Judaism has survived for 3,500 years by embracing a few, some arguably paradoxical ideas: Life is hard. It also has the potential to be joyous. Every single human has a spark of something extraordinary in them. And every one of us should try to do 1 percent better. In The Jewish Way to a Good Life, straight-shooting Rabbi Shira Stutman distills thousands of years of Jewish wisdom into practical, time-tested strategies for living a more meaningful life. She reminds us: You don’t have to be Jewish to do Jewish. And she tells us how.

When looking for inspiration on how to live well, a go-to source is other cultures. We’ve learned how to warm our homes with hygge and to find meaningful work with ikigai. We practice mindfulness and yoga, rooted in Hindu philosophy, and study astrology, seeking insight on human nature. Now, The Jewish Way to a Good Life reveals unique insights from Jewish culture that anyone can adopt to find meaning, cultivate good values, and experience joy.

Judaism isn’t just a religion, it’s an ancient culture with much to teach us about modern life. The book covers topics including kindness, love, rest and relaxation, health, education, community, and more.