We asked GesherEU members to recommend books that had resonated with them, whether novels or non-fiction. Here are the top ten:
All Who Go Do Not Return by Shulem Dean

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.”
Big Bang by Simon Singh

A fascinating exploration of the most important scientific discovery of all time – the Big Bang theory.
A GesherEU member says: “The story of how humans explained the universe throughout history, and how our understanding evolved over the centuries.”
Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots by Deborah Feldman

A memoir of leaving the ultra-orthodox community in New York, now also a major Netflix drama series.
Becoming Eve by Abby Chava Stein

The powerful coming-of-age story of an ultra-Orthodox child who was born to become a rabbinic leader and instead became a woman.
Kissing girls on Shabbat by Sara Glass

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 Chosen by Chaim Potok

The classic story of a friendship between two Jewish boys from different backgrounds.
A GesherEU member says: “Potok is an incredible writer.”
Disobedience by Naomi Alderman

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.”
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari

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.”
Foreskin’s Lament by Shalom Auslander

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!”
Any way to get my book on the list? : )
A graphic novel / memoir about my experiences growing up Orthodox Jewish and gay, called Gaytheist: Coming Out of My Orthodox Childhood – https://www.amazon.com/Gaytheist-Coming-Out-Orthodox-Childhood/dp/1951491270/