The Jewish Outreach Institute

Index

Basic Reading

Topics

Complete Bibliography

Publications

JOI Research

JOI Newsletters

COMPLETE READING LIST -- click on the book title to purchase the book.

It is sorted according to the author's last name.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

	Jewish Family & Life: Traditions, Holidays, and Values for Today's Parents and Children, by Yosef I. Abramowitz, Susan Silverman. Golden Books, 1998. This highly-accessible volume includes material useful to parents in interfaith relationships.
	Introduction to Judaism: Holidays Rosh Hashanah Yom Kippur Survival Kit, by Shimon Apisdorf. Leviathan Press, 1997. An introduction to the High Holidays that explains the meaning and beauty of the holidays with humor and accessibility.
	Black, Jewish and Interracial: It's Not the Color of Your Skin, but the Race of Your Kin by Katya Gibel Azoulay. Duke University, 1997. An exploration of ethnic and cultural identity by the child of a Jewish mother and Jamaican father.

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	Choosing Judaism: An Opportunity for Everyone, by David Belin. Overview essay on the openness of Judaism to all people, Jews and non-Jews alike, 21 p. [This book can be read for free by clicking on the link]
	Embracing the Covenant: Converts to Judaism Talk About Why & How, by Allan L. Berkowitz and Patti Moskovitz, Jewish Lights, 1996. Personal accounts by twenty converts to Judaism, this book shares many inspiring stories filled with wisdom and contemplation. Available from the publisher Jewish Lights
	Celebration: The Book of Jewish Festivals, by Naomi Black. Jonathan David, 1989. An illustrated book containing information on major Jewish festivals. Includes recipes.

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	The Tapestry of Jewish Time: A Spiritual Guide to Holidays and Life-Cycle Events, by Nina Beth Cardin. Behrman House, 2000. An illuminating guide through the roots of Jewish tradition, with suggestions on how to reclaim and incorporate Jewish customs into our lives today.
	Mixed Blessings: Overcoming the Stumbling Blocks in an Interfaith Marriage, by Paul Cowan, Rachel Cowan. Penguin USA, 1989. A classic text still used by couples encountering the challenges of interfaith marriage.
	Divided Lives: The Untold Stories of Jewish-Christian Women in Nazi Germany, by Cynthia A. Crane. St. Martin's Press, 2000. The stories of ten women identified by Nazi Germany as so-called "mischling," or children of mixed Jewish-Christian marriages.
	Mixed Matches: How to Create Successful Interracial, Interethnic, and Interfaith Relationships, by Joel Crohn. Fawcett Books, 1995. A primer for people involved in all types of relationships that span divergent cultures, written by a psychotherapist with experience in cross-cultural counseling.

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	Bible Baby Names: Spiritual Choices from Judeo-Christian Tradition, by Anita Diamant. Jewish Lights, 1996. Biblical overview of 630 names, with an emphasis on names that are relatively common in American usage. Available from the publisher Jewish Lights
	Choosing a Jewish Life: A Handbook for People Converting to Judaism and for Their Family and Friends, by Anita Diamant, Schocken Books, 1998. A rich introduction to Judaism geared especially towards converts and those considering conversion.
	Living a Jewish Life: Jewish Traditions, Customs, and Values for Today's Families, by Anita Diamant. HarperCollins, 1996. A practical guide to incorporating Judaism into daily life.
	The New Jewish Wedding, by Anita Diamant, Fireside 2001. This classic text on Jewish wedding ritual across the denominations has been revised and updated with a new chapter that includes interfaith weddings.
	To Raise a Jewish Child: A Guide for Parents, by Hayim Halevy Donin. Basic Books, 1991. Provides information on raising Jewish children for those familiar with the religion and newcomers to the faith.
	Turbulent Souls: A Catholic Son's Return to His Jewish Family, by Stephen J. Dubner. Bard Books, 1999. A moving memoir by a man whose parents converted from Judaism to Catholicism, and who himself decided to convert to Judaism. Expanded from the author's 1996 cover story in The New York Times Magazine.

