for being human." Leon Botstein, Swiss-American conductor, educator, and scholar.



*****

❂ Laughter and Tears ("From ancient times to the Borscht Belt, from Hollywood to Comedy Central, Jewish people have found wit and humor in the human condition....")

"Laughter forces air into and out of our lungs - it keeps us alive and motivated even in the worst of circumstances." Esther D. Kustanowitz, American writer, editor, and consultant.



*****

❂ Antisemitism and the Holocaust ("Historians say the first antisemitic attack occurred in 38 BCE in Alexandria....That was the start of centuries of catastrophe for the Jewish people.")

"We all have a responsibility to stand up. Words matter. Hate speech begets hate crimes." Josh Shapiro, 48th governor of Pennsylvania.



*****

❂ Education and Learning ("The notion that the most secure investment you can make is in your knowledge may not be exclusively Jewish, but it does have a powerful Jewish lineage.")

"The most violent element in society is ignorance." Emma Goldman, Anarchist revolutionary, political activist, and writer.



*****

❂ Family and Home ("Jewish family life is the core from which all else radiates: identity, belonging, and self-fulfillment.")

"Though we come from different cultures and totally different worlds, we all want the same things - to provide a good environment for our kids to grow in. To laugh and share experiences with family and friends. To see our children grow up and achieve their dreams." Ben Stiller, actor, filmmaker, and comedian.



*****

❂ Inspiration and Hope ("With the founding of the Jewish state, the first two stanzas of Naftali Herz Imber's poem became the national anthem, 'Hatikvah: Our hope is not yet lost/It is two thousand years old/To be a free people in our land/The land of Zion and Jerusalem.')

"I have never seen the world as 'deaf' or 'hearing' or 'Jewish' or 'gentile' or 'black' or 'white'.....There is only one world, and many people live in it." Shoshannah Stern, actress, writer, and producer. (Stern was raised in a deaf family and learned sign language before English.)



*****

❂ Holidays and Tradition ("Some Jewish holidays commemorate key events in Jewish history....others are tied to the agrarian cycle.")

"Shabbos is the central point of our lives, the culmination of the entire week, showcasing our purpose and bringing us full circle. It forces us to stop and connect with our Creator and gives us the tools and opportunities to be present and take a look at the faces of our families." Raizy Fried, teacher, innovator, and lifestyle influencer.



*****

Tikun Olam (Repairing the world: tikun olam places the well-being of humanity not just in the providence of God, but also in the hands of the Jewish people.)

"Say to yourself, If there is a wrong in our midst, what can I do? What is my responsibility?" Lilian Wald, American nurse, activist, and humanitarian.



*****

Though it might seem like this book would appeal mostly to Jewish people, I think persons of all faiths would find it enlightening. As humans, we have common hopes, dreams, and goals, many of which are reflected in the selections included by Dana Rubin.

In addition to the quotes, the book includes an index of individuals, permissions, and a bibliography at the back. There are also colorful illustrations on every page - by artists Chavi Feldman, Leah Bar Shalom and Eleyor Snir - which make this a good candidate for a gift or coffee table book.

Thanks to Netgalley, Dana Rubin, and Wellfleet Press for a copy of the book.

Rating: 5 stars