The best 5 Judaism books

Originally published in 1946, Man’s Search for Meaning details the harrowing experiences of author and psychologist Viktor Frankl during his internment in Auschwitz concentration camp during the Second World War. It offers insights into how human beings can survive unsurvivable situations, come to terms with trauma, and ultimately find meaning.

• Anyone interested in psychotherapy
• Anyone who wants to know how ordinary people cope with extraordinary situations
• Anyone trying to work out the meaning of life

The Seventh Million (1991) is all about the way in which the Holocaust has shaped the Israeli identity. These blinks detail everything from the Zionist response to Nazism and the arrival of the first European Jewish refugees in Palestine to the Six-Day War and Holocaust Memorial Day.

• Jews, Israelis, Germans and Americans
• Historians and students of the Holocaust

Civilizations (2018) is the companion to a major new BBC documentary series co-presented by renowned classical historian Mary Beard. Divided into two parts, it takes a close look at the relationship between civilization and artistic representation. Beginning with the history of depictions of the human form, Beard moves on to cast an eye over the long and intimate relationship between art and religion over the centuries.

• Anyone who loved the BBC’s Civilisations series
• Art lovers and museumgoers
• Fans of large-scale comparative history

Israel (2016) offers a big-picture historical overview of the small but mighty country. From its improbable beginnings to its controversial wars with neighboring Arab states, Israel’s evolution is a story of change, tragedy, and victory. 

• History buffs interested in Europe and the Middle East
• News junkies eager to be more informed about a controversial subject
• Anyone curious about the modern political landscape

What Would You Do If You Weren’t Afraid? (2021) tells the story of how the author learned to cope with her feelings of anxiety and depression by getting in touch with her Jewish roots. The author shares what she’s learned and shows how anyone can benefit from the insights of Jewish wisdom. 

• Anyone coping with depression and anxiety
• Parents looking for guidance
• People who want to be better leaders