2023 Reference Book of the Year from the Academy of Parish Clergy

Throughout our history, Jews have traditionally responded to our trials with hope, psychologist David Arnow says, because we have had ready access to Judaism’s abundant reservoir of hope.
              
The first book to plumb the depths of this reservoir, Choosing Hope journeys from biblical times to our day to explore nine fundamental sources of hope in Judaism: 
 

Teshuvah-the method to fulfill our hope to become better human beings
Tikkun Olam-the hope that we can repair the world by working together
Abraham and Sarah-models of persisting in hope amid trials
Exodus-the archetype of redemptive hope
Covenant-the hope for a durable relationship with the One of Being
Job-the “hard-fought hope” that brings a grief-stricken man back to life
World to Come-the sustaining hope that death is not the end
Israel-high hope activists work to build a just and inclusive society for all Israelis
Jewish Humor-“hope’s last weapon” in our darkest days
 

Grounded in a contemporary theology that situates the responsibility for creating a better world in human hands, with God acting through us, Choosing Hope can help us both affirm hope in times of trial and transmit our deepest hopes to the next generation.