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	Conversion to Judaism: A Guidebook, by Lawrence J. Epstein, Jason Aronson, 1997. A rather scholarly handbook to finding one's road to Judaism.
	Questions and Answers on Conversion to Judaism, by Lawrence J. Epstein, Jason Aronson, 1998. A practical guide to the process of conversion and larger issues about becoming a Jew.
	Readings on Conversion to Judaism, by Lawrence J. Epstein. Jason Aronson, 1995.

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	Stranger in the Midst: A Memoir of Spiritual Discovery, by Nan Fink. Basic Books, 1997. One woman's personal experience of conversion to Judaism, and the challenges she faced in finding her place in the Jewish community.
	The Guide to Jewish Interfaith Family Life: An Interfaithfamily.com Handbook, by Ronnie Friedland (Editor), Edmund Case (Editor). Jewish Lights, 2001. Thoughtful essays documenting first-hand experiences of interfaith families. Includes a preface by Rabbi Kerry Olitzky, JOI Executive Director. Available from the publisher Jewish Lights

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	Hanukkah and Christmas at My House, by Susan Enid Gertz. Willow and Laurel Press, 1992. A children's book for those who wish to teach their children about the Jewish and Catholic religious and historical dimensions of the holidays.
	Strangers to the Tribe: Portraits of Interfaith Marriage, by Gabrielle Glaser. Houghton Mifflin, 1997. A compassionate and thoughtful account of eleven families juggling issues of ethnicity, class and religion.
No Image Available	Between Two Worlds: Choices for Grown Children of Jewish-Christian Parents, by Leslie Goodman-Malamuth and Robin Margolis. Pocket Books, Inc., 1992. This book, currently out of print, is a frank assessment of the unique experiences, challenges and issues of identity faced by many children of interfaith parents.
	Under the Wedding Canopy: Love and Marriage in Judaism, by David C. and Esther R. Gross. Hippocrene Books, 1996.
	Swaying: Essays on Intercultural Love, Edited by by Jessie Carroll Grearson and Lauren B. Smith, University of Iowa Press, 1995. An anthology of essays by people involved in diverse types of intercultural romantic relationships.
	How to Run a Traditional Jewish Household, by Blu Greenberg. Simon & Schuster, 1985. A helpful guide by a leading Orthodox Jewish feminist thinker.
	The Jewish Way: Living the Holidays, by Irving Greenberg. Touchstone Books, 1993. A thoughtful and intelligent guide to the Jewish calendar by one of today's foremost Jewish theologians.

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	Bubbe & Gram: My Two Grandmothers, by Joan C. Hawxhurst, Jane K. Bynum (Illustrator). Dovetail Publishing, 1997. A children's book for those who wish to incorporate the religious faiths of both Judaism and Christianity.
	The Complete Jewish Wedding Planner, by Wendy Chernak Hefter. Psp Pr, 1993. A practical guide with lists and tables to help plan a Jewish wedding.
	God in Search of Man: A Philosophy of Judaism, by Abraham Joshua Heschel. Noonday Press, 1997. A modern Jewish classic of theological thought.
	Tastes of Jewish Tradition: Recipes, Activities & Stories for the Whole Family by Jody Hirsh, Idy Goodman, Aggie Goldenholz and Susan Roth. Jewish Community Center of Milwaukee, 2002. Winner of the Writer's Digest National Self Published Book Award and a Parents' Choice Foundation recommendation, this is a colorful and unique resource guide and cookbook created by Jewish educators and parents.
	Not by Birth Alone: Conversion to Judaism, Ed. by Walter Homolka, Walter Jacob and Esther Seidel. Continuum, 1997. An overview of the spiritual, ethnic and historical conceptions of Jewish identity, examining and comparing theological and denominational ideas of "Who is a Jew."
	Who Is a Jew? Conversations, Not Conclusions, by Meryl Hyman. Jewish Lights, 1999. A woman of patrilineal Jewish descent engages in far-reaching conversations on questions of Jewish identity with rabbis and Jewish leaders throughout the world.

