About:
The Kissing Rabbi: Lust, Betrayal, and a Community Turned Inside Out by Andy Becker tells of a charismatic Orthodox rabbi in Oregon, who’s schmoozing quickly becomes something more.
- 268 pages
- Publisher : Tree of the Field Publishing
- Language : English
- ISBN-10 : 1733669825
My rating for The Kissing Rabbi – 4
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More books by Andy Becker*
Thoughts:
Reading The Kissing Rabbi: Lust, Betrayal, and a Community Turned Inside Out by Andy Becker I thought it is obviously a true story. This book, however, is a novel which is, sadly, based on true events in the Pacific Northwest.
The author tells the story with biting humor, since all great Jewish stories are. Above all, sometimes the questions are more important than the answers; much like it is in the Jewish religion.
Additionally, in Dreidel’s case, the inner monologue of trying to justify his unethical behavior is fascinating. Unfortunately, I suspect that this inner dialogue is not far off from the truth for those in authority or who consider themselves morally superior.
I enjoyed the narrative as well as the Yiddish words sprinkled throughout the book. The story is simple and clear, even if you are not familiar with the intricacies of the Jewish religion.
This book is timed just right, with Andrew Cuomo’s shenanigans getting the spotlight. The book illustrates how men in a position of power, can groom indiscretions and make women feel helpless.
Worse than Cuomo, the rabbi doesn’t only have a leadership role, but also moral authority. Particularly, a man in that position can also twist their religion to justify such actions.
Tor those of us who read the texts, however, many times not much of a “twist” is needed.
The author doesn’t just follow the rabbi and his victims, but the community as well. Who will abandon the rabbi, and who will fight for him? How is the organization structured financially? What will the board do? What strings can the rabbi pull?
And other questions which make this story about a sexual predator deeper and more involved.
There are no graphic sex scenes in the story. While the rabbi is grooming victims and goes beyond proprietary, the sex act itself is not involved. This point was important to mention in a book about such subject. Mr. Becker, however, does manage to get his point across.
Synopsis:
Rabbi Mishegas Driedel established a Jewish community in Oregon where one did not exit. Using his charm, enthusiasm, and wits the rabbinical knowledge.
After lots of hard work, the rabbi’s fledgling community becomes a robust Jewish center. However, the rabbi, under the guise of his own incompetency, is starting to sexual harass some of the women of his temple.
Buy The Kissing Rabbi from Amazon.com*
More books by Andy Becker*
Zohar — Man of la Book
Disclaimer:I got this book for free .
*Amazon links point to an affiliate account
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