A review by geller
To Be a Jew Today: A New Guide to God, Israel, and the Jewish People by Noah Feldman

hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.25

It's all in the title: To Be a Jew TODAY.  This book is an account of the present (2024) state of Jewishness across the world, delivered through the lenses of God, Israel, and Jewish Peoplehood.  Somewhat transparently, it is rooted in the American (ex-Orthodox) perspective, though many pages are spent covering Israel.

In terms of concrete takeaways, Feldman offers some broad ideas about what the many divergent strands of Jewry have in common, including perpetual struggles with God (not just the God of the Torah) and each other.  He also tries to inspire empathy between fellow Jews, including for those who are seen as "bad" in one way or another (for this matter, he hints at anti-Zionist, Religious Zionist, and secular Jews.  Left "Evolutionist" Jews seem to be favored to a certain extent).

I'm not sure if this book will hold up in 5-10 years, since it is written so specifically for the present day.  But if you are looking for a digestible treatment filled with reflection on Jewishness, this is a great read.