Here All Along

Judaism is in the midst of a renaissance, with thousands discovering its timeless wisdom and spirit. This book is the story of one such person's journey into the heart of Judaism. Sarah Hurwitz has always had an affinity for the arts and for social justice movements, but she never felt like she found a place to call home within Judaism. As a political speechwriter, however, she met many people involved in Jewish spiritual life and convinced her to check it out. After a decade as a political speechwriter, serving as head speechwriter for First Lady Michelle Obama—for whom she crafted what NPR called the "most memorable among dozens" of Democratic National Convention speeches—and chief speechwriter for Hillary Clinton on her 2008 presidential campaign, Hurwitz took time off and went to an introductory class about Judaism. She was blown away by what she discovered: beautiful rituals, practical advice on living an ethical life, and conceptions of God that went beyond the judgy bearded man in the sky—none of which she had learned in Hebrew school or during the two synagogue services she grudgingly attended each year. The result is this book, written by a political wordsmith turned spiritual seeker who explores connections between ancient texts and modern life with warmth and vibrant detail.