Rating: 
Summary: A must read to understand Jews & Judaism today
Review: A brilliant and inspiring collection of almost 150 people from a dozen countries. I couldn't put it down. Made me realize the wide range of Jewish thinking about what it means to be a Jew in the world today, and made me think about my own identity and how I can be a better person and a better Jew. I already bought copies for two upcoming bar/bat mitzvah kids to help them think about what it means to be a Jewish person. A great positive identity builder. I read the critical review from the person from Montreal who seems to have more irrelevant opinions than appropriate comments. I have to wonder how anyone who actually saw the book and read what it was intended to achieve can write such a silly review. Amazon should screen things to make sure that they are relevant. If the title wasn't "I Am Jewish" then what would be the point of the book and its relevance to Mr. Pearl's tragic murder? How could it be "Personal Reflections Inspired by the Last Words of Daniel Pearl"? And if the contributors were not all Jews, how could they speak about being Jewish personally? If someone wants to know what non-Jews think about people being Jewish, then go do a different book. This one does what it intended to do wonderfully and will be a classic for adults and youngsters, Jews and non-Jews, alike. Congratulations to the editors and publisher!
Rating: 
Summary: Form Follows Function
Review: An amazing book that contains many insights from leading Jewish writers, businessmen and Senators among others. A great diversity of Jewish thought on what it means to be Jewish and how Daniel Pearls last words mean something to them. But regardless of its many insights and fascinating thoughts this book has several flaws and drawbacks. This book was supposed to serve as kind of a eulogy to the heroism of reporter Daniel Pearl, but one has to wonder what exactly is being done here. Although some of the stories here are interesting many of them are not that great and although some new ideas are expressed and new passions of faith explored, in the end this book leaves you wondering `why?'. It's not clear what the message has to do with Daniel Pearl and it's not really clear why many of the short `I am Jewish' statements were included. It's not even clear who the audience was intended to be. Was it supposed to be fellow Jews? Was it supposed to make Jews understand how important their faith is, and he great diversity within their religion, or was it intended for non-Jews to help them understand the essentially Jewish outlook on life. Is this a call for tolerance? And if it is then tolerance by whom of who? Daniel Pearl was tolerant, he went to Pakistan under the wrong impression that if he presented himself as a journalist trying to understand the struggle of the `freedom fighters' then they would open up. But instead the `freedom fighters'(terrorists) only saw Mr. Pearl as a Jew and they killed him because in their warped view of the world by killing a Jew they were getting back at Israel or America. But probably the only truth that Pearls life shows is that no matter how much you are tolerant of the intolerant the intolerant never become tolerant. Their was nothing to learn about terrorists, unless its their location so they can be targeted for extinction. But that message, sadly, is not made in this book. Seth J. Frantzman
Rating:
Summary: An amazing book with a few flaws
Review: An amazing book that contains many insights from leading Jewish writers, businessmen and Senators among others. A great diversity of Jewish thought on what it means to be Jewish and how Daniel Pearls last words mean something to them. But regardless of its many insights and fascinating thoughts this book has several flaws and drawbacks. This book was supposed to serve as kind of a eulogy to the heroism of reporter Daniel Pearl, but one has to wonder what exactly is being done here. Although some of the stories here are interesting many of them are not that great and although some new ideas are expressed and new passions of faith explored, in the end this book leaves you wondering 'why?'. It's not clear what the message has to do with Daniel Pearl and it's not really clear why many of the short 'I am Jewish' statements were included. It's not even clear who the audience was intended to be. Was it supposed to be fellow Jews? Was it supposed to make Jews understand how important their faith is, and he great diversity within their religion, or was it intended for non-Jews to help them understand the essentially Jewish outlook on life. Is this a call for tolerance? And if it is then tolerance by whom of who? Daniel Pearl was tolerant, he went to Pakistan under the wrong impression that if he presented himself as a journalist trying to understand the struggle of the 'freedom fighters' then they would open up. But instead the 'freedom fighters'(terrorists) only saw Mr. Pearl as a Jew and they killed him because in their warped view of the world by killing a Jew they were getting back at Israel or America. But probably the only truth that Pearls life shows is that no matter how much you are tolerant of the intolerant the intolerant never become tolerant. Their was nothing to learn about terrorists, unless its their location so they can be targeted for extinction. But that message, sadly, is not made in this book. Seth J. Frantzman
Rating:
Summary: Wow - wow - wow
Review: An overwhelming and incredible book!!!
