Here is just the beginning of what we hope will be an extensive annotated list of books about Jewish prayer and ritual.

Books on Judaism (General) and Jewish Living

Kushner, Harold S. To Life: A Celebration of Jewish Being and Thinking. New York: Warner, 1993.

    A terrific introduction to the basics of Jewish tradition and living a Jewish life.

Telushkin, Joseph. Jewish Literacy: The Most Important Things to Know About the Jewish Religion, Its People, and Its History. New York: Morrow, 1991.

    An extensive reference on Jewish history, culture and tradition.

Visotzky, Burton L. Reading the Book: Making the Bible a Timeless Text. New York: Schoken, 1996.

    Visotzky teaches the reader about how Jews read the Bible and in doing so, explains what it means to be Jewish in the modern world.

Books on Jewish Prayer

Falk, Marcia. The Book of Blessings: New Jewish Prayers for Daily Life, The Sabbath and the New Moon Festival. Boston: Beacon, 1996.

   A groundbreaking collection of new Jewish prayers written in gender-inclusive language. Falk's prayers speak to contemporary concerns and issues (feminism, atheism, etc.) and the volume is a fascinating reinterpretation of the traditional Jewish siddur. 

Fields, Harvey J. Bechol Levavcha: With All Your Heart. New York: UAHC P, 1976.

    A step-by-step guide to the Jewish liturgy, clearly written with insightful questions for discussion and commentary.

Hoffman, Lawrence A. My People's Prayer Book: Traditional Prayers, Modern Commentaries. Woodstock, VT: Jewish Lights, 2000.

    My People's Prayer Book is a mammoth undertaking. Hoffman and friends are slowly working their way through the Jewish siddur, analyzing and commenting from a variety of perspectives (historical, literary, linguistic, etc.) In the end, the project will be eight volumes, of which six are already in print.

Kula, Irwin and Vanessa L. Ochs, eds. The Book of Jewish Sacred Practices: CLAL's Guide to Everyday & Holiday Rituals & Blessings. Woodstock, VT: Jewish Lights, 2001.

   A thoughtful guide to incorporating Jewish ritual and blessings into your everyday life: From what to do when you hear good news to falling in love to quitting smoking.

Siddurim (Prayer Books)

Kol Haneshamah: Shabbat Vehagim. Wyncote, PA: Reconstructionist P, 1996.

    The Reconstructionist siddur. This siddur provides the traditional texts in addition to provocative commentaries on the prayers and beautiful illustrations.

Mishkan T'fillah: The New Reform Siddur. New York, CCAR. (Forthcoming)

    The new Reform siddur. After much discussion, the Reform movement is releasing it's new siddur in 2005.

Stern, Chaim ed. Gates of Prayer: For Shabbat and Weekdays. New York: CCAR, 1994.

    The Reform Siddur. The traditional Reform liturgy.

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