Isaacs, Ronald H. 1947–

(Ronald Howard Isaacs)

PERSONAL:

Born September 10, 1947, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada; U.S. citizen; son of David (in sales) and Gertrude (a homemaker) Isaacs; married, June 20, 1971; wife's name Leora W.; children: Keren, Zachary. Ethnicity: "Jewish." Education: Jewish Theological Seminary of America, B.H.L., 1969, M.A., 1971, Rabbi, 1974; Columbia University, B.A., 1969, M.A., 1971, Ed.D., 1979. Hobbies and other interests: Sports memorabilia, music.

ADDRESSES:

Office—Temple Sholom, 594 N. Bridge St., Bridgewater, NJ 08807; fax: 908-707-9055.

CAREER:

Rabbi, educator, radio host, and writer. Voices Four (Hebrew liturgical folk-rock ensemble), cofounder and performer, 1969-73; Greenburgh Hebrew Center, Dobbs Ferry, NY, principal and youth director, 1973-75; Temple Sholom, Bridgewater, NJ, rabbi, 1975—, and codirector of Temple Sholom Hebrew High School. Rutgers University, visiting lecturer, 1976-82; Jewish Theological Seminary of America, adjunct lecturer, 2002. United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, Kadima rabbi for Northern New Jersey Region, 1982-92; Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education, board member, 1992-94; Northern New Jersey Rabbinical Assembly, vice president, 1995-96; Rabbinical Assembly of America, chair of publications committee, 2001. Lovin' Company (Hebrew liturgical folk-rock ensemble), founder and performer, 1980-82; WCTC-Radio, host of Jewish American Hour, 1990-94; recorded the albums Arbaah Kolote: The Voices Four, released by Monitor Recordings in 1969, and Our Rock and Our Redeemer, Monitor Recordings, 1971. Camp Ramah in the Poconos, head of music and coordinator of Ramah Family Camp and Shabbat Plus Adult Learning Program, summers, 1988-2001. United Way of Somerset Valley, board member, 1990-93; Human Relations Council of Bridgewater, board member, 1999—; Bridgewater Police Department, member of Committee of Chaplains, 2001—.

MEMBER:

Faith in Action (board member, 1999—).

AWARDS, HONORS:

D.H.L., Jewish Theological Seminary of America, 2001.

WRITINGS:

(With wife, Leora Isaacs) Jewish Expressions: My Holiday Activity Book, Ktav Publishing House (Jersey City, NJ), 1986.

The Jewish Instructional Games Book, New York Board of Jewish Education (New York, NY), 1986.

Shabbat Delight: A Celebration in Stories, Songs, and Games, Ktav Publishing House (Jersey City, NJ), 1987.

(With Leora Isaacs) Reflections: A Jewish Grandparents' Gift of Memories, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 1987.

The Jewish Family Game Book for the Sabbath and Festivals, Ktav Publishing House (Jersey City, NJ), 1989.

The Bride and Groom Handbook, Behrman House (West Orange, NJ), 1990.

(With Leora Isaacs) Gleanings: Four Shavuot Scripts, Leeron Publishers (Bridgewater, NJ), 1990.

(With Leora Isaacs) Loving Companions: Our Jewish Wedding Album, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 1991.

(With Kerry M. Olitzky) The Jewish Mourner's Handbook, Ktav Publishing House (Jersey City, NJ), 1992.

Rites of Passage: Guide to the Jewish Life Cycle, Ktav Publishing House (Jersey City, NJ), 1992.

(With Kerry M. Olitzky) The Discovery Haggada, Ktav Publishing House (Jersey City, NJ), 1992.

(With D. Pressman) Shma Kolaynu: A High Holy Day Youth Machzor, Ktav Publishing House (Jersey City, NJ), 1992.

(With Kerry M. Olitzky) A Glossary of Jewish Life, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 1992.

