Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #367371 in Books
• Published on: 2004-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 260 pages

From Publishers Weekly
In February 2002, Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl was brutally murdered by terrorists in Karachi, Pakistan. Just before he died, he said, "My father is Jewish, my mother is Jewish, I am Jewish." His parents decided to honor his memory by asking several hundred Jews to record their reactions to his words-statements that form the core of this book. Most of the 146 contributors are well-known authors, educators, rabbis, reporters, entertainers and political figures, including Joseph Lieberman, Michael Medved, Dennis Prager, Elie Wiesel, Dianne Feinstein, Kerri Strug, Richard Dreyfuss and Wendy Wasserstein. The length of their statements varies from a sentence or two to essays that cover several pages. Their thoughts are organized around the five basic themes of identity; heritage; covenant, chosenness and faith; humanity; and tikkun ha'olam (repairing the world). The respondents provide anecdotes, theological formulations, personal reactions, biblical references and historical reflections, ranging widely from the superficial to the profound. Among the few Israeli contributors is Avrum Burg, an outspoken critic of the Sharon government and its policies. He argues eloquently that being a Jew places on him a special obligation to work for peace. Others place different constructions on what it means to be Jewish. Lack of consensus highlights the extreme variations in Jewish views, indicating that one value of this collection is its demonstration that a healthy diversity of opinion continues to characterize the Jewish community.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
Judea and Ruth Pearl are the parents of Daniel Pearl, the Wall Street Journal reporter who was murdered by terrorists in Pakistan in 2002, and whose final words were, "My father is Jewish, my mother is Jewish, I am Jewish." The book contains statements by 146 contributors expressing what being Jewish means to them. They range from major essays to a paragraph or a sentence from scholars, entertainers, authors, rabbis, and others, covering the religious, professional, and political spectrum. Responses have been placed into four categories: identity; heritage; covenant, chosenness, and faith; humanity; and tikkun ha'olam ("repairing the world") and justice. Among the contributors are A. B. Yehoshua, Daniel Schoff, Mike Wallace, Norman Lear, Kitty Dukakis, Shimon Peres, Cynthia Ozick, and Larry King. A fitting tribute to Daniel Pearl. George Cohen
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Customer Reviews

Stirring tribute to Daniel Pearl
In the wake of tragedy, many survivors, in the face of their immense pain and suffering, are admirably capable of enriching and inspiring the lives of others by means of their particular response. In this unique work, the parents of Daniel Pearl (may G-d avenge his blood) utilize his words uttered only moments before his death, "I am Jewish," to enable others to reflect on their own Jewishness through presenting the "personal reflections" of over 140 extremely diverse Jews on the subject. From rabbis to actors to politicians to journalists to philosphers to authors and more, we learn of what it means to be Jewish. From younger people to the religious to the secular to the famous to the non-famous, we further grapple with the implications of our own Jewishness to our everyday lives. The essays are divided into five categories: 1. Identity 2. Heritage 3. Covenant, Chosenness, and Faith 4. Humanity and Ethnicity 5. Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World) and Justice. To my delight, the thoughts of Dennis Prager, one of my favorite thinkers and writers, are included. To conclude, let me share with you one of my favorite essays in the book, authored by the comic, actress, and writer, Sarah Silverman: "Remember the guy who smashed all the idols in the idol store? His mother had a heart attack when she saw the mess, but I'm sure she bragged about it later. That's us. That's me. I am Jewish."

A beautiful book for ANYONE
I had to respond to the criticism that this book is only for the "narrow Jewish community". I thought exploring various people's thoughts on what it means to be Jewish was an excellent idea. I am not Jewish and I felt the book was aimed at me as much as is it at Jewish people. Daniel Pearl's last words were "I am Jewish", so why not explore what this means? This was not intended as a biography - his wife has written a book, and there are others that deal with Daniel Pearl as an individual and in the larger context of his murder and terrorism.

This seemed to me to be a very positive means of celebrating his life. I thought the stories were interesting and felt it did what it set out to do.

Wow - wow - wow
An overwhelming and incredible book!!!