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	Critical Documents of Jewish History: A Sourcebook by Ronald H. Isaacs (Editor), Kerry M. Olitzky (Editor); Jason Aronson Pub., September 1995.
	A Jewish Mourner's Handbook by Ron H. Isaacs, Kerry M. Olitzky; Ktav Publishing House: 1991.
	Sacred Celebrations : A Jewish Holiday Handbook by Ronald H. Isaacs, Kerry M. Olitzky; Ktav Publishing House: 1994.
	Sacred Moments : Tales from the Jewish Life Cycle by Ronald H. Isaacs, Kerry M. Olitzky (Editor); Jason Aronson Pub: 1995.

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	122 Clues for Jews Whose Children Intermarry, by Sidney J. Jacobs, Betty J. Jacobs. Jacobs Ladder, 1988. A practical and light-hearted guide offering information and advice for parents adjusting to their child's intermarriage.
	Half-Jew: A Daughter's Search for Her Family's Buried Past, by Susan Jacoby. Scribner, 2000. A journalist investigates her roots and identity as the progeny of German American Jews who had converted to Catholicism to conceal their Jewish identity.
	A History of the Jews, by Paul Johnson. HarperCollins, 1988. Wide-ranging and accessible history of the Jewish people.

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	Hebrew, Holidays, and Heroes: The Jewish Fun Book by David P. Kasakove, Mark Lerer (Illustrator), Kerry M. Olitzky; Union of American Hebrew Congregations: 1992.
No Image Available	Crosscurrents: Children, Families, and Religion, by Evelyn Kaye. Outlet, 1980.
	Suddenly Jewish: Jews Raised As Gentiles Discover Their Jewish Roots (Brandeis Series in American Jewish History, Culture, and Life), by Barbara Kessel. Brandeis University, 2000. Accounts of people in diverse circumstances who found out, later in life, that they were Jewish.
	If I'm Jewish and You're Christian, What Are the Kids? A Parenting Guide for Interfaith Families, by Andrea King, Alexander M. Schindler, Union of American Hebrew Congregations, 1993. A guide that offers practical advice and suggestions covering all aspects of raising children in a Jewish-Christian marriage.
	Jewish Days: A Book of Jewish Life and Culture Around the Year, by Francine Klagsbrun. Noonday Press, 1998. Explanations of Jewish holidays and ritual, including relevant stories and legends; illustrated by Mark Podwal.
	The Half-Jewish Book: A Celebration, by Daniel M. Klein and Freke Vuijst. Villard Books, 2000. A humorous, brash and breezy examination of what it means to be "half-Jewish," this book is heavy on pop cultural examples and rather light on serious examinations of identity. Read a chapter at http://www.halfjewishbook.com/
	Embracing Judaism, by Simcha Kling. The Rabbinical Assembly, 1999. A thoughtful primer on Jewish values and tradition for those considering conversion.
	Tolerance 101: Practical Solutions to Interfaith Family Problems, Ed. by Stanley Koehler. Foundation for Religious Freedom, 1999. A guidebook to help navigate the tensions that can result when a member of the family follows a spiritual path different from your own.
	The Journey of the Soul : Traditional Sources on Teshuvah by Leonard S. Kravitz (Editor), Kerry M. Olitzky (Editor); Jason Aronson Pub: October 1995.
	Mishlei: A Modern Commentary on Proverbs by Leonard S. Kravitz (Translator), Kerry M. Olitzky (Translator); Union of American Hebrew Congregations, 2002.
	Choosing Judaism, by Lydia Kukoff. Union of American Hebrew Congregations, 1981. Offers basic information about Judaism and covers issues that may arise with parents, children, and within the Jewish community
	To Life! A Celebration of Jewish Being and Thinking, by Harold Kushner. Little, Brown, & Co., 1994. Cheery assessment of Jewish history and thought.
	Sparks Beneath the Surface : A Spiritual Commentary on the Torah by Lawrence S. Kushner, Kerry M. Olitzky; Jason Aronson Pub: 1993.