(With Kerry M. Olitzky) The How-to Handbook for Jewish Living, Ktav Publishing House (Jersey City, NJ), Volume 1, 1993, Volume 2, 1996.

Becoming Jewish: A Handbook for Conversion, Ktav Publishing House (Jersey City, NJ), 1993.

(With S. Arlen and R. Wagner) Chain of Life: A Curricular Guide, Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education (New York, NY), 1993.

The Jewish Information Source Book: A Dictionary and Almanac, Jason Aronson (Jersey City, NJ), 1993.

(With Leora Isaacs) Jewish Family Matters: A Leader's Guide, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (New York, NY), 1994.

(With D. Pressman) Siddur Shir Chadash for Youth and Family, Ktav Publishing House (Jersey City, NJ), 1994.

(With Kerry M. Olitzky) Doing Mitzvot: Mitzvah Projects for Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Ktav Publishing House (Jersey City, NJ), 1994.

(With Kerry M. Olitzky) Sacred Celebrations: A Jewish Holiday Handbook, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 1994.

(With Kerry M. Olitzky) Critical Documents of Jewish History: A Sourcebook, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 1995.

Lively Student Prayer Services: A Handbook of Teaching Strategies, Ktav Publishing House (Jersey City, NJ), 1995.

(With Kerry M. Olitzky) Sacred Moments: Tales of the Jewish Life Cycle, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 1995.

Derech Eretz: Pathways to an Ethical Life, United Synagogue Department of Youth (New York, NY), 1995.

Critical Jewish Issues: A Book for Teenagers, Ktav Publishing House (Jersey City, NJ), 1996.

The Jewish Book of Numbers, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 1996.

Words for the Soul: Jewish Wisdom for Life's Journey, Jason Aronson (Jersey City, NJ), 1996.

Mitzvot: A Sourcebook for the 613 Commandments, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 1996.

Madrich LeGabbai: A Gabbai's How-to Manual, Ktav Publishing House (Jersey City, NJ), 1996.

Close Encounters: Jewish Views of God, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 1996.

Sacred Seasons: A Sourcebook for the Jewish Holidays, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 1997.

Every Person's Guide to Jewish Prayer, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 1997.

Sidra Reflections: Guide to Sidrot and Haftarot, Ktav Publishing House (Jersey City, NJ), 1997, leader's guide, 1998.

(With Kerry M. Olitzky) Rediscovering Judaism: Bar and Bat Mitzvah for Adults; A Course of Study, Ktav Publishing House (Jersey City, NJ), 1997.

Jewish Bible Almanac, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 1997.

Miracles: A Jewish Perspective, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 1997.

Jewish Music: Its History, People, and Song, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 1997.

Divination, Magic, and Healing: The Book of Jewish Folklore, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 1998.

Ascending Jacob's Ladder: Jewish Views of Angels, Demons, and Evil Spirits, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 1998.

The Jewish Book of Etiquette, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 1998.

Judaism, Medicine, and Healing, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 1998.

(Editor) The Jewish Sourcebook on the Environment and Ecology, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 1998.

Messengers of God: A Jewish Prophets Who's Who, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 1998.

Every Person's Guide to Shabbat, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 1998.

Every Person's Guide to Shavuot, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 1998.

Every Person's Guide to Death and Dying in the Jewish Tradition, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 1999.

Exploring Jewish Ethics and Values, Ktav Publishing House (Jersey City, NJ), 1999.

Every Person's Guide to Jewish Philosophy and Philosophers, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 1999.

(With Kerry M. Olitzky) I Believe: The Thirteen Principles of Faith: A Confirmation Textbook, Ktav Publishing House (Jersey City, NJ), 1999.

Reaching for Sinai: How-to Handbook for Celebrating a Meaningful Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Ktav Publishing House (Jersey City, NJ), 1999.

Every Person's Guide to the High Holy Days, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 1999.

The Tabernacle, the Temple, and Its Royalty, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 1999.

