Rating: 
Summary: Interesting, but Narrow and Superficial
Review: As a practicing Jew who attends Jewish services as well as services at a Buddhist Temple, I really looked forward to reading this book. And the story is truly unique: a Jewish man leaves Judaism, practices Buddhism for ten years, then leaves it and becomes a Conservative Rabbi. An interesting story, however, the author makes it superficial. Exactly WHY does he leave Buddhism for Judaism? He never explains in detail. And this is the major problem I have with this book: he gives us the facts, but he analyzes very little about his life. In addition, I was dying to know his thoughts on a situation troubling the Jewish community: why do so many Jews leave Judaism and become Buddhists? He should have insights, but, like everything else that doesn't involve him personally, he doesn't even touch on this topic. An interesting book, but it doesn't go deeply enough.
Rating: 
Summary: One God Clapping Gets My Applause
Review: Book Review of One God ClappingOne God Clapping, The Spiritual Path of a Zen Rabbi, by Alan Lew with Sherril Jaffee is a wonderful addition to the spiritual biography genre. Rabbi Lew makes clear that our spiritual journey is not measured by our attendance in any particular religious forum, but rather in our satsifaction with who we are in the world and what we do with our divine nature and opportunities. Traversing the time span between the 1940's to the 1990's, from California to New York City, from Zen centers to Synagogues, from civil rights marches to poetry readings, Lew's' own odyssey reflects that spiritual longing so many people feel but have too few clues to discover. Combining his own personal history, with a good measure of historical teachings from the Buddhist and Judaic traditions, the reader is given a unique tour of disciplines and celebrations orienting us all in our community with each other and our communion with God. In addition, his ability to communicate the vital significance of our simply being present with each other, whether at the end of our lives in hospice care or in celebrating the birth of a child, we are ultimately given an opportunity to see as Lew put it, the heartbreaking beauty in life itself. As a national radio broadcaster, I am very selective about the books I read and who I interview. I would reccomend One God Clapping to any person interested in the process of spiritual discovery. Rabbi Lew invites you into his heart and home, reminding us all, that each of our hearts and homes are one in god, regardless of our religious affiliations or spiritual practices. Zoh M. Hieronimus Host of the Zoh Show, zohshow.com
Rating: 
Summary: An Uplifting Look at a Spiritual Journey
Review: I admit that I'm biased since I have twice met Rabbi Lew when I attended religious servics at his synagogue in San Francisco. I liked Rabbi Lew's book and found his spiritual journry to be engrossing. We all have our own spiritual struggles and being able to eavesdrop on someone else's helps us focus upon our own. Rabbi Lew was raised in a secular, politically leftist household and though he retained his political liberalism, he attained spirituality and a strong belief in God, starting with a legnthy immersion into Buddhism that evolved into a return to Judaism. Rabbi Lew is not one to do things half way. He was fully immersed in his Buhdism and sort of rose in the ranks of that community. When he rediscovered Judaism, he became so immersed that, as the oldest student in his seminary class, he became the top student, totally devoting his life to his goal to become a Rabbi. He also shares his family struggles in this book. I must conclude by disagreeing with another reviewer who feels that Rabbi Lew did not illumnate his reasons for leaving Buddhism. In fact, I think he was very clear: he felt that his life was subject to a doctrine that was too dogmatic and too controlling of his individuality. At least, that's what I gleaned from my reading of the book and, the reason seemed to be rather clearly stated.
Rating:
Summary: Alan Lew, a Zen Buddhist Journeys to his Jewish Roots
Review: I appreciated Alan Lew's journey into both Zen and Judiasm, conveyed through short anecdotes of his life experiences. Lew's life reflections draw us in and show us all how our lives move forward--constantly influenced by past experiences. Lew does not judge or over-dramatize his past. His quiet, moving reflections simply move the reader through his life in a very holistic way. "One God Clapping" has inspired me to work through some issues in Judiasm that have drawn me away from my religion of birth. I don't know what the outcome of my search will be--but Alan Lew has shown me that compassion and honest exploration will lead me exactly where I need to be.
Rating: 
Summary: Stunningly self centered!
