Chicken Soup with Chopsticks

By Jack Botwinik

Book Overview

This true story depicts the challenges a Jew is confronted with in dating a Chinese woman, and how this interfaith relationship leads them both to become committed to Judaism. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0973252316
• ISBN13: 9780973252316
• Release Date: October 2006
• Publisher: Paper Spider
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.74 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Wisdom for all Seekers

I couldn't put it down from start to finish. The human journey within is so easily identifiable, whether you're affiliated or non-affiliated to a religion, everyone will benefit from its words of wisdom.

Introspective Baal Teshuvah Story; less about conversion than religious growth

This is truly Botwinik's story; his girlfriend (now wife) Belinda (now Bina Ester) appears only in glimpses, but although it is ostensibly a conversion story, it is more a fascinating tale of Botwinik's own "Baal Teshuvah" journey towards traditionally observant Judaism. This is a journey I've taken myself, so can definitely relate to the themes in the book... and the settings, too, are familiar from my own hours across the table from the central Bais Din which oversees conversions here in Toronto. Botwinik is honest to the extreme, and the book is written with great clarity, which sometimes gives it an overly introspective (read: navelgazing) tone. Nevertheless, this would be a helpful book for anyone thinking they may land on on either side of the interdating-to-frum-Jew (frum = religious) or non-Jew-to-frum-Jew coin. This is NOT the book I would give to somebody in an interfaith relationship to convince a partner to convert (what would I offer? Maybe Dennis Prager's Nine Questions or Kelemen's Permission to Believe). This is not even a book I would suggest giving to non-Jewish or non-religious friends or family to explain religious transitions in one's own life (for that, I'd recommend a heartfelt personal letter!). This book presupposes a level of understanding and agreement on the part of the reader which makes it just right for exactly the right audience... and kinda wrong for the wrong audience. Hard to describe, but if you suspect yourself are on the derech (way, ie towards Torah observance), this book may prove very helpful, in part for its glimpses of the nitty gritty of the bais din conversion process. I would have been happier with more chopsticks and less chicken soup - as a born-Jewish Baalas Teshuvah, I already *know* the chicken soup stuff! :-) But this book still has its place on many bookshelves... I hope it finds its way to yours.

An account of candor, insight, reflection, and experience

Over 50% of American Jews intermarry. In an effort to counter the cultural assimilation arising from interfaith relationships, Rabbis, community leaders, and family members struggle to educate Jewish men and women of what the consequent issues of a mixed marriage will invoke ranging from pressure from a spouse to convert, to keeping kosher, to circumcision of newborn males, to raising children as Jewish, to avoiding family gatherings to the emotional pain of a gentile spouse. Chicken Soup With Chopsticks: A Jew's Struggle For Truth In An Interfaith Relationship by Jack Botwinik is a personal example of one man's efforts within the framework of his own interfaith courtship and marriage to a Chinese woman and how the two of them dealt with the unfolding consequences of their interfaith relationship. An account of candor, insight, reflection, and experience, also available in a hardcover edition, Chicken Soup With Chopsticks is a unique and thoroughly "reader friendly" contribution to the growing library of books on the subject of contemporary Judaism and Interfaith Marriage.

Don't forget the Kreplach and Wontons!!!

This book is tasty!!! Just like both Chinese and Jewish food. The author Jack Botwinik has the ability to really bring you personally right into his struggle, as you are truly there with them in their journey. I felt that I actually heared the author as well as all the other characters speaking to me. Like I really got to know them, and I could not put the book down as I was so excited to see what would end up happening. I learned many things about Judaism, Chinese culture, mysticism, the conversion process, relationships and dating, other religions and philosophies, and life in general. All on a very personal level.Thanks Jack for a GREAT read and for bringing me into your life!