I’m often asked what my favorite Jewish websites are, what books I would recommend for people wanting to expand their Jewish knowledge, and in particular, resources that have inspired the Jewish practice I have today.
My favorite by a long shot is Judaism For Beginners – a great online class by Darshan Yeshiva. Save $5.00 off when you use the promo code BJS0418
Here is a small, but growing, list of my favorite resources. Check back every now and then as the list grows.
Authors/Books
General Favorites
Anything by the Bible scholars Robert Alter or Richard Elliott Friedman. These two authors are great for people who want to dig deeper into text from a literary perspective.
A Provocative People by Rabbi Sherwin Wine – though I disagree with his entirely secular understanding of Judaism (as he is the founder of Secular Humanistic Judaism), I nonetheless see this as the single greatest Jewish history book ever written. You can read it in a week and have a Masters degree level of Jewish knowledge.
Jewish With Feeling by Reb Zalman – good balance between the Rationalist and Mystical approaches to Judaism. A great book for someone who wants Judaism to be more about internal spiritual practice than external social demands
Websites
For People Embracing Judaism For the First(ish) Time
My Jewish Learning – a great post-denominational website that will give you a range of Jewish opinions on everything from God to latke recipes.
Chabad.org – not my favorite theologically and as its an Orthodox, denominational website, it only focuses on its own approach. However, the site is great for someone who wants to get a beginner understanding of traditional Judaism, through the lens of Hasidism. Also good for beginner Torah/text study.
Kveller – best Jewish parenting website. Tends to be a bit click-bait oriented, so fair warning.
For People Who Want/Wanted To Be Rabbis
JewishPluralism.org – Pluralistic Rabbinical Seminary. The world’s only, fully online rabbinical seminary with Orthodox, Reform and Conservative rabbis and educators.
TheTorah.com – Arguably the greatest Jewish educational resource on the Internet. And I build Jewish educational websites, so that is saying something. If you want to understand the literary and archeological perspective on the Bible, this is it. Period.
MechonMamre – every rabbi uses this website. Great for working through Biblical and non-Biblical text. Website is a bit dated but it’s still up for a reason.
Halachipedia – exactly what it sounds like.
