Readin' Rabbis

Did you know that the word "rabbi" means teacher? Rabbis generally love to read, and ours are no exception! Let's learn a little about the reading habits of some of our own rabbinical staff.

Rabbi Richard Agler

What was your favorite book when you were a child?

Can’t remember just one in particular, but I loved biographies, histories, sports books and adventure fiction (e.g. Jack London, Jules Verne.)

What is your favorite Jewish book?

The Torah of course. It has everything and it is boundless!

What are you reading now, or what books are on your nightstand right now waiting to be read?

About to read “The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy” by Walt and Mearsheimer.

How do you feel when you are reading a really good book?

Like I don’t want to put it down.

What do you like best about our library here at CBI?

So many things! But mostly when I see the students—and their parents—learning in it.

Rabbi Robert Silvers

What was your favorite book when you were a child?

I loved Sherlock Holmes stories, Jules Verne stories and I had a book about Houdini (I can't remember the title)

What is your favorite Jewish book?

I love Harold Kushner's "To Life" and also Naomi Levy's "To Begin Again."

What are you reading now, or what books are on your nightstand right now waiting to be read?

Harold Kushner's "How Good Do We Have to Be" also "The Light and Fire of the Baal Shem Tov," and a new collection of Jewish Stories Volume I (can't remember the exact name) I also just finished reading the last book of Harry Potter.

How do you feel when you are reading a really good book?

Relaxed, stress free. I'm able to concentrate and focus on something enjoyable and not think about work or other worries.

What do you like best about our library here at CBI?

I always find something new in our CBI library which can be helpful to me. Just before the High Holidays I found the "Speakers Sourcebook" which provided me with some new stories and anecdotes that I used to prepare for the HHD services. I was so impressed with the book I have even ordered one for my personal library.