We asked GesherEU members to recommend books that had resonated with them, whether novels or non-fiction. Here are the top ten:
We asked GesherEU members to recommend books that had resonated with them, whether novels or non-fiction. Here are the top ten:
The personal story of a religious, divorced Jewish husband and father who chooses to live a secular life in New York City.
A GesherEU member says: “I found it to be a good reflection of people leaving the community.”
A fascinating exploration of the most important scientific discovery of all time – the Big Bang theory.
AGesherEU member says: “The story of how humans explained the universe throughout history, and how our understanding evolved over the centuries.”
A memoir of leaving the ultra-orthodox community in New York, now also a major Netflix drama series.
The powerful coming-of-age story of an ultra-Orthodox child who was born to become a rabbinic leader and instead became a woman.
A memoir about one young woman’s desperate attempt to protect her children and family while also embracing her queer identity in a controlling Hasidic community.
The classic story of a friendship between two Jewish boys from different backgrounds.
A GesherEU member says: “Potok is an incredible writer.”
A novel about a woman who returns to the ultra-orthodox community In London where she grows up and confronts her past.
A GesherEU member says: “A great read but I could tell the author didn’t grow up in the Charedi community.”
One of the world’s preeminent historians and thinkers, Yuval Noah Harari challenges everything we know about being human.
A GesherEU member says: “This puts humankind and religion into perspective.”
A brutally funny coming-of-age memoir about a man growing up in – and then breaking free from – the ultra-orthodox community.
A GesherEU member says: “So funny and brilliantly written. The way he showed the crazy logic behind some of the rules we grew up with! Totally made me an atheist!”
FREEDOM – CHOICE – COMMUNITY
GesherEU supports people in the UK who have either left a Charedi community, or are considering doing so, to integrate into the wider world.
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