The JGirls Guide: The Young Jewish Woman's Handbook for Coming of Age Paperback – March 1, 2005

I purchased this book for my great niece who is 10 years old. She has just begun preparing for her Bat Mitzvah and this book is a great guide for her journey as a knowledgeable Jewish girl. It provides topics for discussion at the end of the chapters and is a really good book for a mother and daughter to read together. It gives her mom the opportunity to explain things and answer questions during this learning process.I highly recommend this book for pre teen Jewish girls.

The subtitle tells it all. This volume addresses teenage girls directly on topics such as Jewish identity, friendship, honoring parents, body image issues, sexuality, health, gossip, social responsibility and more. Three authors make for a somewhat disjointed reading experience. A very long introduction greets readers and tells them (repeatedly) what to expect. The format of each chapter, with its many sections, quotes, questions and exercises, wrings every last drop out of every topic. The style of the book is a breathlessly excited, energetic charge up a mountain of information. The Jewish aspect of each topic under discussion is explained through historical and modern viewpoints, with plenty of back up from original texts. A consciously neutral point of view embraces all streams of Judaism and levels of observance. This book would be an excellent resource for youth group leaders to use in leading discussions or workshops on teen issues. It may also serve as a guide for parents struggling to talk with their kids about sensitive topics. Self-aware young women may enjoy the navel-gazing quality of the book, while others will find it tiresome. Some kids may be turned off by the attempt of the adult authors to sound "cool" by inventing the term "JGirl." Recommended for ages 12 - 18 where Jewish teens are heavily served.Reviewed by Heidi Estrin

I ordered this for my tween daughter and was SHOCKED at the content!! I think it should be for ages 18 & UP!!

as does my Judaic studies Girl's Group. It speaks to today's teens unlike many of the stodgy outdated Judaic books that are at many congregation's libraries.

A wonderful resource for all jewish teenage girls! Covers all the topics a parent would like to discuss with their teenage daughter through an engaging, down to earth, and confidence building manner. This book should be read by parents alike to help us identify with present day teenage issues. The innovative format of presenting each topic and Mitzvah through the Jewish viewpoint, citing sources and using teenage girls' personal anecdotals followed by specific activities is sure to provide lots of information, support and even resources for additional reading.This book, a must for Hebrew Schools and Day Schools, youth organizations, camps, etc., provides so much "food for thought" for discussions groups and guided questions and activities outlined in the book.Where was this book when my older daughter was a teenager?

The JGirl's Guide is an invaluable book for young girls. If you would like your friend, daughter, student, cousin.... to get much more out of their bat-mitzvah, and so much more out of being a Jewish teenager - struggling with identity, as well as common teen issues such as food and peer pressure. What a wonderful idea to finally come out with something fun and interesting in an era where we sometimes need to be reminded that even though life can be a party, we must not forget how meaningful it is- and when we are reminded and taught, then it because that much more fun!

The JGirls Guide is a well written and insightful journey through issues confronting teenage girls today. Written in an informative but nonjudgemental way, this book provides a connection, a sense of belonging by forming a bond of a Jewish identity and purpose for all Jewish girls regardless of their affiliation and background. This book empowers Jewish teenage girls by providing practical tools and coping skills for making good choices in their lives as Jews. The practical guidelines, thought provoking questions for discussions, and specific ideas to help carry out each Mitzvah, are unbelievably constructive methods for chanelling positive energy throughout the teenage years.

This was a great book! It was very insightful and I felt it was written specifically with me in mind. I think it's helped me become more in touch with my Jewish soul. JGirls Guide is a book written for my age group that makes me look forward to taking my place as a Jewish woman.

Bought for a friend