The Jewish Phenomenon: Seven Keys to the Enduring Wealth of a People

I have hesitated in writing a review for THE JEWISH PHENOMENON for some time now, the reason being the obviously controversial nature of this topic. As we all know, many have used Jewish success as a means of building propaganda against the Jewish people, saying that Jews are successful because they have robbed others of the ability to be successful. Further, there is some alleged inherent ability of Jews to make money, an ability the rest of us are not born with.... Well, THE JEWISH PHENOMENON shows that this is all wrong. What Jewish culture has is simply a very practical approach to life and money, an approach that can be emulated by people of any ethnicity, religion, national origin, etc. This approach is founded on the belief that money itself is not evil. In fact, Silbiger claims that in Judaism it is viewed as an honorable goal to want to be rich. There's so much in THE JEWISH PHENOMENON that I'd like to comment on, but for sake of brevity I will focus on the points that had the greatest impact on me. Steven Silbiger makes it apparent that one of the keys to Jewish success is the freedom of the Jewish intellect (Jews make up merely 1% of the general population, but 20% of Nobel Prize winners are Jewish). Silbiger contrasts the religious Jewish upbringing with the Christian religious upbringing, noting that in religious classes Jewish children are encouraged to ask questions. Christian children are given answers and are often discouraged from asking questions - often, to question is the near occasion of sin, an indication of lack of faith (this was certainly my experience in Catholic school). This sets a vastly different foundation for the Jewish child versus the Christian child. Silbiger theorizes that the Jewish child will carry this attitude of questioning on into the rest of his life, and this leads to a willingness to look at situations in new ways, to try new things, to be an entrepreneur. (Interestingly, Silbiger claims that Jewish people, in defiance of the usual trend, typically become more liberal as their wealth increases.) THE JEWISH PHENOMENON came into my life at a synchronistic time because I had just begun my study of the American education system, and Silbiger says that a reverence for education is one of the most important keys to Jewish success. In WHAT SMART STUDENTS KNOW, Adam Robinson argues that school distorts the learning process and has everything backwards: in the classroom setting it is usually teachers who ask the questions and students who give the answers. The problem with this system, Robinson says, is that the teachers are doing the hard part; it is in asking the questions that one is made to think. Knowing the "answers" is not as strenuous (it often entails mere memorization). Are you getting my point? Robinson says that if you want to be a smart student then you must realize that asking questions is more important than knowing the answers; Silbiger says that a key to Jewish success is a reverence for ed

At first, it was the title of this book, and the long line at one of the Border's bookstores that attracted me to this book. And I am happy that I came back, a week later, because I knew that Steve Silbiger wrote something that would benefit me.Many years ago, I had chosen to read what I called, "The Jewish Books." These included books by Leon Uris, Chaim Potok, Herman Wouk, and many others.Back then, I was searching for what my cultural and family upbringing did not encourage in me, skills that I knew are taught in the Jewish life. The "Jewish books", and the desires that I had, over the years, to become my best self, led me to not only become a strong journalist, but also someone who teaches speaking up and critical thinking skills, in my seminars.In my upbringing, and in my culture, which is African-American, I had been taught to cut off my thoughts and feelings, in the face of authority figures. But a little voice inside of me, from as young as 5 years old said that I will not limit my true self. I had decided that I could be Black, proud, and an expert on speaking through my own voice. And this certainly has paid off for me.Having just read, "The Jewish Phenomenon," I am further along on my path. As a business owner who dares to be unique, I must push the envelop for the power that Jews see in being money conscious.I am impressed with this book on many levels:1. Steve Silbiger uses humor and concrete ideas to reinforce his ideas2. He points out the down side, as well, about the Jewish self- esteem3. He opened my eyes to the fact that Jews are labeled as being of an ethnic group - I truly hadn't thought of them as such4. In just under 200 pages there is so much that anyone could gleem from, to find answers to questions that they have only began to explore.What I still have trouble with, having read this book is Steve Siulbiger's stance of ethnic jokes; yet, everyone one of the Jewish jokes in each of the chapters made me laugh, deeply. This book is written for anyone who desires to endlessly grow, and to learn from people who have mastered skills in networking, beating the odds, and living within your mission.

Steve Silbiger's "The Jewish Phenomenon" was a real eye opener for me. I was raised in a close-knit Irish Catholic environment and rarely had contact with Jews or other non-Catholics as a child. I finally met, lived with, and made lifelong friends with Jews at Princeton (undergrad), Columbia (MBA), and in the work world. But even after these experiences as a university student and a working adult, I never really understood what Jewish culture was all about or what accounted for the great success of the Jewish people in the face of many serious threats they had encountered over the centuries. "The Jewish Phenomenon" has given me valuable insight into seven principles that have allowed Jews to contribute to society far beyond their numbers. Just as important, I can look at my own conservative, risk averse background and use the seven principles that Silbiger highlights to help improve my chances of entrepreneurial success as a small business owner in the computer technology field.

Steven Silbiger's "The Jewish Phenomenon" just published is brilliant. Never has anyone better told the story of nor made so understandable the extraordinary success of Jewish Americans individually and collectively. I do not know how his book will be received in the Jewish community but he should be lionized. Mr. Silbiger has been able to do what no one has done so well before lift the "mystery" from the unparalleled achievements of Jewish Americans for more than century. And what he tells us with riveting intelligence is there is no mystery (certainly no conspiracy whatever that means). At the individual level, at the family level, at the community level, and as he calls it the tribal level Jews "religiously" employ a series of principles to their lives and to their beliefs that virtually insures success. These accessible keys are available to all of us.Beginning with a glorious introduction Steven Silbiger offers "seven keys to Jewish success" and spends the next 200 pages weaving a torah like tome to enchant anyone with any interest in the dynamics of success and community, and as Steven begins his book prophetically, by stating " .....this book can be applied to individuals and groups from any background." His fascinating thesis will only disappoint those who see their own imperfections magnified glaringly in the achievements of others.