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	Becoming a Jew, by Maurice Lamm. Jonathan David, 1991. An introduction to Judaism geared especially towards those converting to Orthodox Judaism.
	Lovesong: Becoming a Jew, by Julius Lester. Billfinch Press, 1995. The personal story of an African American civil rights activist as he underwent a Jewish spiritual awakening.
	Mingled Roots: A Guide for Jewish Grandparents of Interfaith Grandchildren, by Susan Levin, Dahlia G. Schoenberg (Illustrator), Dahlia G. Schoenberg (Translator), 2003 A helpful guide for Jewish grandparents of children in interfaith families.
	Etz Hayim: Torah and Commentary, Ed. By David L. Lieber. Jewish Publication Society, 2001. Recently published, this is the first new Torah commentary for Conservative Judaism in over 70 years.

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	How to Be a Perfect Stranger, Vol. 1: A Guide to Etiquette in Other People's Religious Ceremonies: North America's Largest Faiths, Ed. by Arthur J. Magida and Stuart Matlins. Skylight Paths, 1999. Explains general customs of the major religious faiths of North America, offering etiquette advice on what is permissible and impermissible when experiencing a different religious culture as an outsider.
	Love and Tradition: Marriage Between Jews and Christians, by Egon Mayer. Plenum Press, 1985. A sociological overview of interfaith marriage based on a nationwide survey of over 400 couples.
No Image Available	Intermarriage and Rabbinic Officiation, by Egon Mayer, American Jewish Committee: NY, 1989 see http://www.EgonMayer.Com/Publications.html for more information.
No Image Available	Intermarriage, Divorce, and Remarriage Among American Jews, 1982-1987, By Egon Mayer with Nava Lerer and Barry Kosmin, North American Jewish Data Bank, Family Research Series # 1, 1989. see http://www.EgonMayer.Com/Publications.html for more information.
	Conversion Among the Intermarried, By Egon Mayer with Amy Avgar. American Jewish Committee: NY, 1987. see http://www.EgonMayer.Com/Publications.html for more information.
	Intermarriage and the Jewish Future, By Egon Mayer with Carl Sheingold. American Jewish Committee: NY, 1979. see http://www.EgonMayer.Com/Publications.html for more information.
	Children of Intermarriage, By Egon Mayer. American Jewish Committee: NY, 1983. see http://www.EgonMayer.Com/Publications.html for more information.
No Image Available	"Jewishness Among the Intermarried," By Egon Mayer. In David M. Gordis & Dorit P. Gray Eds., American Jewry: Portrait and Prognosis (New York: Behrman House, 1997) see http://www.EgonMayer.Com/Publications.html for more information.
No Image Available	"Exogamy or Endogamy in Remarriages: An Analysis of Mate Selection in First and Second Marriages Among American Jews," By Egon Mayer with Ariela Keysar, Barry Kosmin and Nava Lerer. Contemporary Jewry 12 (Fall), 1992. see http://www.EgonMayer.Com/Publications.html for more information.
	The Imperatives of Jewish Outreach: Responding to Intermarriage in the 1990s and Beyond, by Egon Mayer. Center for Jewish Studies, CUNY Graduate School: NY, 1991. see http://www.EgonMayer.Com/Publications.html for more information.
	Jewish Connections for Interfaith Families: A National Directory of Outreach Programs, by Egon Mayer. Center for Jewish Studies, CUNY Graduate School: NY, 1992. see http://www.EgonMayer.Com/Publications.html for more information.
No Image Available	Jewish Intermarriage, Conversion and Outreach, by Egon Mayer. Center for Jewish Studies, CUNY Graduate School: NY, 1990 see http://www.EgonMayer.Com/Publications.html for more information.
	Making Jewish Outreach Work, by Egon Mayer. Center for Jewish Studies, CUNY Graduate School. 1996. see http://www.EgonMayer.Com/Publications.html for more information.
No Image Available	Jewish-Gentile Courtships, by John E. Mayer. Greenwood Publishing Group, 1980.
	Embracing the Stranger; Intermarriage and the Future of the American Jewish Community, by Ellen J. McClain. Basic Books, 1995.
	Finding a Home for the Soul: Interviews With Converts to Judaism, by Catherine Hall Myrowitz. Jason Aronson, 1995. Narratives of people who converted to Judaism, conducted by a psychotherapist who converted to Judaism herself.

