Recommended Resources for Jews

Websites for Jewish Beginners:

To arrange free, private learning about Judaism and Torah:

Free online Judaism classes:

Great Books & Standout Essays

Beginner books about Judaism:

  • To Be a Jew: A Guide to Jewish Observance in Contemporary Life by Rabbi Hayim Halevy Donin (Basic Books, 2019)
  • This is My God by Herman Wouk (audiobook, available on Amazon)
  • Jewish Tradition by Rabbi Eliezer Melamed (Yeshivat Har Bracha, 2024)
  • The Chumash, the Stone Edition: The Torah, Haftaros and Five Megillos with a Commentary Anthologized from the Rabbinic Writings (ArtScroll Mesorah Publications, Ltd. 1993)
  • Letters to Talia by Dov Indig (Gefen Publishing House, 2012)
  • Life is a Test: How to Meet Life’s Challenges Successfully by Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis (K’hal Publishing, 2007)
  • God Winked by Sara Yocheved Rigler (Mekor Press, 2012)
  • Here All Along: Finding Meaning, Spirituality, and a Deeper Connection to Life—in Judaism (after Finally Choosing to Look There) (Random House, 2019) [Highly recommended—in parts; however, it is missing a coherent traditional explanation of the Jewish God]

On faith in God

Deep, classic expositions of Judaism:

  • The Way of God by Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, trans. Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan (Feldheim, 1981)
  • The Kuzari: An Argument for the Faith of Israel, Rabbi Yehudah HaLevi

Organizations helping Jews targeted by missionaries:

For women and men on relationships & marriage:

  • “Loving Jewishly” by Gila Berkowitz, a dynamic essay about mikvah—Read now! 
  • A Hedge of Roses by Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm (Feldheim, 1987)
  • The Jewish Way in Love and Marriage by Rabbi Maurice Lamm (Jonathan David Co, Inc., 2008)
  • The Magic Touch: A Jewish Approach to Relationships by Gila Manolson (Kindle, 2016)
  • Hand’s Off: This May Be Love by Gila Manolson (Lifecodex, 2013)
  • Outside Inside by Gila Manolson (Diamond Press, 2005)
  • Head to Heart: What to Know Before Dating and Marriage by Gila Manolson (Targum, 2002)
  • A Return to Modesty: Discovering the Lost Virtue by Wendy Shalit (Simon and Shuster, 2014)