This book is not just for Jewish people.
It’s for all people who would gain insight— and strength to heal—from Jewish tradition.
• All people who are in trouble with alcohol, drugs, or other addictions—food, gambling, and sex
• Anyone seeking an understanding of the Twelve Steps from a Jewish perspective—regardless of religious background or affiliation
• Alcoholics and addicts in recovery
• Codependents
• Adult children of alcoholics
• Specialists in recovery and treatment
An updated and expanded edition of a recovery classic. A rabbi, a psychiatrist, and many recovering Jewish people share their understanding of the Twelve Jewish Steps of recovery from addiction of all kinds based on conversations with each other—and with God.
They present a Jewish perspective on the Twelve Steps and offer consolation, inspiration, and motivation for recovery—for people of all faiths and backgrounds—by drawing on traditional and contemporary Jewish sources and by sharing what recovering people say about their experiences. They explore why some Jews are uncomfortable with the Twelve Steps, as well as how the Jewish understanding of the Twelve Steps differs from the Christian understanding of it.
“Presents a Jewish perspective on Twelve Step programs, drawing on traditional Jewish sources, and quoting recovering Jews on their experiences with addictions of all kinds.”
—Jewish Book World
“A very useful tool that weaves together the wisdom of AA’s 12 steps and Jewish teaching.”
—Rabbi Rami Shapiro, author, Recovery—The Sacred Art: The Twelve Steps as Spiritual Practice
“Should be required reading not only for rabbis, social workers and educators, but for Jewish parents, grandparents and children. Olitzky and Copans have removed any and all barriers which might have blocked members of the Jewish community from the road to recovery.”
—St. Louis Jewish Light
“A powerful tool for spiritual transformation…. Guides all Jews seeking a Twelve-Step exodus from their personal enslavements to the promised land of freedom.”
—Rabbi Rami Shapiro, author, Recovery—The Sacred Art: The Twelve Steps as Spiritual Practice
“With honesty, compassion and hope … weaves together the wisdom of AA Twelve Steps and Jewish teaching into a strong cord that ably pulls the reader out of the rut of compulsive behavior toward the freedom of responsible living.”
—Rabbi Elie Kaplan Spitz, author, Healing from Despair: Choosing Wholeness in a Broken World
“A ‘must have’ for any recovering person’s library. Will help countless people begin the journey to a life of meaning and purpose, contentment and serenity. Our residents will all receive a copy as soon as they enter our doors.”
—Martha J. Meehan, executive director, Jewish Recovery Houses, Inc.
“Should be read by all people who are seeking meaning, purpose and a relevant spiritual path, whether they are officially recovering or not. The teachings reflect the essence of Jewish wisdom and are applicable to daily life. This book will be required reading for all residents of Beit T’Shuvah.”
—Harriet Rossetto, LCSW, founder and CEO, Beit T’Shuvah
“An extremely valuable and helpful recovery tool. We are delighted to see it become available in a new edition, with added material from contemporary Jewish spiritual leaders! This is a much loved and highly useful book.”
—Jonathan Katz, LCSW, JACS (Jewish Alcoholics, Chemically Dependent Persons and Significant Others), a program of the Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services
“A must-read for every Jew desiring a road map to living a life of decency, wholeness and Truth. Brings together the path to wholeness through Judaic spiritual principles and the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous better than any other book I have read.”
—Rabbi Mark Borovitz, coauthor, The Holy Thief: A Con Man’s Journey from Darkness to Light
“Essential to many individuals in their initial and ongoing work of recovery as well as to the professionals in the Jewish community who partner with them to change our attitudes and our institutions. The expanded second edition adds meaningful words and updated resources to enhance the spiritual journey of all those who want to transform their lives.”
—Rabbi Stephanie Dickstein, LMSW, spiritual care coordinator, Shira Ruskay Center, The Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services
“User-friendly…. [A] step-by-step formula that enables and empowers the reader to deal with and overcome formidable and often overwhelming demons that might otherwise be ignored or denied.”
—Stephen S. Pearce, PhD, senior rabbi, Congregation Emanu-El of San Francisco
“Addictions in the Jewish community have remained hidden for far too long.... This book is the first aimed directly at helping the addicted person and family. Everyone affected or interested should read it.”
—Sheila B. Blume, MD, CAC, medical director, Alcoholism, Chemical Dependency and Compulsive Gambling Programs, South Oaks Hospital
“If I were to recommend one book on the experience of addictive behavior, it would be this one ... because it is universally authentic, compassionate, and life-enhancing.”
—Rabbi Earl A. Grollman, DD, author, Living When a Loved One Has Died and In Sickness and in Health
“I read Twelve Jewish Steps with the eyes of a Christian and came away renewed in my heart. I felt like I had visited my Jewish roots. These authors have deep knowledge of recovery as viewed by Alcoholics Anonymous.”
—Rock J. Stack, MA, LLD, manager, Clinical–Pastoral Education, Hazelden Foundation
“Recommended reading for people of all denominations.”
—Abraham J. Twerski, MD, medical director emeritus and founder, Gateway Treatment Center
Dr. Stuart A. Copans, board certified in addictions psychiatry, is adjunct associate professor of psychiatry at Dartmouth Medical School in Hanover, New Hampshire, and consulting child psychiatrist at Deerfield Academy and at Monadnock Family Services in Peterborough, New Hampshire. He is the author of many papers, abstracts, and other published works on the treatment of alcohol and drug abuse.
Dr. Abraham J. Twerski is a rabbi, psychiatrist, and an expert on recovery from addiction. He is medical director emeritus and founder of Gateway Rehabilitation Center in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. Dr. Twerski is the author of many books on recovery and spirituality, including The Spiritual Self; Getting Up When You’re Down; Waking Up Just in Time; Self-Discovery in Recovery; Living Each Day; and A Formula for Proper Living: Practical Lessons from Life and Torah and Happiness and the Human Spirit: The Spirituality of Becoming the Best You Can Be (both Jewish Lights).
Rabbi Sheldon Zimmerman founded the Task Force on Alcoholism of the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of New York. While he was rabbi of Central Synagogue in New York City, his congregation sponsored the first Alcoholics Anonymous group to meet in a synagogue. Formerly president of Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion, he is now rabbi of the Jewish Center of the Hamptons (NY).
Maty Grünberg is an Israeli artist who has made his home in London since the late 1960s. His illuminated books and sculptures are found in the collections of major museums and institutions throughout the world.
