by Faranak
Margolese
Off the Derech is the phrase used within the Orthodox Jewish community
to describe those who have left Jewish observance.
Using questionnaires, extensive interviews with psychologists
and rabbis, and her Off The Derech website, the author
reveals the multi-layered reasons for the defection of so many
observant Jews from Judaism. At the same time, she presents solutions
to this growing problem, thereby creating an invaluable handbook
for parents, teachers and rabbis.
Each chapter of this well-researched book deals with a different
element of the "Off the Derech" syndrome as it explains, in detail,
how parents can reach children who have become alienated and disaffected
from their culture and their people.
Sample chapters include:
-
How Big is the Problem?
Dispelling the Myths: Assimilation, Then and
Now
-
Rejection
-
Imposing Religion: Free Choice and Conditional
Love
-
Who are the Parents?
-
Understanding and Dealing with Rebellion
-
Implementing Observance: The Role of Community
-
Narrow Definitions of Observance
-
Those Who Return Again
Includes the original web survey.
“Sobering and required reading for anyone involved in any aspect
of Jewish education — whether parent, teacher, rabbi, or citizen-representative
of the Torah community. We are indebted to Faranak Margolese for
studying so thoroughly a crisis too disturbing and painful for
most of us even to consider.”
Lawrence Kelemen, Author of To Kindle
a Soul: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Parents and Teachers
“This is a courageous and necessary book. If Orthodox life takes
it seriously, it will change all of Jewish life for the better.”
Dennis Prager, Best selling author and nationally
syndicated radio talk show host.
“Off the Derech is essential reading for every Jewish parent
and educator concerned with the alienation of our young people.
It is an invaluable source for understanding why observant Jewish
youth leave the fold and a priceless tool for preventing them
from doing so.”
Natan Lopez Cardozo, Dean of The David Cardozo
Academy
A probing book about a sensitive and rarely discussed topic,
why people leave religion. Faranak Margolese seems to have considered
this problem from every angle, interviewed everyone, and offers
answers that can affect the future of Jewish life.”
Joseph Telushkin, Author of Jewish Literacy,
and The Book of Jewish Values.
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