Moving Home is often funny, frequently stark, clear, and to the point, and at times just chilled. It felt like I was sitting down in Ramona Freedman's lounge room on a warm and sunny Saturday afternoon after the Sabbath lunch, talking with her. It often made me smile, and often gave me things to think about. I will be reading it again.It is a book built for anyone who sincerely wants to discover the depth and beauty of their religion. Ramona Freedman includes a tour of the festivals and rituals that define an observant Jewish life - through the eyes of a returnee.
Throughout Moving Home she describes instances of honest mistakes and sincere attempts, with charm and candour - often with amusing results.
Moving Home is for anyone who has begun a spiritual journey and doesn't quite know what to expect, for those who feel they will have to fight tides and certain pressures (away, cheeseburgers!) for which they don't feel ready. With abundant warmth and in a refreshingly relaxed manner, she suggests to those who are unsure about the path they have chosen - or are about to choose - that it's O.K. to have doubts, that it's O.K. to feel confused. That it's O.K. to try, and more than O.K. to ask. What a blessing! Even more, she has the courage to suggest some ways to help you along. This book was a great comfort, a reminder that one is hardly alone.
Another, equally encouraging aspect of Moving Home is how the author describes the 'nudgings' that she has experienced throughout the course of her life that she has come to recognise as actual manifestations of God's help, love and support. In other words - not just what you do will help, but what God does - all you have to do is 'see' it.
She shows that the more attuned one becomes to noticing these events, one almost can't help but develop a love and reverence for one's Creator, and live an increasingly dedicated, beautiful, and meaningful life.
For me, just as I imagine for many other returnees to spiritual observance, the author's internal struggles and external or interpersonal dilemmas often parallel what I have personally experienced. What did she do when she was faced with X? How did she feel when she chose Y? She showed her perseverance for learning and growth together with a realistic self-acceptance (something you don't always hear about) in remarkable ways that simply have to be read to be truly appreciated.
For what it has given me, and what it can give to others - I do hope others will check out the intimate spiritual adventure and sheer delight that is Moving Home.
Product Description
In this intimate true story, a young Australian author describes her journey towards observant Judaism, detailing every arduous step, from Kashrut and Shabbat, to relationships and work. Told from the refreshing perspective of a young person, using the analogy of ‘building a home', Freedman describes much more than the superficial details, such as ‘paint color and carpets', but reserves her unique and warm advice for the more profound and enriching aspects of Jewish living.
Readers are guests at the author's chanukat habayit (housewarming party), enjoying a metaphorical tour through the author's new home, its physical surroundings and how they relate to her new religiously-observant lifestyle.
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