Yocheved's Bookshelf

From Fear to Eternity: Ten Steps to Achieving the Benefits of Being Jewish
Reviewed by Yocheved Golani

After Hurricane Andrew tore through his Florida home, Andrew Lefkowitz relocated to Cleveland and initially resisted a friend's overtures to learn Torah. After he gave in to the repeated invitations, the author surprised himself, choosing to realize that G'D ruled not only his life but also all universal life. Then he wrote a book that deserves to become a staple of kiruv literature.
In 200 pages, Lefkowitz wrote a compelling thesis for being invested in a Torah-oriented lifestyle. The format of From Fear to Eternity: Ten Steps to Achieving the Benefits of Being Jewish is a conversation between the author's formerly irreligious mindset and his present identity as an Orthodox Jew. Unlike other selections in the Spirituality section of mainstream bookstores, From Fear to Eternity does not offer self-aggrandizing pseudo-conversations between the prayer and G'D; instead, it offers one man's portrayal of profound inner change and the inner peace that followed. "I was not one of those tortured souls who was forever searching for greater meaning in life," he relates in his foreword. "The views expressed herein are my humble attempt to record those views which are solely those of the Management." Lefkowitz portrays the management's views with obvious pleasure and competence throughout his book.
The short vignette about the basics of menschlichkeit on page 139 is an eloquent argument for social responsibility. Menschlichkeit means more than not hurting people and Lefkowitz neatly specifies the requirements of Jewish decency in a few paragraphs. The book should be required reading at the New York Times "Ethicist" department.
His take on "Fear" and how Lefkowitz grew to understand its relationship between the Creator and the created is too good to summarize. It should be read and savored by anyone sweating over his or her own relationship with HaShem. As Lefkowitz addresses Orthodox Jewish dating and marriage, the dead-on humor of his "Bigger, better deal" critique is perfect for also knocking sense into the lonely hearts of some aging Orthodox Jewish singles and their misguided mentors.
The unique aspect of From Fear to Eternity: Ten Steps to Achieving the Benefits of Being Jewish is that it speaks from the transformation experience itself rather than from lofty goals that seem unattainable to the masses. The author seems to speak in the reader's ear as his written dialogue unfolds in ten masterfully written chapters and a postscript. Lefkowitz succinctly counters the usual arguments against Orthodox Judaism, addressing his previous worldview and the worldview of any objector to Orthodox Judaism. When he takes readers through a typical day of Orthodox Jewish life and the basic Orthodox relationships of rebbe, spouse, child and society, he performs a service rarely achieved in kiruv: user friendly virtual observance! Lefkowitz created a two-way window in ink so that nonobservant readers can witness, and to a limited extent participate in, Orthodox living without the embarrassment of lacking the lingo, mannerisms and customs of Orthodox Jewish society.
From Fear to Eternity: Ten Steps to Achieving the Benefits of Being Jewish is an Israel Book Shop hard cover selection, available in stores everywhere.