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	Jewish Spiritual Guidance : Finding Our Way to God by Carol Ochs, Kerry M. Olitzky; Jossey-Bass: 1997.
	Paths of Faithfulness: Personal Essays on Jewish Spirituality by Carol Ochs (Editor), Kerry M. Olitzky (Editor), Joshua Saltzman (Editor); Ktav Publishing House: 1997.
	100 Blessings Every Day : Daily Twelve Step Recovery Affirmation, Exercises for Personal Growth & Renewal Reflecting Seasons of the Jewish Year by Kerry M. Olitzky, Jay Holder, Neil Gillman (Foreword); Jewish Lights: 1993. Available from the publisher Jewish Lights
	The American Synagogue by Kerry M. Olitzky, Marc Lee Raphael (Editor); Greenwood Publishing Group: 1996.
	Eight Nights, Eight Lights by Kerry M. Olitzky; Alef Design Group: 1995.
	An Encyclopedia of American Synagogue Ritual by Kerry M. Olitzky, Marc Lee Raphael; Greenwood Publishing Group: 2000.
	From Your Father's House : Reflections for Modern Jewish Men by Kerry M. Olitzky; Jewish Publication Society: 1999.
	A Glossary of Jewish Life by Kerry M. Olitzky, Ronald H. Isaacs; Jason Aronson Pub.: 1992.
	Grief in Our Seasons : A Mourner's Kaddish Companion by Kerry M. Olitzky; Jewish Lights Pub: 1998. Available from the publisher Jewish Lights
	The How-To Handbook for Jewish Living by Kerry M. Olitzky, Ronald H. Isaacs; Ktav Publishing House: 1993.
	I Believe : The Thirteen Principles of Faith A Confirmation Textbook by Kerry M. Olitzky, Ronald H. Isaacs; Ktav Publishing House: 1999
	Jewish Paths Toward Healing and Wholeness : A Personal Guide to Dealing With Suffering by Rabbi Kerry M. Olitzky, Debbie Friedman; Jewish Lights Pub: 2000. Available from the publisher Jewish Lights
	Making A Successful Jewish Interfaith Marriage: The Jewish Outreach Institute Guide to Opportunities, Challenges and Resources by JOI Executive Director Rabbi Kerry M. Olitzky with Joan Petterson Littman. Jewish Lights, 2002. Available from the publisher Jewish Lights
	Pirke Avot : A Modern Commentary on Jewish Ethics by Kerry M. Olitzky, Leonard S. Kravitz; Union of American Hebrew Congregations: 1998.
	Preparing Your Heart for Passover: A Guide for Spiritual Readiness by Kerry M. Olitzky; Jewish Publication Society: 2002.
	Preparing Your Heart for the High Holy Days: A Guided Journal by Kerry M. Olitzky, Rachel T. Sabath; Jewish Publication Society: 1996.
	Recovery from Codependence: A Jewish Twelve Steps Guide to Healing Your Soul by Kerry M. Olitzky, Maty Grunberg (Illustrator); Jewish Lights Pub: 1993. Available from the publisher Jewish Lights
	Rediscovering Judaism : Bar and Bat Mitzvah for Adults by Kerry M. Olitzky, Ronald H. Isaacs; Ktav Publishing House: 1997.
	Reform Judaism in America by Kerry M. Olitzky, Lance J. Sussman, Malcolm H. Stern (Editor); Greenwood Publishing Group: 1993.
	Renewed Each Day : Daily Twelve Step Recovery Meditations Based on the Bible by Kerry M. Olitzky, Maty Grunberg (Illustrator); Jewish Lights Pub: 1992. Available from the publisher Jewish Lights
	Restful Reflections : Nighttime Inspiration to Calm the Soul, Based on Jewish Wisdom by Kerry M. Olitzky, Lori Forman; Jewish Lights Pub: 2001. Available from the publisher Jewish Lights
	The Rituals & Practices of a Jewish Life : An Introduction for Personal Spiritual Renewal by Kerry M. Olitzky, Daniel Judson; Jewish Lights Pub: 2002. Available from the publisher Jewish Lights
	Sacred Intentions : Daily Inspiration to Strengthen the Spirit, Based on Jewish Wisdom by Rabbi Kerry Olitzky, Lori Forman; Jewish Lights Pub: 1999. Available from the publisher Jewish Lights
	The Second How-To Handbook for Jewish Living by Kerry M. Olitzky, Ronald H. Isaacs; Ktav Publishing House: 1996.
	Shemonah Perakim : A Treatise on the Soul by Kerry Olitzky, Leonard S. Kravitz; Union of American Hebrew Congregations: 2000.
	Striving Toward Virtue : A Contemporary Guide for Jewish Ethical Behavior by Kerry M. Olitzky, Rachel T. Sabath; Ktav Publishing House: 1996.
No Image Available	To Grow Old in Israel : A Survey of Recent Trends and Developments by K.M. Olitzky (Editor); Human Sciences Pr: 1989.
	Twelve Jewish Steps to Recovery : A Personal Guide to Turning from Alcoholism and Other Addictions by Kerry M. Olitzky, Stuart A. Copans; Jewish Lights Pub: 1992. Available from the publisher Jewish Lights
	When Your Jewish Child Asks Why : Answers for Tough Questions by Kerry M. Olitzky, Steven M. Rosman, David P. Kasakove; Ktav Publishing House: 1993.

