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Because God Loves Stories: An Anthology of Jewish Storytelling; edited by Steve Zeitlin
"Why were human beings created?" goes a traditional Jewish saying. "Because God loves stories." Storytelling has been part of Jewish religion and custom from earliest times and it remains a defining aspect of Jewish life. In Because God Loves Stories, folklorist Steve Zeitlin assembles the work of thirty-six Jewish storytellers, each of whom spins tales that express his or her own distinctive visions of Jewish culture, from ancient tales and classics re-imagined to contemporary family stories, parables and humor. 

The Lion Seeker by Kenneth Bonert
A powerful family saga, The Lion Seeker is a thrilling ride through the life of Isaac Helger, from redheaded hooligan on the streets of Johannesburg to striving young man on the make. Growing up in the shadow of World War II, Isaac is caught between his mother’s urgent ambition to bring her sisters to safety out of the old world and his own desire for the freedoms of the new. But soon his mother’s carefully guarded secret takes them to the diamond mines, where mysteries are unveiled in the desert rocks and Isaac begins to learn the bittersweet reality of success bought at truly any cost.Multiple award winner, including the National Jewish Book Award for fiction, and the Canadian Jewish Book Award.   

Embracing Judaism: Personal Narratives of Renewed Faith by Debra Gonsher Vinik
Growing out of the author's work as the writer and producer of a TV documentary about adult Jews with little or no Jewish education who are looking to re-examine the spiritual path within Judaism, this book examines, through personal narratives, the journeys of a wide range of people who have become more connected to their Jewish faith, and who seek to learn, understand and reaffirm their Jewish  heritage.