My Jesus Year: A Rabbi’s Son Wanders the Bible Belt in Search of His Own Faith by Benyamin Cohen

Joe's comments:

Benyamin Cohen is the son of an orthodox Atlanta rabbi. In his thirties, he writes a memoir of his experiences under the yoke of his domineering father.

Cohen grew up across the street from a Methodist church that he always knew was forbidden fruit. Always awed by the colorful stained glass, the spires and crosses, and throngs of families in attendance, he compared the church congregation with the declining attendance at his own synagogue. What was so much more appealing about Christianity? What was missing in his own spiritual life that examining Christianity might answer?

Make no mistake- Cohen is not looking to convert. He sees his religion as one that he can’t escape from. He doesn’t want to escape from it. He wants a more enriching spiritual experience and sees that a varied experience might help. Each chapter examines his travels among various Christian groups. One visit to an Baptist “megachurch” near Atlanta, one visit to a Christian-themed ultimate fighting match, a visit with Mormon missionaries while on mission, even a day spent with a community of Ethiopian Jews who see themselves as lost descendants of King Solomon.

The book is humorous. Cohen does relate many of his own struggles in life with his declining spiritual health. By the end, though, the author finds what he was looking for all along: his relationship with God is stronger by having experienced religious culture in a new light. 

Call # 921 COH