From Publishers Weekly
Teenagers and questions go hand in hand, except perhaps when it comes to religion. Feinstein encourages young people to verbalize their doubts about God, faith and Jewish life, stating that he believes "God loves good questions." Structured as questions posed by different students in a classroom, the 18 chapters include discussions about God; Shabbat; intermarriage; prayer; bar mitzvah; Israel; Christianity; anti-Semitism; Jewish denominations; the meaning of life; good and evil; the concept of an afterlife; and the Messiah. While the format may be a bit contrived, it effectively expresses the questions young people have. Feinstein phrases his questions and answers in terms kids can readily understand: "Is Any of That Stuff in the Bible True?" or "No Cheeseburgers? No Going to the Mall on Saturday? Why Does Religion Need So Many Rules?" The rules, he suggests, are one way of requiring a commitment, like going to the gym on a continual basis: "If I really wanted results, I needed to be serious." He equates being religious with being aware of life's amazing gifts. "The opposite of being religious," he writes, "is being bored." Feeling close to God involves doing godly actions, he stresses. Theology comes alive through Feinstein's cogent analogies and non-dogmatic, down-to-earth style. This book should appeal to students and adults of all denominations who are wrestling with the age-old challenges of faith. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Gr. 5-7. Imagining himself the teacher of a restless class of Jewish adolescents, Rabbi Feinstein confronts his students' relentless questions head on. While his class of "teacher slayers" is fictitious, the questions they ask are real and repeatedly pique not only Jewish youths but also many of their parents. His book unfolds around these questions, each chapter pivoting on an issue of Jewish theology or practice: "Why should I believe in God?" "What is God, anyway?" "What happens to us after we die?" Using stories from the Bible and the Talmud as well as his personal experiences to underscore his wise answers, Feinstein writes conversationally and with clarity. He also engagingly addresses issues of custom and history: "Why do people hate Jews? Why is Israel so important? What is a bar or bat mitzvah?" While his thoughtful and satisfying answers are directed at Jewish youths, they offer a primer on Jewish principles for interested readers of other faiths. Charged with energy and insight, this resource will prove valuable to public and school as well as religion collections. Ellen Mandel
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Book Description
In Judaism we’re allowed to ask questions. We are invited to ask them. But for young people, it often feels as if no one is willing to take tough questions about religion, ourselves, and the world seriously. Tough Questions Jews Ask turns that all around. With honesty, humor, and respect, Rabbi Edward Feinstein tackles topics as diverse as: Why does God let terrible things happen? What is God anyway? If I pray for something, will I get it? What’s the meaning of life? Is that a dumb question? Why does religion need so many rules? Why be Jewish? With insight and wisdom--and without pretending to have all the answers--Rabbi Feinstein encourages young people to make sense of the Jewish tradition by wrestling with what we don’t understand.

About the Author
Rabbi Edward Feinstein has been answering kids’ and adults’ questions for more than twenty years as a congregational rabbi, day school educator, and seminary instructor. He works as rabbi at Valley Beth Shalom, a synagogue in Encino, California, and teaches at the University of Judaism in Los Angeles. He lives in southern California with his wife and three teenage kids. When he’s home, he bakes brownies every Friday afternoon from a recipe given to his ancestors at Mount Sinai.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

In Judaism we're allowed to ask questions. We are invited to ask them. But for young people, it often feels as if no one is willing to take tough questions about religion, ourselves, and the world seriously.

Tough Questions Jews Ask turns that all around. With honesty, humor, and respect, Rabbi Edward Feinstein tackles topics as diverse as:
Why does God let terrible things happen?
What is God anyway?
If I pray for something, will I get it?
What's the meaning of life? Is that a dumb question?
Why does religion need so many rules?
Why be Jewish?

With insight and wisdom-and without pretending to have all the answers-Rabbi Feinstein encourages young people to make sense of the Jewish tradition by wrestling with what we don't understand.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly