What does it mean to become a Jewish woman?
This growing up business isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be: It can be complicated and scary and seem impossibly hard. With all the choices and challenges before her, how does a girl become a young Jewish woman?
The JGirl’s Guide is a first-of-its-kind book of practical, real-world advice using Judaism as a compass for the journey through adolescence. This newly updated and expanded survival guide for coming of age explores the wisdom and experiences of rabbis, athletes, writers, scholars, musicians and great Jewish thinkers.
This inspiring, interactive book can help Jewish girls figure it all out. It explores what happens at school and with friends. It shows them how to get along better with their families. It offers them a chance to hear the voices of other girls going through experiences just like theirs.
Now’s the time when girls are thinking: Who am I? What do I believe in? Who will I become? The JGirl’s Guide provides Jewish writings, traditions and advice that can help.
Praise for the Previous Edition
“The JGirl’s Guide is cool. You should check it out.”
—Anita Diamant, author, The Red Tent and The New Jewish Baby Book: Names, Ceremonies & Customs—A Guide for Today’s Families
“Fills a void in the Jewish world—and it does so with creativity and joy. We will be using it with our mother/daughter group at The Temple in Atlanta; it’s what we’ve needed for a long time.”
—Rabbi Jeffrey K. Salkin and Nina Salkin, authors, The Bar/Bat Mitzvah Memory Book: An Album for Treasuring the Spiritual Celebration
“An invaluable tool for anyone working with Jewish girls. It incorporates important Jewish history and values into the issues Jewish girls face today. I recommend it highly.”
—Rosalind Wiseman, author, Queen Bees and Wannabes and co-founder of the Empower Program
“The arrival of The JGirl’s Guide couldn’t be more timely.... It captures the essence of a unique coming of age and skillfully provides tools to help young girls grow up with a confident sense of self and proud to be Jewish.”
—Donnie Kanter Winokur, founding executive director, The Body and Soul National Institute
“Unlocks the inner beauty and wisdom of Jewish tradition. Chock full of Jewish values, it will be a trusted friend and wise teacher to a whole new generation of sisters and daughters, our people’s next leaders.”
—Yosef I. Abramowitz, publisher, JVibe.com and Sh’ma; co-founder, BabagaNewz.com; and winner of the Covenant Award for Excellence in Jewish Education
“A tour de force! For Jgirls of all ages ... the perfect gift, for it candidly and clearly offers profound wisdom to help Jewish girls grow into healthy, Judaically knowledgeable, involved and caring human beings. I can’t wait for my own daughter to read it.”
—Rabbi Joshua Elkin, executive director, The Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education
“Perfect for a young woman about to embark on preparation for a [bat] mitzvah.”
—Publishers Weekly
Penina Adelman is the author of Miriam's Well: Rituals for Jewish Women Around the Year and The Bible from Alef to Tav which was a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award. Her most recent book is Praise Her Works: Conversations with Biblical Women. She is a social worker specializing in group work and she leads pre-bat mitzvah and mother/daughter groups.
Ali Feldman, a marriage and family therapist and Jewish educator, gives workshops on a myriad of psychological topics through a Jewish lens. She maintains a private practice in Miami Beach, where she counsels couples, families and individuals.
Shulamit Reinharz is the Potofsky Professor of Sociology at Brandeis University, where she serves as founding director of both the Hadassah-Brandeis Institute and the Women’s Studies Research Center. She is coauthor of The JGuy’s Guide: The GPS for Jewish Teen Guys and The JGirl’s Guide: The Young Jewish Women's Handbook for coming of Age (both Jewish Lights).
Ellen Golub is a research associate at the Hadassah-Brandeis Institute and is a former English professor, psychoanalytic literary critic and newspaper columnist. She is author of PsychoSemetic.