Powerful life lessons in a funny and moving portrait of family, community and spiritual discovery in America.

"I am the best boy in the United States of America. That's what my grandfather my 'Zaydie' called me from the time I was a little child in Omaha, Nebraska. I know it's true because this is a true story. All my stories are true...."Zaydie loved three things: his family, his business, and his adopted country the United States of America. I never, ever heard Zaydie say 'the United States.' It was always 'da United States of America, in his thick Russian accent.... For Louie Paperny, each one of his nine grandchildren was the best boy or the best girl in the United States of America. We believed him. I believed him. And in a certain way, I've lived the rest of my life trying to be that best boy."
from Chapter 1

Hilarious and heartfelt, Ron Wolfson s inspiring memoir is filled with stories of growing up in a warm family, encountering colorful characters like the merchants of Omaha and the famous Warren Buffett, navigating adolescence and learning never to underestimate his mother.With easygoing Midwestern humor and profound poignancy, Ron s "true stories" of family and community in the United States of America will resonate with anyone seeking to shape stronger families, create compelling communities and live their best life, a life of joy and laughter, meaning and purpose, and, yes, blessings and kisses."

How to transform the model of twentieth-century Jewish institutions into twenty-first-century relational communities offering meaning and purpose, belonging and blessing.

"What really matters is that we care about the people we seek to engage. When we genuinely care about people, we will not only welcome them; we will listen to their stories, we will share ours, and we will join together to build a Jewish community that enriches our lives." from the Introduction

Membership in Jewish organizations is down. Day school enrollment has peaked. Federation campaigns are flat. The fastest growing and second largest category of Jews is Just Jewish. Young Jewish adults are unengaged and aging baby boomers are disengaging. Yet, in the era of Facebook, people crave face-to-face community.

It's all about relationships. With this simple, but profound idea, noted educator and community revitalization pioneer Dr. Ron Wolfson presents practical strategies and case studies to transform the old model of Jewish institutions into relational communities. He sets out twelve principles of relational engagement to guide Jewish lay leaders, professionals and community members in transforming institutions into inspiring communities whose value-proposition is to engage people and connect them to Judaism and community in meaningful and lasting ways."

A practical guide for envisioning and transforming your synagogue into a powerful new congregation of welcoming, learning and healing. "The new synagogue we envision is a spiritual center for all those who set foot inside it. It is a kehillah kedoshah, a sacred community, where relationships are paramount, where worship is engaging, where everyone is learning, where repair of the world is a moral imperative, where healing is offered, where personal and institutional transformation are embraced. The times are ripe for this spiritual call." from the Introduction So often we want our congregations to be more more compelling, more member-focused, more spiritual and yet more useful for our daily lives. Through reflection, examples, tips and exercises and incorporating the fruits of Synagogue 2000 (now Synagogue 3000), a groundbreaking decade-long program investigating the challenges facing modern synagogues this inspiring handbook both establishes a sound foundation for why a deep hospitality is crucial for the survival of today's spiritual communities, and dives into the practical hands-on how of turning your congregation into a place of invitation and openness that includes: Prayer that is engaging, uplifting and spiritually moving Institutional deepening that is possible because of an openness to change Study that engages adults and families, as well as children Good deeds the work of social justice as a commitment of each and every member An ambience of welcome that creates a culture of warmth and outreach Healing that offers comfort and support at times of illness and loss ... and much more."

How can my congregation become more vital?
How can we both honor the past and embrace the future?

" The Self-Renewing Congregation]" calls for renewal from within, not without a renewal that begins with institutional self-reflection, proceeds through a process of self-engagement, and ends with self-generated innovations that can deepen the synagogue congregation as a sacred community. The core of this book offers any congregation seeking this path a compelling and realistic roadmap, a vision, and a process that is rooted in applied research and practical experience. from the Foreword by Dr. Ron Wolfson, codeveloper, Synagogue 2000;
author of "Shabbat: The Family Guide to Preparing for and Celebrating the Sabbath"

Revitalizing and re-imagining the organization of our synagogues takes work Combining expert advice and experience garnered from congregations throughout North America, " The Self-Renewing Congregation" shows us how transformative change is possible. A complete resource full of ideas, information, and support, this is a guide for those of us involved in, or interested in, energizing our spiritual communities.

