An excellent and personal look at the way that Judaism is changing as it becomes centered on the US and Israel. Timely, engaging, and thoughtful.

God is in the Crowd: Twenty-First Century Judaism, was written by Tal Keinan, a social activist who has served as a fighter pilot in the Israeli Air Force. I became interested in learning more about the Jewish identity after visiting Israel a year ago, and I'm still trying to learn about the country's history and its modern day issues.

Keinan writes about his secular Jewish family's experiences and his concerns that Jews in American and Israel are losing their collective memory and spirituality, even to the point of extinction. He uses his knowledge as a business leader, and his wisdom as an activist, to propose a model for Judaism, and community in general, for the future.

I recommend this book and will re-read it to help me better understand the past, present and future of the Jewish people. I received an e-copy from Netgalley but my opinions are my own.

God is in the Crowd is a look at the future of Judaism if followers were to use the Wisdom of the Crowd.
The most interesting part of the book in the look at Jewish history and Tal Keinan's personal history with Judaism. I enjoyed learning more about the history of the religion within a more contemporary time period. More than anything, I was most fascinated with the look at Israeli Jews and how they lived their lives, especially where military service is involved.
I had some empathy as Judaism is facing some of the same issues as Christianity that made it easier to understand the specific and special issues that just apply to Judaism. Keinan has a point that affects all religious doctrines; without looking at the population and understanding their ideas about their own religion, it cannot grow. While I understand and support this idea, his next idea on how to move forward is far more radical.
Keinan starts looking into politics and mixing politics with religion. This seems to be a move backward as government-run religion never works out for the outliers of the religion. Keinan speaks of incorporation and committee of the various factions while putting the president in charge harkening to ruling similar to the Pope.
The other aspects he presents is A Jewish World Endowment fund that would provide camps, teaching, and higher education. Jewish citizens would put in a certain percentage of income to receive these services at no additional cost. But once again, this is government run which leaves very little room for dissent.
The author hopes this book creates discussion. I am sure it will because it gave me strong opinions.

This is a wonderful book on Jewish continuity. It is part memoir and part a look at how to make Judaism and its people last more than three more generations. I highly recommend this book.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion of it.

Unfortunately, I had a bit of trouble getting into this book. Not sure I would recommend it for that reason. I was not familiar with the author but thought it was worth an attempt.