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The Torah: A Modern Commentary,
Ed. By W. Gunther Plaut. Union of American Hebrew Congregations, 1981.

The Hebrew Bible with English translation and commentary published by the American Reform movement.

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Mommy Never Went to Hebrew School,
by Mindy Avra Portnoy, Shelly O., Jacqueline Haas (Illustrator). Kar-Ben Pub: 1989.

A children's book that recounts a mother's conversion from Christianity to Judaism.

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No Image Available	But How Will You Raise the Children: A Guide to Interfaith Marriage, by Steven Carr Reuben. Pocket Books, 1987.
No Image Available	Making Interfaith Marriage Work, by Steven Carr Reuben. Prima Pub, 1994.
	Guess Who's Coming to Dinner: Celebrating Interethnic, Interfaith, and Interracial Relationships, by Brenda Lane Richardson. Wildcat Canyon, 2000. Reflections of diverse cross-cultural relationships with suggestions on how to use differences to enhance love.
	Your People, My People: Finding Acceptance and Fulfillment As a Jew by Choice, by Lena Romanoff. Identity Plus, 1999. The director of the Jewish Converts Network guides people through the various dimensions — spiritual, emotional, and practical — of conversion to Judaism.
	Beloved Strangers: Interfaith Families in Nineteenth-Century America, by Anne C. Rose. Harvard University, 2001. A new, accessibly-written account of over two dozen intermarried couples, not just Jewish-Christian, throughout the 19th and early 20th-centuries.

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	Putting God on the Guest List: How to Reclaim the Spiritual Meaning of Your Child's Bar or Bat Mitzvah, by Jeffrey K. Salkin. Jewish Lights Pub, 1996. A useful text on infusing the Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony with greater spirituality, this book includes suggestions on how to include non-Jewish parents in the event. Available from the publisher Jewish Lights
	Irreconcilable Differences? A Learning Resource for Jews and Christians, Ed. by David F. Sandmel, Rosann M. Catalano, and Christopher Magee Leighton. Westview Press, 2001. Elucidates major aspects of the two faiths and discusses where they differ.
	When a Jew and Christian Marry, by Samuel Sandmel. Fortress Pr., 1979.
	Ordained to Be a Jew: A Catholic Priest's Conversion to Judaism, by John David Scalamonti. Ktav, 1992. A priest recounts his growing disaffection from Catholicism and his subsequent embrace of Orthodox Judaism.
	Siddur: The Complete Artscroll Siddur, by Nosson Scherman, Meir Zlotowitz. Mesorah, 1989. Comprehensive daily prayer book widely used by Orthodox Jews; includes extensive citations and commentary.
No Image Available	Intermarriage: The Challenge of Living With Differences Between Christians and Jews, by Susan Weidman Schneider.