The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background. CliffsNotes on The Chosen reveals the condition of American Jews living in two cultures, one secular and one religious. In his classic novel, author Chaim Potok is describing not only the lives of the characters but his own life, as well. With this study guide, you’ll be able to walk a mile in the shoes of a Jewish American of the 1940s. You'll also gain insight into the life of Potok and historical influences on this novel. Other features that help you study include Character analyses of major players A character map that graphically illustrates the relationships among the characters Critical essays Review questions and suggested writing topics Discussion of the firm version of the novel and how it compares to the original work Classic literature or modern modern-day treasure — you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

The story of two fathers and two sons and the pressures on all of them to pursue the religion they share in the way that is best suited to each. And as the boys grow into young men, they discover in the other a lost spiritual brother, and a link to an unexplored world that neither had ever considered before. In effect, they exchange places, and find the peace that neither will ever retreat from again.

Powerful strategies, tools, and techniques for educators teaching students critical reading skills in the humanities. Every educator understands the importance of teaching students how to read critically. Even the best teachers, however, find it challenging to translate their own learned critical reading practices into explicit strategies for their students. Critical Reading Across the Curriculum: Humanities, Volume 1 presents exceptional insight into what educators require to facilitate critical and creative thinking skills. Written by scholar-educators from across the humanities, each of the thirteen essays in this volume describes strategies educators have successfully executed to develop critical reading skills in students studying the humanities. These include ways to help students: focus actively re-read and reflect, to re-think, and re-consider understand the close relationship between reading and writing become cognizant of the critical importance of context in critical reading and of making contextual connections learn to ask the right questions in critical reading and reasoning appreciate reading as dialogue, debate, and engaged conversation In addition, teachers will find an abundance of innovative exercises and activities encouraging students to practice their critical reading skills. These can easily be adapted for and applied across many disciplines and course curricula in the humanities. The lifelong benefits of strong critical reading skills are undeniable. Students with properly developed critical reading skills are confident learners with an enriched understanding of the world around them. They advance academically and are prepared for college success. This book arms educators (librarians, high school teachers, university lecturers, and beyond) with the tools to teach a most paramount lesson.

Chaim Potok was a world-class writer and scholar, a Conservative Jew who wrote from and about his tradition and the conflicts between observance and acculturation. With a plain, straightforward style, his novels were set against the moral, spiritual, and intellectual currents of the twentieth century. This collection aims to widen the lens through which we read Chaim Potok and to establish him as an authentic American writer who created unforgettable characters forging American identities for themselves while retaining their Jewish nature. The essays illuminate the central struggle in Potok’s novels, which results from a profound desire to reconcile the appeal of modernity with the pull of traditional Judaism. The volume includes a memoir by Adena Potok and ends with Chaim Potok’s “My Life as a Writer,” a speech he gave at Penn State in 1982. Aside from the editor, the contributors are Victoria Aarons, Nathan P. Devir, Jane Eisner, Susanne Klingenstein, S. Lillian Kremer, Jessica Lang, Sanford E. Marovitz, Kathryn McClymond, Hugh Nissenson, Adena Potok, and Jonathan Rosen.

English teachers Knol and Karsten have composed these moving reflections inspired by a wide range of writers, many of whom they have brought into their classrooms. And while some of their selections will no doubt be familiar to the reader, each of these meditations will kindle new insights. Attuned to the power of the written word, these seasoned teachers contemplate sacred themes, exploring passages from books that they love in light of passages from Scripture.

Lectio divina, the ancient practice of prayerful reading, is a font whose waters are waiting to quench the thirst of spiritual seekers, both beginners on the spiritual journey and experienced travelers. The art of holy reading transforms lives. Through the practice of lectio individuals and communities discover God's living word addressed to them in their particular now," to enlighten, challenge, encourage, and suggest. Reading to Live traces the practice of lectio divina from its roots in the ascetic movement in the early church and monasticism to its rediscovery in recent times. The benefits lectio brings become clear as Origen, Augustine, Bernard, and many others throughout history testify to its power in their lives. Modern commentators from a variety of disciplines spell out lectio's potential for the world of the twenty-first century. This book invites people of all faiths to embrace the Venerable practice of lectio divina. It provides abundant creative testimonies to its practice and to its life-changing effects. Raymond Studzinski, OSB, a monk of St. Meinrad Archabbey in Indiana, is an associate professor in the School of Theology and Religious Studies at The Catholic University of America, Washington DC, where he teaches courses on religious development and spirituality.