Rating:
Summary: A beautiful book for ANYONE
Review: I had to respond to the criticism that this book is only for the "narrow Jewish community". I thought exploring various people's thoughts on what it means to be Jewish was an excellent idea. I am not Jewish and I felt the book was aimed at me as much as is it at Jewish people. Daniel Pearl's last words were "I am Jewish", so why not explore what this means? This was not intended as a biography - his wife has written a book, and there are others that deal with Daniel Pearl as an individual and in the larger context of his murder and terrorism. This seemed to me to be a very positive means of celebrating his life. I thought the stories were interesting and felt it did what it set out to do.
Rating:
Summary: A beautiful book for ANYONE
Review: I had to respond to the criticism that this book is only for the "narrow Jewish community". I thought exploring various people's thoughts on what it means to be Jewish was an excellent idea. I am not Jewish and I felt the book was aimed at me as much as is it at Jewish people. Daniel Pearl's last words were "I am Jewish", so why not explore what this means? This was not intended as a biography - his wife has written a book, and there are others that deal with Daniel Pearl as an individual and in the larger context of his murder and terrorism. This seemed to me to be a very positive means of celebrating his life. I thought the stories were interesting and felt it did what it set out to do.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful book
Review: I recently purchased this book and as truly touched by it. I have to admit that I saddened that some believe that this is too "narrow" because it focuses on what being Jewish means to Jews. Of course this book is not simply for Jews; in fact, I would love for my non-Jewish brothers and sisters to read it to understand what being Jewish means to us. What if it were a book about another community? Can no one right about their own community?
The first part of international understanding is understanding oneself and this book does a great job at this.
Rating:
Summary: an amazing array of perspectives and voices
Review: I'm with soulseeker and kolitzky--this book is enlightening and inspiring. From the big names like Richard Dreyfuss, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Larry King, to the little children, every piece offered something to think about. While it might be most appealing to Jewish people, anyone interested in religion and what it means to belong to a particular faith will realize the tremendous value of this book--especially in this age of religious and cultural acceptance. It is not a biography of Daniel Pearl; it's almost like some of the other reviewers failed to notice the title of the book before they started reading! And as his parents are the editors, who are any of us to judge in what way Mr. Pearl's legacy should be used?
Rating:
Summary: Stirring tribute to Daniel Pearl
Review: In the wake of tragedy, many survivors, in the face of their immense pain and suffering, are admirably capable of enriching and inspiring the lives of others by means of their particular response. In this unique work, the parents of Daniel Pearl (may G-d avenge his blood) utilize his words uttered only moments before his death, "I am Jewish," to enable others to reflect on their own Jewishness through presenting the "personal reflections" of over 140 extremely diverse Jews on the subject. From rabbis to actors to politicians to journalists to philosphers to authors and more, we learn of what it means to be Jewish. From younger people to the religious to the secular to the famous to the non-famous, we further grapple with the implications of our own Jewishness to our everyday lives. The essays are divided into five categories: 1. Identity 2. Heritage 3. Covenant, Chosenness, and Faith 4. Humanity and Ethnicity 5. Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World) and Justice. To my delight, the thoughts of Dennis Prager, one of my favorite thinkers and writers, are included. To conclude, let me share with you one of my favorite essays in the book, authored by the comic, actress, and writer, Sarah Silverman: "Remember the guy who smashed all the idols in the idol store? His mother had a heart attack when she saw the mess, but I'm sure she bragged about it later. That's us. That's me. I am Jewish."
Rating:
Summary: Being Jewish means much in many different ways
Review: It is difficult to write a few lines about this book without thinking about the cruel and evil event that led to it. The murder of Daniel Pearl simply because he was Jewish would seem to take us back into the darkest times of Jewish and human history, to the Nazi era. And in truth the new Islamic Fundamentalism in whose name Pearl was murdered is a frightening and abhorrent phenomenom which is a threat to human civilization and freedom as a whole.
Pearl's last words ' My father is a Jew. My mother is a Jew . I am a Jew' are as I understand it a courageous affirmation of his own identity and connection with his people. It connects with generations of Jewish martyrs who died on ' Kiddush Hashem' crying out as their last words the Jewish declaration of faith in G-d, " Shema Yisrael"
The book itself consists in around one- hundred and fifty personal statements by largely well- known Jews about what being Jewish means to them. The selection to my taste is a little slanted to the ' left and to the Diaspora' and should in my opinion have had more Israelis, and more with a strong religious identity. There are a few who I would not have included. But on the whole the selection is varied, interesting and provides a great deal of meaningful thought. I especially was touched by the words of Kerri Strug the courageous Olympic gymnast but there are many other inspiring accounts also.
This is an important book for anyone who wishes to see the collective face of the Jewish people at this time.
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