Review: I have never written a review before, feeling that until I became an author, I should keep quiet. However this book has moved me to reevaluate. I have never seen such a rambling, self involved, free association, represented as a "spiritual path" in all my years of reading spiritual books of many varities. The author never stops talking about himself, and a myriad of unconnected and unexplained bits of memories to mention anything of substance about ANY spiritual traditions, other than in passing. I question whether anyone so staggeringly self-involved has benefited from any "spiritual path". I wouldn't think of this as even an interesting autobiography, since it seems more a pedantic chronology of events about HIMSELF, than a celebration of the "others" that accompanied one along the journey. Perhaps good cathartic journaling for the author, but a great pretender as any sort of spiritual guide. Very disappointing! I feel I have completely wasted $16.95. For a useful and intelligent autobiographical type discussion of one's journey through religious traditions, and helpful comparisons, similarities and differences, try "The Unexpected Way" by Paul Williams; "The One Light" by Bede Griffiths, or "The Other Half Of My Soul" compiled by Beatrice Bruteau.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful spiritual journey of a Jewish seeker, via Buddhism
Review: Rabbi Alan Lew and his wife Sherril Jaffe share the candid story of his own personal spiritual growth in this highly readable book. From early childhood and youth in New York, to years of seeking and wandering, through his experience as a Buddhist, rebirth as a Jew, training in the rabbinate, and current position as the spiritual leader of a major Conservative congregation in San Francisco, Rabbi Lew's fascinating journey will leave you laughing and crying, at times simultaneously. I found this book to be the closest thing to the classic "Autobiography of a Yoga" by Yogananda that I have ever read, but of course from a Jewish rather than Hindu perspective. Never being preachy or dogmatic, Lew and Jaffe gently and delicately carry the reader through the pages of "One God Clapping" with eminent respect. There is a fresh and ingenuous quality to the writing, never contrived or manipulative, which allowed me to personally live each chapter with the authors; I literally sped through the book in a few hours, and at the end I was left wanting more. The good news is that there WILL be more awaiting us at Rabbi Lew's Jewish Meditation Center in San Francisco. For all of those hungry to learn about Jewish spirituality, "One God Clapping", the story of a unique man's path from childhood to becoming a leader in the field, is a must read.
Rating:
Summary: Stunningly self centered!
Review: Rabbi Alan Lew discusses his rich Brooklyn childhood, his family's move to largely anti-Jewish suburbs of Westchester, his studies at Penn, his marriage, his move into Zen and ten years in monastic contemplation to fulfill his spiritual yearnings, and his return to Judaism and the rabbinate. This is the story of his integration of the East with the West. It's about Jewish karma, and the reclamation of spirituality. It's about why so many Jewish youth turn East in their spiritual quests, experiment with Eastern religions and worship the exotic (sometimes just because it is exotic). This book is both easy to read and interesting. I also highly recommend a little book of wisdom by a young Jewish/Buddhist author named Taro Gold titled "Open Your Mind, Open Your Life."
Rating:
Summary: Renewal
Review: Rabbi Lew's story is the same struggle and challenge Jews face in every generation;namely,how to find meaning in Judaism in modern times.This book embodies the essence of the works of Maimonodes who stressed that truth is universal and tanscends place,time,and people. Rabbi Lew shows that Judaism is a way of life for the Jewish people
Rating:
Summary: Applause for One God Clapping - an inspiration
Review: This book has been a continuing source of inspiration on my spiritual journey. I am going through the process of converting to Judaism and hold a strong interest in Zen meditation, Yoga and a mindful way of life. The stories told in One God Clapping touched my heart, my soul, and my intellect, and gave me the sense that I was reading about my own life. Rabbi Lew offers up a heartfelt glimpse into the experiences of his life with a warmth and honesty that speaks a universal truth about humanity. I laughed. I cried. I re-evaluated my priorities and I loved it. Well written with a fluidity that makes the reading experience delightful, this is one I will read again and again. Mazal Tov to Rabbi Lew!
Rating:
Summary: Applause for One God Clapping - an inspiration
Review: This book has been a continuing source of inspiration on my spiritual journey. I am going through the process of converting to Judaism and hold a strong interest in Zen meditation, Yoga and a mindful way of life. The stories told in One God Clapping touched my heart, my soul, and my intellect, and gave me the sense that I was reading about my own life. Rabbi Lew offers up a heartfelt glimpse into the experiences of his life with a warmth and honesty that speaks a universal truth about humanity. I laughed. I cried. I re-evaluated my priorities and I loved it. Well written with a fluidity that makes the reading experience delightful, this is one I will read again and again. Mazal Tov to Rabbi Lew!
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