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The much-dissected Pew Research Center study of 2013, "A Portrait of Jewish Americans," revealed that most U.S. Jews locate their Jewishness in their ancestry and culture -- not in religion. Abigail Pogrebin wondered if perhaps that's because we haven't all looked at religion closely enough. Although she grew up following some holiday rituals, Pogrebin realized how little she knew about their foundational purpose and current relevance. She wanted to understand what had kept these holidays alive and vibrant, in some cases for thousands of years. Her curiosity led her to embark on an entire year of intensive research, observation, and writing about the milestones on the Jewish calendar.My Jewish Year travels through this calendar's signposts with candor, humor, and a trove of information, capturing the arc of Jewish observance through the eyes of a relatable, wandering -- and wondering -- Jew. The chapters are interspersed with brief reflections from prominent rabbis and Jewish thinkers.Maybe you're seeking an accessible, digestible roadmap for Jewish life. Maybe you'd appreciate a fresh exploration of what you've mastered. Whatever your motivation, you'll be educated, entertained, and inspired by Pogrebin's unusual journey -- and by My Jewish Year.



About the Author

Abigail Pogrebin

Abigail Pogrebin is the author of the upcoming book, My Jewish Year: 18 Holidays; One Wondering Jew, which chronicles her experience researching and observing every holiday in the Jewish calendar. It comes out next March 2017, with a foreword by A.J. Jacobs. She is also the author of Stars of David (Broadway 2005) and One and the Same (Doubleday 2009) . She was a producer for Fred Friendly, Charlie Rose, and Bill Moyers at PBS, then for Ed Bradley and Mike Wallace at 60 Minutes. She has written for many publications, including New York Magazine, The Daily Beast, Harper's Bazaar, Salon, Good Housekeeping, Huffington Post, Parents, Radar, Brill's Content, and Talk Magazine. She is the moderator of an interview series at The JCC in Manhattan called "What Everyone's Talking About."



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