Choosing Hope

Book excerpt: 2023 Reference Book of the Year from the Academy of Parish Clergy Throughout our history, Jews have traditionally responded to our trials with hope, psychologist David Arnow says, because we have had ready access to Judaism's abundant reservoir of hope. The first book to plumb the depths of this reservoir, Choosing Hope journeys from biblical times to our day to explore nine fundamental sources of hope in Judaism: Teshuvah--the method to fulfill our hope to become better human beings Tikkun Olam--the hope that we can repair the world by working together Abraham and Sarah--models of persisting in hope amid trials Exodus--the archetype of redemptive hope Covenant--the hope for a durable relationship with the One of Being Job--the "hard-fought hope" that brings a grief-stricken man back to life World to Come--the sustaining hope that death is not the end Israel--high hope activists work to build a just and inclusive society for all Israelis Jewish Humor--"hope's last weapon" in our darkest days Grounded in a contemporary theology that situates the responsibility for creating a better world in human hands, with God acting through us, Choosing Hope can help us both affirm hope in times of trial and transmit our deepest hopes to the next generation.