Lovesong: Becoming a Jew

I am a multiracial woman who discovered her Jewish roots when her mother explained that she was Jewish and that I was named for my Jewish family from Eastern Europe as a teenager. I am now finding my way back to Judaism and my heritage and I've encountered the same hostility with African-Americans to the point I no longer associate with the local community. Its very hard to be multiracial, black, and Jewish. But like Lester, in the end, I just had to find the courage to be myself.

Lester explores writes a revealing and deeply personal memoir of his spiritual searching and arrival at the Jewish faith. I west extremely moved by his candor as he describes his efforts to harmonize the various facets of his identity, as well as his honesty about the pitfalls he faced on the way. Jews believe that those who choose judaism are not converting, but comming home. Lester's work is wonderful in that it lets the reader join him on this home coming. He willingly reveals the pain and the joy of this personal awakening. A wonderful read for anyone who struggles with faith and a great message that there can be light at the end of that tunnel.

Lester writes a remarkable account of his spiritual journey through life, culminating in his conversion to Judaism. Many of us are familiar with Lester's activism in the civil rights movement and with his children's books. I did not realize he was Jewish until I read this book, but he carries us along with him as he comes to terms with his spirituality. His journey has a compelling quality, as though he were called to his new faith by God, which adds an interesting inevitability to a sometimes circuitous tale. I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in Lester, African-American or Judaic studies, or well-written autobiographies.

This very beautiful book strongly influenced my family's own Jewish observance. Lester's journey to Judaism was plagued with self-doubts, familial fear and uncertainty, and suspicion and disdain from his peers and friends. Through it all, he lovingly describes the unending pull of Judaism and how he eventually found himself and his place in the world.

A total surprise! From laughter to tears and back within a few pages. This is the story of a one-time black activist who becomes a Jew, and in the process discovers a bit of Jewish ancestry. Beautifully written (Julius Lester is, among other things, an acclaimed children's author) and very moving, this book has delighted everyone to whom I've lent or given it. We're on our third or fourth copy now...