Every Person's Guide to Holiness: The Jewish Perspective, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 1999.

Every Person's Guide to Jewish Blessings, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 1999.

Entering the Biblical Text: Exploring Jewish Values in the Torah, Ktav Publishing House (Jersey City, NJ), 2000.

Beginnings: Raising a Jewish Child, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (New York, NY), 2000.

The Bible: Where Do You Find It, and What Does It Say?, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 2000.

Every Person's Guide to Jewish Law, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 2000.

Animals in Jewish Thought and Tradition, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 2000.

Every Person's Guide to Jewish Sexuality, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 2000.

Every Person's Guide to the Book of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes: Biblical Wisdom for the Twenty-first Century, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 2000.

Every Person's Guide to Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, and Simchat Torah, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 2000.

Every Person's Guide to Purim, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 2000.

Every Person's Guide to Hanukkah, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 2000.

Every Person's Guide to Passover, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 2000.

The Talmud: What Does It Say and Where Can You Find It?, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 2000.

Every Person's Guide to What's Kosher and What's Not, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 2000.

Ask the Rabbi: The Book of Answers to Jewish Kids' Questions, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 2000.

Every Person's Guide to Aggadah, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 2000.

Building the Faith: A Book of Inclusion for Dual-Faith Families, Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs (New York, NY), 2001.

Understanding the Hebrew Prophets, Ktav Publishing House (Jersey City, NJ), 2001.

Defending the Faith: Trials and Great Debates in Jewish History, Ktav Publishing House (Jersey City, NJ), 2001.

Can You Believe It: Amazing Jewish Facts and Curiosities, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 2001.

Ethics for Everyday Living: Jewish Wisdom for the Twenty-first Century, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 2001.

Every Person's Guide to the Book of Psalms, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 2001.

Exploring the Jewish Prophets, Ktav Publishing House (Jersey City, NJ), 2001.

(With Kerry M. Olitzky) The Third "How-to" Handbook for Jewish Living, Ktav Publishing House (Jersey City, NJ), 2002.

Let My People Go: An Instant Lesson on World Slavery, Torah Aura (Los Angeles, CA), 2002.

Legends of Biblical Heroes: A Sourcebook, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 2002.

A Taste of Text: An Introduction to the Talmud and Midrash, UAHC Press (New York, NY), 2003.

Ask the Rabbi: The Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How of Being Jewish, Jossey-Bass (San Francisco, CA), 2003.

The Jewish Traveller's Handbook, Ktav Publishing House (Jersey City, NJ), 2003.

Life's Little Book of Big Jewish Advice, Ktav Publishing House (Jersey City, NJ), 2004.

Gates of Heaven: A Handbook for Unveilings and Visiting the Cemetery, Ktav Publishing House (Jersey City, NJ), 2004.

Essential Judaism in a Nutshell, Ktav Publishing House (Jersey City, NJ), 2004.

Amazing Jewish Facts: Can You Believe It?, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers (Lanham, MD), 2004.

Count Your Blessings: 100 Blessings a Day, Ktav Publishing House (Jersey City, NJ), 2004.

(With Kerry M. Olitzky) The Complete How To Handbook for Jewish Living, Ktav Publishing House (Jersey City, NJ), 2004.

Kosher Living: It's More than Just the Food, Jossey-Bass (San Francisco, CA), 2005.

Questions Christians Ask the Rabbi, Ktav Publishing House (Jersey City, NJ), 2005.

A Taste of Torah: An Introduction to Thirteen Challenging Bible Stories, URJ Press (New York, NY), 2006.

A Service of Comfort: Afternoon and Evening Prayers with Spiritual Reflections for the House of Mourning, Ktav Publishing House (Jersey City, NJ), 2007.

Author of sourcebooks for Kadima Encampments, 1982-92. Creator of The Pocket Size Ungame: Spiritual Version, released by Ungame Co., 1983. Contributor to periodicals, including Kol Kadima, United Synagogue Jewish Living Now, Pedagogic Reporter, Jewish Education, and Impact. Member of editorial board, Shofar.

