This is more than a book of facts. To turn its pages is to explore the wonder and excitement and awesome adventure of what it means to be a Jew . . . to stride through the grandeur of your inheritance, spanning the ages and the continents and the seas from Ur of the Chaldees and Pharaonic Egypt to present-day Israel and America.

A comprehensive look at Jewish history, religion, and culture covers major events in Jewish history, current events, biographies of famous and notable Jews, social and cultural aspects of Judaism, traditions and folklore, and more.

Named one of Library Journal’s Best Religion & Spirituality Books of the Year An Unorthodox Guide to Everything Jewish Deeply knowing, highly entertaining, and just a little bit irreverent, this unputdownable encyclopedia of all things Jewish and Jew-ish covers culture, religion, history, habits, language, and more. Readers will refresh their knowledge of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs, the artistry of Barbra Streisand, the significance of the Oslo Accords, the meaning of words like balaboosta,balagan, bashert, and bageling. Understand all the major and minor holidays. Learn how the Jews invented Hollywood. Remind themselves why they need to read Hannah Arendt, watch Seinfeld, listen to Leonard Cohen. Even discover the secret of happiness (see “Latkes”). Includes hundreds of photos, charts, infographics, and illustrations. It’s a lot.