On The Bookshelf 11 Edutainment For The Masses r the Complete Idiot's Guide signify about its author and potential readers? Why would a distinguished 10th-gen- eration rabbi pen a book with "Idiot's" first came the "Dummies" the largest word on the front cover? books. Then the "Complete For Rabbi Blech, who was invited Idiot's" guides. The compet- to contribute to the series based on ing series of introductory the success of his paperbacks cover a book Understanding wide range of sub- Judaism, writing jects — from com- this guide provided puters, personal an opportunity to finance, dating, reach out to wine and golf to worlds of people taxes, yoga, job who wouldn't ordi- interviews and narily buy a book grammar — all in by a rabbi." a distinctive style: In an interview education packaged in the Upper West as entertainment. Side apartment With short, where he and his accessible chapters wife now live, the and lots of head- 65-year old rabbi ings and sidebars explains that peo- marked with picto- ple's reactions to rial icons, to the title are usually describe these split along genera- books as user- tional lines. Some friendly seems an of his peers have understatement. "kibbitzed" him With millions about it, he says, of copies in print adding that while and new titles for some the title is being published on off-putting, a regular basis, a younger people guide to something familiar with the Jewish was series "have been inevitable. The delighted." Complete Idiot's The title sug- Guide to Jewish gests "that we're History and Culture Easy-co-read coverage of event:. spanning from i:fle Old Testament going to teach you ro by Rabbi Benjamin Key Jewish figures such as Kirig something in a Blech David.Albent Einstein. arci Goicia non-intimidating (Alpha/Macmillan; The Jewish culturzi experience , in the arts. poinics. it's t s not way" $18.95) is the first. area :ports talking down to Rabbi Blech, people but "speak- associate professor ing to them where of Talmud at they want to be addressed," he says. Yeshiva University, covers 6,000 years The headline on the back cover reads, of Jewish history, taking on big ques- "You don't have to be a talmudic tions like Jewish identity in brief scholar to learn about Jewish history." takes, and following the Jewish jour- With 200 different books in the ney from Adam and Eve to Philip Complete Idiot's series, Macmillan Roth, Elie Wiesel and Jerry Seinfeld. Publishing Editorial Director Gary But what about the title? If an art Krebs says the company sensed a lover's guide to Paris implies that the "demand" for a Jewish title. Krebs author and reader love art, what does describes the book's audience as being Sandee Brawarsky is a freelance anyone with an interest in learning writer based in New York. about the subject. SANDEE BRAWARSKY . Special to The Jewish News In "The Complete Idiot's Guide To Jewish History and Culture," Rabbi Benjamin Blech reaches _out to worlds of people who wouldn't ordinarily buy a book by a rabbi. ' \ L....Rv.Y unt li>1..b: ■ n•fn or cef •Raw Juice Bar •X/egetarian mid non-vegetarian entrees •Catering fora Occasions •Banquet 1400111 Facilities the pre,n7 Thank you for all the support. We wish our friends & customers a very healthy & happy Passover. Open for Lunch & Dinner 7-Days 4189 Orchard Lake Rd. Orchard Lake, MI 3/26 1999 90 Detroit Jewish News 4 S62, 1Cefl. Beniktmi" $fe;1 : "