Explains the core spiritual values of Judaism in language children can understand. Questions at the end of each chapter engage kids and let them offer their own thoughts. A special section helps parents and kids find places to perform acts of tzedakah.
"A great resource for kids with every kind of Jewish background, even if you are a kid with two parents who are rabbis-like me!"
-Joshua Zecher Ross, Age 13, Bar Mitzvah Parshat Noah 5759
"Reminds our young people that becoming b'nai mitzvah is less about the quality of their performance than about the quality of their lives. It is an important contribution in helping our youth make coming of age a sacred passage."
-Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso (Reconstructionist), author of In God's Name, God's Paintbrush and other books
"A sensitive work that will help a young Jew be more aware of God's Presence on the day of bar/bat mitzvah and remain aware of that Presence in the everyday experiences of life that follow."
-Rabbi William H. Lebeau (Conservative), vice chancellor, dean of the rabbinical school, the Jewish Theological Seminary
"We've used Putting God on the Guest List in our b'nai mitzvah program for many years. I've always wished for a companion book that could talk to the kids themselves. This is the book I've been waiting for!"
-Rabbi Laura Geller (Reform),Temple Emanuel, Beverly Hills, CA
"Hey kids-between learning your portion and writing your speech, read this book. Then you will have a bar or bat mitzvah to remember!"
-Dr. Ron Wolfson, author of God's To-Do List: 103 Ways to Be an Angel and Do God's Work on Earth; Fingerhut Professor of Education, University of Judaism, Los Angeles
"This wonderful book has the capacity to inspire and transform tens of thousands of bar and bat mitzvahs, and they in turn will inspire and transform future Jewish life in America."
-Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, author of Words That Hurt, Words That Heal
"Does it for kids! Provides lots of powerful answers to their real questions."
-Joel Lurie Grishaver, author of Shema Is for Real, and editor of Hanukkah: The Family Guide to Spiritual Celebration