SIDELIGHTS:

Ronald H. Isaacs once told CA: "I write as I prepare to teach my courses for our own Hebrew high school and adult education programs. I try to write for a couple of hours each day and generally choose a topic which I have always enjoyed teaching or reading about, but which I would like to research further."

Isaacs has produced a wide range of books as guides for those of the Jewish faith, as well as for those interested in the Jewish religion. His books often reflect his own personal emphasis on asking questions, typified by an "Ask the Rabbi" in-box that he provides for his own congregation and students. For example, in Ask the Rabbi: The Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How of Being Jewish, the author addresses a wide range of complex questions concerning Judaism. However, he also includes less serious queries, such as the question some have asked concerning why so many comedians are Jewish. A Publishers Weekly contributor commented that, "as a basic, accessible introduction to Judaism, it is … a handy guide for all readers." Ilene Cooper, writing in Booklist, referred to the book as "an essential guide for Jews and others who want to know more about Jewish practices."

Isaacs addresses deeper philosophical topics in his Close Encounters: Jewish Views of God. In this book, the author discusses various Jewish beliefs about understanding God. In the process, he encompasses such topics as the Bible, mysticism, and various rabbinic literature. A Publishers Weekly contributor wrote that the author "has an ability to break down difficult concepts into succinct segments, creating an accessible reference guide for the lay reader." Isaacs also addresses the lay reader in his book Every Person's Guide to Jewish Philosophy and Philosophers, which Hayim Y. Sheynin called "notable for its inclusiveness" in a review for the Library Journal.

The author has also written several "fact books" about Judaism. For example, in the Jewish Bible Almanac, he provides, as he writes, "curious facts, oddities, unusual statistics, and biblical information." The book includes information on topics such as capital punishment in Judaism. Eugene O. Bowser, writing in the Library Journal, noted that the author "does provide a handy sampling of a very broad range of subjects in an excellently accessible style for the complete neophyte."

In his 2006 book, Questions Christians Ask the Rabbi, Isaacs addresses more than 200 questions he has been asked by Christians, primarily via his Web site. As expected, many of the questions concern Jesus and his divinity, but others focus on Jewish holidays and dietary laws. A Reference & Research Book News contributor noted that the author takes "a concise but accessible, family-friendly approach" in answering the questions.

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

BOOKS

Isaacs, Ronald H., Jewish Bible Almanac, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 1997.

PERIODICALS

Booklist, October 15, 2003, Ilene Cooper, review of Ask the Rabbi: The Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How of Being Jewish, p. 402.

Library Journal, April 15, 1997, Robert A. Silver, review of Sacred Seasons: A Sourcebook for the Jewish Holidays, p. 86; April 1, 1998, Eugene O. Bowser, review of Jewish Bible Almanac, p. 96; December, 1998, Sheynin, Hayim Y. Sheynin, review of Every Person's Guide to Jewish Philosophy and Philosophers, p. 114; January 1, 2001, Graham Christian, review of Every Person's Guide to Purim, p. 117.

Publishers Weekly, November 8, 1993, review of The How-to Handbook for Jewish Living, p. 48; August 15, 1994, review of Sacred Celebrations: A Jewish Holiday Handbook, p. 56; October 14, 1996, review of Close Encounters, Jewish Views about God, p. 76; December 8, 1997, review of Miracles: A Jewish Perspective, p. 68; March 9, 1998, review of Judaism, Medicine, and Healing, p. 63; July 31, 2000, review of Every Person's Guide to Jewish Sexuality, p. 34; August 25, 2003, review of Ask the Rabbi, p. 57.

Reference & Research Book News, November, 2006, review of Questions Christians Ask the Rabbi.

Shofar, spring, 2004, review of Ask the Rabbi: The Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How of Being Jewish, p. 191.