Our Lives As Torah

CAROL OCHS is director of Graduate Studies and Visiting Professor of Philosophy at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York City. She holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Brandeis University and taught philosophy at Simmons College in Boston.

• Foreword by Rabbi Lawrence Kushner. Searching for Meaning. Forming Our Story. Committing to Love. Enduring Suffering. Undertaking Our Work. Claiming Our Bodies. Engaging in Prayer. Living in Community. Confronting Death. Encountering God. Epilogue. References.

"A most intriguing book! What is it? A work of theology? Personal reflection and childhood memories? Biblical commentary? Psychotherapeutic exploration of the unconscious, epic stories of love and loss, a self-help guide, poetry of the soul, a book of healing? Suddenly the mind penetrates to the core of this work and grasps its inner meaning: it is all of the above and more. This is a poignantly beautiful work of theological understanding." (Blu Greenberg, author of On Women and Judaism and How to Run a Traditional Jewish Household) "A moving and inspiring book that should be read by anyone wishing to have a richer, deeper life. Ochs's approach to Jewish theology will be helpful to people of all faiths and to those in search of faith." (Professor Susannah Heschel, author of Abraham Geiger and the Jewish Jesus) "Through her powerful stories, piercing intellect, and challenging commentary, [Ochs] enables each of us to discover God's presence in all that happens to us." (Rabbi Norman J. Cohen, provost, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion) "With uncommon wisdom, Carol Ochs blends the discipline of theology with the art of story-telling to help us achieve the kind of self-awareness that can only enrich our lives." (Neil Gillman, professor of Jewish philosophy, The Jewish Theological Seminary) "Show[s] us how to find ancient hints?a curved leaf here, a splash of water there?that help us shape a path that is ours alone, yet God's as well." (Rabbi Arthur Waskow, director of the Shalom Center and author of Godwrestling? Round 2 and Down-to-Earth Judaism) "Anyone seeking to sanctify his or her life, in all of its detail, will be enriched and enlightened by this book." (Jacob J. Staub, vice president for academic affairs, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College)