Isa Aron, founding director of Hebrew Union College s Experiment in Congregational Education (ECE), offers concrete, practical information on how to bring about change through collaborative leadership, and helps us grow dynamic, successful congregations.

How-to guide for the beginner and the experienced. An exploration of the spiritual meaning of the Jewish Sabbath. New edition, expanded to cover all of Shabbat, includes:
- History and meaning
- Rituals and blessings (step-by-step)
- Songs and prayers in English, Hebrew, and Yiddish (with clear transliterations)
- Recipes
- Activities to enhance the experience

The interactive workbook companion to the classic guide to Passover celebration
"Passover: The Family Guide to Spiritual Celebration."

Intended for adults who want to deepen their spiritual experience of the most celebrated Jewish holiday, this indispensable, educational workbook is full of worksheets, activities, recipes, and advice for making your Passover observance fun, meaningful and stress free.

Designed to be used in conjunction with "Passover: The Family Guide to Spiritual Celebration" and its companion audiocassette of the blessings and songs.

Become a real superhero Learn how to use the powers God gave you to continue the work of creation and repair the world.

"We don't have to pretend to use the powers God has given us. These powers are real and they are super Our God shares God s powers with us so we can make our lives better and the lives of others better. When we learn how to use God s superpowers, we become God s partners God s superheroes on earth." from the Introduction

This inspirational guide for kids ages eight to twelve is a marvel, showing them (and their families) that it s easy to become God s partner on earth: figure out what God does in the Bible, then do it

God creates, blesses, rests, calls, comforts, cares, repairs, wrestles, gives and forgives. For each of God s superpowers, Dr. Ron Wolfson gives kids stories and suggestions for what might be on their own God s to-do list the many ways they can use their superpowers to make a difference in the lives of others, and find meaning and purpose for their own."

Create a meaningful and happy Hanukkah in your home with story, celebration, food and song.

This newly-designed, easy-to-use edition of a classic spiritual sourcebook offers updated information, more family ideas, and new resources for every aspect of your holiday celebration.

Information on every aspect of Hanukkah is covered, including: The story of Hanukkah Celebrating for families of every constellation Songs and prayers in English, Hebrew, and Yiddish (with clear transliterations) Recipes for traditional and modern Hanukkah foods December Dilemmas coping with other traditions celebrations Firsthand explanations and ideas from real-life families around America

Hands-on advice and practical suggestions invite families into Hanukkah s spirituality and joys, from the making of luscious latkes and Hanukkah crafts to the stories of the heroism and the miracle that are remembered every year with the lighting of the "hanukkiyah."

A Step-by-Step Guide for Honoring the Dead and Empowering the Living

When someone dies, there are so many questions from what to do in the moment of grief, to dealing with the practical details of the funeral, to spiritual concerns about the meaning of life and death. This indispensable guide to Jewish mourning and comfort provides traditional and modern insights into every aspect of loss. In a new, easy-to-use format, this classic resource is full of wise advice to help you cope with death and comfort others when they are bereaved.

Dr. Ron Wolfson takes you step by step through the mourning process, including the specifics of funeral preparations, preparing the home and family to sit "shiva," and visiting the grave. Special sections deal with helping young children grieve, mourning the death of an infant or child, and more.

Wolfson captures the poignant stories of people in all stages of grieving children, spouses, parents, rabbis, friends, non-Jews and provides new strategies for reinvigorating and transforming the Jewish ways we mourn, grieve, remember, and carry on with our lives after the death of a loved one.