About the Author

Dr. Eugene B. Borowitz, the leading theologian of liberal Judaism, is the Sigmund L. Falk Distinguished Professor of Education and Jewish Religious Thought at the New York School of Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion where he has taught since 1962. He is a prolific author, having written many articles and books, and was the founding editor of Sh'ma: A Journal of Jewish Responsibility. His book, The Mask Jews Wear, received the National Jewish Book Award in the field of Jewish Thought.

Frances W. Schwartz is coauthor, with Borowitz, of The Jewish Moral Virtues, and is adult learning coordinator of the Union for Reform Judaism. She teaches Jewish adults in many different venues.

Reviews

A Touch of the Sacred is a theological memoir, a collection of powerful, soul-strengthening musings from the leading theologian of liberal Judaism. It is edited for lay audiences by Frances Schwartz, adult learning coordinator of the Union for Reform Judaism.

In the Introduction, Borowitz informs us: "Too often, books on religion are written either primarily for the head or for the heart—as if thinking people don't also feel intuitively, and spiritual types never think much at all. Bosh! Here is our special mix for you…. It is our hope that these pieces will serve as unique windows into Judaism—in bite-size, sacred 'touches'."

For the first time, Dr. Eugene Borowitz, the "dean" of liberal Jewish theologians, opens his heart as well as his mind as he talks about the mix of faith and doubt, of knowing and not-knowing—the elements of Jewish belief—in an easily accessible style. In these pages, Borowitz shares with the reader his rich inner life, which draws from both the rational and mystical Jewish thought that have inspired two generations of rabbis, cantors, and educators. Borowitz explores such themes as Seeking the Sacred One, Doing Holy Deeds, Creating Sacred Community, Reading Sacred Texts, Thinking about Holiness, Learning from Holy Thinkers and much more….

This is not Prof. Borowitz’s most profound, academic or deep book, but it is a powerful personal collection of his thoughts on Jewish theology, Torah, revelation, ritual, the Jewish people, and a variety of other topics, after having taught at HUC-JIR for over 50 years, and lectured in congregations throughout the world. It is an enjoyable and fascinating read—as is anything by Gene Borowitz. We are blessed to have him as our teacher.
*Jewish Media Review*