To Begin Again: The journey towards comfort, strength and faith in difficult times - Softcover

In the tradition of ‘When Bad Things Happen to Good People’ this inspirational work is an accessible guide to recovering from personal tragedy and loss.

Naomi Levy is an articulate rabbi who in her adolescence was shocked by the violent murder of her father into a spiritual struggle. At that time she lost her faith in the idea of a benevolent God and felt let down and alone. Her book speaks to to anyone whose life has been shaken in a similar way. She tells how she and many of the members of her synagogue who have been buffeted by tragedy have found the courage to redefine their faith and return to life. She helps us no matter what our religious beliefs are – to gather our forces after the death of a loved person, after a physical assault, after a divorce. or after wounding loss of a job.

How to we rebuild our lives after a major loss or tragedy? The answer is never simple, but in this profound and moving book Naomi Levy offers the reader guidelines for recapturing our hope and innocence.

This powerful and inspirational book tells us how to survive, and thrive, emotionally and spiritually when we feel overwhelmed by pain, loss or life itself.

Where do we find the strength to rebuild our lives after difficult times? Is it possible to recapture our hope? Our innocence? Our faith? The answers t these questions – never simple, but always inspiring – are found in this wonderful book.

Naomi Levy was a bright, cheerful fifteen-year-old who awoke to the devastating news that her father had been shot. His senseless murder shattered her belief in God and left her feeling helpless and full of rage. But, in time, she managed to find her way through the darkness. She describes with humour and extraordinary honesty how she managed to emerge victorious over sorrow.

later, in her years as the rabbi of a congregation in California, Levy quickly learned that her own painful experiences were not unique. Many members of her congregation had also suffered – divorce, addiction, rape, loss, illness. In a beautifully written work Levy weaves together her own story and the struggles of her congregants with the lessons of the great sages, to remind us that we are far, far stronger than we ever imagine.

'To Begin Again' is a book that will be passed to friends when tragedy strikes, a book to pick up during troubling times. It is a testament to the human spirit – to the undying strength that enables us to make our way through whatever darkness we may face, and begin living once again.

"A source of great comfort when dealing with the truly big stuff."
Richard Carlson, author of 'Don't Sweat the Small Stuff...and It's All Small Stuff'

"Naomi Levy's voice is a voice of clarity, comfort and compassion."
Rabbi Harold Kushner, author of 'When Bad Things Happen to Good People'