Rating: 
Summary: The Jewish Phenomenon
Review: This book is written to help and educate Jews and people of other faiths alike. This book explains the reasons behind the past and current great success of Jewish People. It explains why this is so prevalent in the Jewish People, and their values concerning education and the use of money. This book will be a source of renewed Jewish pride for those Jews who have lost sight of, or never knew the extent of the contributions of the current Jewish population.
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Summary: Emulating Jewish Success
Review: Why are Jews so successful in a wide range of professions and industries? Steven Silberger says it has nothing to do with inherent genius, but rather is the result of certain Jewish cultural habits that non-Jewish people can emulate.Silberger's book is arranged in seven chapters to highlight the seven traits he thinks helps Jews to be successful. Some of them -- such as "Successful People are Professionals and Entrepreneurs" -- are probably not that relevatory to those already looking to make a name for themselves, but others -- like "Develop your Verbal Confidence" -- might be useful for many Americans (who distrust a too easy facility with language). Having previously read some of the source material that Silberger used for the "The Jewish Phenomenon", I was familiar with the successful track record of American Jews. But the catalogue of Jewish accomplishment he highlights here is still impressive, even to one already familiar with it. If you have no interest in reading self-help books, you still might find this book interesting for that reason alone.
Rating:
Summary: Emulating Jewish Success
Review: Why are Jews so successful in a wide range of professions and industries? Steven Silberger says it has nothing to do with inherent genius, but rather is the result of certain Jewish cultural habits that non-Jewish people can emulate. Silberger's book is arranged in seven chapters to highlight the seven traits he thinks helps Jews to be successful. Some of them -- such as "Successful People are Professionals and Entrepreneurs" -- are probably not that relevatory to those already looking to make a name for themselves, but others -- like "Develop your Verbal Confidence" -- might be useful for many Americans (who distrust a too easy facility with language). Having previously read some of the source material that Silberger used for the "The Jewish Phenomenon", I was familiar with the successful track record of American Jews. But the catalogue of Jewish accomplishment he highlights here is still impressive, even to one already familiar with it. If you have no interest in reading self-help books, you still might find this book interesting for that reason alone.
Rating: 
Summary: What about other factors?
Review: [To Editor: this is re-edited version] While the author makes valid points, he completely ignores other not unimportant factors that play into the so-called "Jewish Phenomenon", namely: ethnic nepotism, rate of assimilation, religious arrogance, cultural "paranoia" (for lack of a better word), and the fact they cannot be generally distinguished from non-Jews. Jews and other Minorities Jewish success shares a common denominator with many other minorities, in particular, the feeling that they are an outsider, must work harder than the average guy in order to get ahead, solid family foundation and nepotism within the group. While some minority cultures have less than stellar heritage vis-à-vis education and learning, Jews, like many Asian cultures for example, respect education and learning. This gives them an added leg up on the ladder of success, needless to say. However, unlike most minorities, most Jews remain "Jews" (i.e., a separate and distinct group and do not assimilate) into perpetuity. While they may intermarry and take on the trappings of the larger group, they continue to maintain their "unique" identity. Nepotism continues as well as their feeling of being a "minority", along with a sense of "paranoia" (not least because of the horrors of WWII). While minorities may be "paranoid" to at least some degree (perhaps comes with the territory of being "different" from the group), Jews take this to a new and perpetual level. In short, Jews are not your everyday "minority". Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, for example, can be easily distinguished from Whites. Their discrimination is not merely perception, but real. Jews, on the other hand, generally cannot be distinguished by most folks. In a sense, they share the "feelings" of other minorities but also share the benefits of being a member of the majority. Like gays and lesbians, unless a Jew chooses to out himself, most people will not know s/he is a Jew. Jews and Gays/Lesbians It is a well known statistic that gays and lesbians are more successful than the average heterosexual. What could be behind this "phenomenon"? I venture to say that it's perhaps the similar set of reasons behind the Jewish "phenomenon": Feeling of being a minority, "paranoia", drive to succeed and not least, the fact that most Jews (like gays) cannot be easily distinguished from the larger group (the result being their discrimination is more perception than real). Conclusion I believe the subject matter would have been better served had the author provided a more well-rounded view (both good and bad). But then, a more well-rounded view may not stand as very politically correct. One might also even ask: Why was this book even written? Does the author wish to convince the reader that Jewish culture should somehow stand as a "role model" for other cultures? If so, family value and emphasis on education notwithstanding, should all minorities and groups practice nepotism and separatism?
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