Alan King -- the beloved comic, actor, producer, author, philanthropist, and storyteller extraordinaire -- has compiled a wonderfully readable book about growing up Jewish, with totally original contributions by famous people. Combining warmhearted humor with a prideful nostalgia, these essays discuss life in the Jewish family and neighborhood, being a Jew in a non-Jewish world, Jewish holidays, and discovering the essence of being Jewish.

Memoirs, autobiographies, and diaries represent the most personal and most intimate of genres, as well as one of the most abundant and popular. Gain new understanding and better serve your readers with this detailed genre guide to nearly 700 titles that also includes notes on more than 2,800 read-alike and other related titles. The popularity of this body of literature has grown in recent years, and it has also diversified in terms of the types of stories being told—and persons telling them. In the past, readers' advisors have depended on access by names or Dewey classifications and subjects to help readers find autobiographies they will enjoy. This guide offers an alternative, organizing the literature according to popular genres, subgenres, and themes that reflect common reading interests. Describing titles that range from travel and adventure classics and celebrity autobiographies to foodie memoirs and environmental reads, Life Stories: A Guide to Reading Interests in Memoirs, Autobiographies, and Diaries presents a unique overview of the genre that specifically addresses the needs of readers' advisors and others who work with readers in finding books.

Explore the richness and diversity of Jewish heritage and history with this expansive volume of quotes from Jewish figures. Immerse yourself in the stirring words of Jewish poets and scholars, politicians and performers, artists and visionaries from ancient to contemporary times. Wherever dispersed in exile or in the Land of Israel, Jews have survived and flourished for nearly four millennia, and made a distinctive mark on world culture. Read their words and draw inspiration from their life stories in this celebratory and life-affirming volume. Featuring the striking artwork of Jewish artists from around the world, Jewish Voices gives inspiration and hope to all. The inspirational quotes include: "Though we come from different cultures and totally different worlds, we all want the same things—to provide a good environment for our kids to grow up in. To laugh and share experiences with family and friends. To see our children grow up and achieve their dreams." –Ben Stiller, Actor, filmmaker, comedian "Judaism teaches that each person is an entire world. Every one of you is here to do your part for something that is more lasting and significant than yourself. What you create will ripple out from you into the world in ways you cannot possibly imagine. While the vastness of awe can make you feel very small, it also calls you to transcend yourself to moral beauty." –Angela Buchdahl, East Asian-American Senior Rabbi of Central Synagogue, New York City "I cannot and will not cut my conscience to fit this year's fashions." –Lillian Hellman, Playwright, memoirist, screenwriter Covering a wide variety of topics, including family, activism, spirituality, feminism, and more, some of the other Jewish voices featured are: Golda Meir, Fourth prime minister of Israel Rachel Goldberg-Polin, American Israeli activist Theodor Herzl, Playwright, novelist, and journalist Melinda Strauss, Jewish content creator, kosher cookbook author Jonathan Sacks, English Orthodox rabbi, philosopher, theologian, and author Jerry Seinfeld, American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and producer Chanie Apfelbaum, Writer, cookbook author, lifestyle influencer, blogger Yitzhak Rabin, Israeli politician, statesman, and general Emma Lazarus, Jewish activist, author, and poet Hen Mazzig, Writer, educator, activist And many more Throughout the pages, thoughtful mini-biographies give important to context to who the inspirational speakers are, from rabbis to influencers, while their voices come to life through the colorful works of art by Jewish artists, such as: Chavi Feldman, Canadian-born, now living in Israel (Instagram: @ketubot.by.chavi; Etsy: etsy.com/shop/TheHolyLandArtShoppe) Eleyor Snir, Israeli-born, now living in Canada (Instagram: @eley.ori; Website: eleyori.com/) If you are Jewish, Jewish Voices will enrich your pride in your Jewish identity. If you are not Jewish, this book will expand your appreciation for the Jewish community. People from all cultures and walks of life will feel inspired, empowered, uplifted, and motivated to discover new perspectives.

This unique encyclopedia chronicles American Jewish popular culture, past and present in music, art, food, religion, literature, and more. Over 150 entries, written by scholars in the field, highlight topics ranging from animation and comics to Hollywood and pop psychology. Without the profound contributions of American Jews, the popular culture we know today would not exist. Where would music be without the music of Bob Dylan and Barbra Streisand, humor without Judd Apatow and Jerry Seinfeld, film without Steven Spielberg, literature without Phillip Roth, Broadway without Rodgers and Hammerstein? These are just a few of the artists who broke new ground and changed the face of American popular culture forever. This unique encyclopedia chronicles American Jewish popular culture, past and present in music, art, food, religion, literature, and more. Over 150 entries, written by scholars in the field, highlight topics ranging from animation and comics to Hollywood and pop psychology. Up-to-date coverage and extensive attention to political and social contexts make this encyclopedia is an excellent resource for high school and college students interested in the full range of Jewish popular culture in the United States. Academic and public libraries will also treasure this work as an incomparable guide to our nation's heritage. Illustrations complement the text throughout, and many entries cite works for further reading. The volume closes with a selected, general bibliography of print and electronic sources to encourage further research.

For much of the twentieth century, the New York Jewish deli rivaled-- and in some ways surpassed-- the synagogue as the primary gathering place for the Jewish community. The deli, argues Merwin, reached its full flowering not in the immigrant period but in the interwar era, when the children of Jewish immigrants celebrated the first flush of their success in America by downing sandwiches and cheesecake in theater district delis. But it was the kosher deli that followed Jews to the outer boroughs of the city, and became the most tangible symbol of their continuing desire to maintain a connection to their heritage.

"Examines the nature and significance of synagogue music in contemporary Jewish life, with special emphasis on Cantor William Sharlin"--Provided by publisher.