From the NYTimes Book Review

By Jeff Ballabon, on January 30th, 2005

January 30, 2005

ESSAY

The Observant Reader

By WENDY SHALIT

SEE ABOVE…

Zev

January 30th, 2005 at 2:51 pm

I always enjoy Wendy Shalit’s writing, from her early Commentary pieces to her excellent book.

I must say, though, that the Allegra Goodman stories I’ve read in Commentary have not been all that Ortho-friendly.
David Brand

January 31st, 2005 at 10:59 am

This is quite shocking stuff. First, the NYT prints an article that is sympathetic to Charedi Jews. Then, the NYT actually acknowledges that the Iraqi election was a significant event. Who woulda thunk it?
Shira Leibowitz Schmidt

January 31st, 2005 at 11:42 am

21 b’Shvat The entire editorial of Sunday’s (English) Hamodia daily was devoted to praising the recent Baltimore meeting of Jewish Outreach Professionals. The editorial made the point that every observant Jew can have an effect in outreach (and inreach). Wendy Shalit’s article can be helpful in these endeavors – in conveying to people who are interested in understanding the lifestyle of Orthodox Jews something about them and their communities. After reading her astute assessment of a dozen novels available, I now have an idea about which books I could recommend, and which books present a warped picture of religious life and why. BTW, for letters-to-the-editor, the email address is
books@nytimes.com