Heart of a Stranger

Praise for Heart of a Stranger:

“A moral masterpiece … that speaks to head, heart, and soul.”
—Senator Cory Booker

“A story that begs to be told… engrossing.”
—The Washington Post

“In this beautiful, searing memoir by one of the most extraordinary spiritual leaders of our time, Rabbi Angela Buchdal draws back the curtain on her origins, her path, and her profound purpose. In a way, you could say that this book you hold in your hands is a sacred document itself, full of questions rather than answers, exploration rather than didacticism, and the greatest gift a member of the clergy can give us all: permission to belong.”
—Dani Shapiro, New York Times bestselling author of Inheritance

“Love and light live in Angela Buchdahl’s extraordinary memoir. It comes at a time when the world needs reminding that all our hearts must remain open to the oneness of humanity—and, not least, to the outsiders among us… Crossing over is at the heart of the Jewish experience, and in exploring the arc between home and promised lands, memory and meaning, Buchdahl has given us a memoir of profound insight and hope.”
—Henry Louis Gates Jr., Alphonse Fletcher University Professor and Director of the Hutchins Center for African & African American Research at Harvard University

“In a moment of rising social division, racism, and antisemitism, this stirring call for unity resonates.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“[Buchdahl] writes with clarity and purpose. She calls for unity within Jewish communities despite their differences, honors her Korean roots, and faces questions of race, identity, and belonging with honesty and humility. Her story shows the courage required to embrace complexity and hold difficult truths with compassion.”
—Booklist

“Beautifully written and steeped in Jewish values… [Buchdahl] manages to offer a universal message through the lens of Jewish wisdom.”
—Hadassah

“Come for the story; stay for the sermon. Honest, intelligent, and tender, this memoir of a one remarkable woman’s journey tells a story of everyone’s need to be part of and in service to something larger than themselves.”
—Angela Duckworth, New York Times bestselling author of Grit

“In her wonderful debut, Heart of a Stranger, Angela Buchdahl helps us understand how ancient biblical ideas can help us flourish in our confusing modern age. With great storytelling and stirring flashpoints of wisdom, Buchdahl offers insights on everything from immigration and hospitality to the pursuit of truth and living in a state of “radical amazement.” This heart-opening book offers guidance for living a deeper and more loving life, whether or not you are Jewish or believe in God.”
—Jonathan Haidt, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Anxious Generation

“An astonishingly beautiful story … the journey and wisdom of a deservingly renowned leader. A must read.”
—Jeannie Suk Gersen, Harvard law professor and The New Yorker contributor

“Rabbi Angela Buchdahl’s Heart of a Stranger is the perfect book for our times. It brings a highly personal vision of tolerance, kindness, hope, and wisdom to a world in desperate need of them. Buchdahl’s account of her life-journey richly illuminates contemporary Judaism and addresses with unfailing grace and courage highly sensitive, bitterly contested issues of race, gender, and ethnic identity.”
—Stephen Greenblatt, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Swerve: How the World Became Modern

“Buchdahl’s eloquent memoir braids a narrative of growth and discovery with sermonic reflections on biblical texts. This is a book about finding a calling, but it is also a book about inclusion… . Amid the noise of current conflict, Buchdahl’s voice invites us all to sing along. An inspiring life story of believing and belonging, told by one of the most influential figures in modern American Judaism.”
—Kirkus

“A beautifully told story about the call to spiritual leadership… In our fractured world, it’s so important to think beyond easy categories of religious and cultural identity. Rabbi Buchdhal’s book explores many threads of Jewish life and teaches us to celebrate
complexity.”
—Allegra Goodman, New York Times bestselling author of Isola

“Reading this book is a powerful and moving experience. Buchdahl’s journey is fascinating, but what comes through is the real meaning of leadership: the humility, curiosity, vision and integrity it takes to carry a community through water and fire.”
—Dara Horn, author of People Love Dead Jews

“Rabbi Buchdahl has lived an inspiring Jewish life. Her book is full of invaluable and actionable lessons…displaying courage and clarity.”
—Dan Senor, New York Times bestselling author of Start Up Nation

Angela Buchdahl is the first Asian American rabbi. She serves as the Senior Rabbi of Central Synagogue in New York City, the first woman to lead this flagship congregation in its 185-year history. Under her leadership, Central has grown to become one of the largest synagogues in the world, with live stream viewers in more than one hundred countries. She has led prayers in the White House for two U.S. presidents and is frequently featured on national news outlets including Today, NPR, and The Wall Street Journal to speak on the moral issues of the day. Rabbi Buchdahl and her husband live in New York City and have three children.

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