God Said What?! #MyOrthodoxLife

A mysterious letter shows up from an old college boyfriend throwing Meryl’s life into turmoil. When a local rabbi warns her that her ex, David, has been brainwashed into a cult, Meryl is pulled into the mystical world of religious Judaism in a way that her stubbornly atheist self would never have expected. Once a free-spirited Grinnell College grad living a hippie life in Berkeley, California, she now finds herself in Israel on a rescue mission to bring him home. To accomplish her mission, Meryl must come face to face with her heritage and her own beliefs about God and the universe while struggling with the powerful pulling of her heartstrings and her hope of building a life together with the man who she has always believed to be her soulmate.Winner of the GOLD award from the Nonfiction Book Awards!"Reading Miriam Racquel Feldman’s memoir God Said What?! feels like sitting down across from the author to listen to her candidly speak her mind in a way others wish they could, and leaning in to hear her whisper innermost thoughts and personal reflections she’s not quite sure should be said aloud in mixed company.Readers–regardless of their religious, cultural, or familial background–will find her raw honesty refreshing and relatable, not to mention educational (the Glossary of Terms and the Resources section at the back of the book are incredible), as the author shares her recollection of conversations, interactions, and traditions that give insight into aspects of the Jewish faith that may be unfamiliar to many.A journey like the one Feldman writes about in her book is understandably emotional. Feelings are splashed across every page, and the author’s writing style pulls readers into those moments easily. God Said What?! will inspire many in ways they don’t even expect by the time they turn the final page. A truly special book!"~ Nonfiction Authors Association Book Awards Program“I distract easily—and I could not put this book down. The author's words spoke to me as if she was sitting across the table, leaned over with a cup of tea, sharing every detail. I was with her every step of her journey, following her open heart and curious nature through defiance and resistance, to becoming a woman of unshakable faith and contribution."—Gail Tremblay, Martha Beck certified life coach“Miriam writes in a voice that resonates with so many of us, from a place that feels both refreshing and skeptical, with a heart that pounds with life. —Rabbi Tzvi Freeman, senior editor at Chabad.org, and author of several books, including Bringing Heaven Down to Earth“This book was amazing! I could not put it down; it kept me riveted. I think many diverse people will benefit from and enjoy this book. I feel there is something in this book for everyone to gain from. The captivating storyline, the great amount of Jewish knowledge included, and the easy style that it is written in make it an excellent read.”–Mrs. Chaya Moryosef, Program Director, Florida“‘God Said What?!’ is a memoir of a woman on a journey, physical and spiritual, crossing continents seeking an awakening that she is not aware of. I found myself nodding, wondering where the next chapter was going to take ‘us,’ for the journey is one we all take. I was pulled forward, as Miriam learned that there is a spiritual, hidden side to us all. The writing is engaging, compelling. I responded with tears and laughter, as Miriam set out to “save” her boyfriend, finding herself instead. This book is about discovering what the purpose of our existence is. Everyone who reads this will connect on some level to this tale of miracles and hope that occur in everyday life, in this mundane world.” –Deborah S. Adelman, Ph.D., RN, NE-BC; Professor of Graduate Nursing; Purdue University Global Read more