HUC-JIR - Your Year in Israel

Your Year in Israel

Books to Read Before Arrival

The following readings are essential and will greatly enrich your experience in Israel and enhance your academic studies at the College. You should regard these readings as a prerequisite to beginning your studies in Jerusalem. They will provide the necessary background for both your course work and your Israel encounters during the year. It is especially important that students with little formal Jewish study be familiar with all the topics covered in this list. We have listed additional books which explore subjects in greater detail for those who already have some background in a particular topic. It is not necessary to bring these books with you.

A. Bible: The New Jewish Publication Society Translation. Entering students are expected to have a basic familiarity with the Bible. Carefully review the following:

Genesis - All except genealogies
Exodus - Chapters 1-34
Leviticus - Chapters 11-12, 18-20, 23
Numbers - Chapters 5-6, 11-17, 20-25, 27, 35-36
Deuteronomy - All except Chapters 32-33
Judges - Chapters 3-8, 13-16, 19-21
First Samuel - Chapters 1-7, 9-20, 27-31
Sec'd Samuel - Chapters 1-7, 11-13
First Kings - Chapters 1-3, 5, 10-12, 16-19, 21
Second Kings - Chapters 1-2, 4-9, 13, 18-25
Amos - Chapters 1-9
Jonah - Chapters 1-4
Micah - Chapters 1-7
Psalms - Numbers 19, 23, 24, 92, 121, 126, 133, 137, 150

B. General Jewish History:

The Course of Modern Jewish History, Howard Sachar, Vintage Books, N.Y. 1990.
Alternative: A History of the Jewish People, ed. H. H. Ben-Sasson, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, 1976.

C. Israel:

A History of Israel, Howard Sachar, Alfred A. Knopf, 1976. Pp. 1-88; 279-394; 580-614; 714-739.
Alternatives: The Making of Modern Zionism: The Intellectual Origins of the Jewish State, Shlomo Avineri, Basic Books, 1981.
Israel On Broadway: America Off-Broadway, David Forman, Gefen Publishing, 1998
Culture Shock: Israel, Dick Winter, Graphic Arts Center, 1992.

D. Reform Judaism:

Renewing the Covenant, Eugene Borowitz, JTS, Philadelphia, 1991.
(or) Reform Judaism Today, Eugene Borowitz, Behrman House, 1978. (Can be purchased from the publisher at a Student Discount.)
(or) Response to Modernity, Michael Meyer, Wayne State University Press, Detroit, 1995.

E. History of HUC-JIR:

Introduction and Part One, HUC at One-Hundred Years, ed. Samuel E. Karff, HUC Press, 1976.

F. Texts:

Back to the Sources, ed. Barry W. Holtz, Summit Books, 1984. Introduction, Chapters 1 (Bible), 2 (Mishnah), 3 (Midrash), 4 (Rashi), and 8 (Liturgy).

G. Cantorial Students:

Jewish Music, A. Z. Idelsohn, Dover Books, 1981.
Chosen Voices: The Story of the American Cantorate, Mark Slobin, U. of Illinois Press, 1989. (phone: 1-800-545-4703)

Some sources for books:

Central Conference of American Rabbis
355 Lexington Ave. New York, N. Y.
Phone: (212) 972-3636
(20% discount available)

Union of American Hebrew Congregations
633 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017-6778

(40% discount available)

Levine J CO Books & Judaica (religious supplies)
5 W. 30th St.
N. Y., N. Y. 10001
Phone: (212) 695-6888

Cantor's Assembly, Inc.
150 5 Avenue
N. Y., N. Y.
Phone: (212) 691-8020

Simon & Schuster
1230 Ave. of Americas
N. Y., N. Y. 10020
Phone: (212) 698-7000

BarnesandNoble.com

Amazon.com

www.judaism.com

A clearing house for Jewish books may be reached by dialing 1-800-Judaism. Most books ordered are delivered within a week.

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