Readers Comments

I love it. I was reading it on a subway platform and I found myself davening... and I've never davened before! It's really beautiful. It's a way into Jewish prayer for me and I've never had one. Thank you.
—Eric Davis, New York, NY

Thanks so much for writing a prayer book that assumes that we are all thinking individuals.  I am really enjoying it!
—Sue Stern, Dayville, CT

The siddur is the most meaningful I've ever seen, but organized prayer and Jewish prayer are not a steady part of my life.  I wish I had seen it first when I was in Hebrew School and going to Temple practically every Saturday.
—Susan Picker, Brooklyn, NY

This is a rich creation, one which can be used by the new davener for learning and the experienced davener for inspiration. Eit Ratzon is not just another interesting Siddur, it is a spiritual and intellectual endeavor of incredible depth, conceived by a prayer master. We had the opportunity to use Eit Ratzon at our daughter's Bat Mitzvah. The Siddur received multiple compliments from our guests including Jews active in communal life and non-religious Jewish friends. Not to be missed.
—Bruce Birnberg, East Brunswick, NJ

As someone who rebels against blind confining patterns, I was thrilled with the 'alternatives' and explanations.
—Karen Alkalay-Gut, Tel Aviv, Israel

I've now used versions of Siddur Eit Ratzon for almost 4 years. It's wonderful to have a complete siddur for the Shabbat and holidays that I can use, as written. The Hebrew is complete, the English sensitive to gender and other concerns. I constantly learn from the notes; the kavvanot strenghten my prayers; and many of the "new prayers" or additions fulfill previously unmet prayers needs, in a style and voice that is internally consistent and is not a jarring departure from traditional styles. Siddur Eit Ratzon has great integrity and is a wonderful contribution to the spiritual life and growth of the community.
—Jerry Langer, Highland Park, NJ

I have had the pleasure of davening from this very special siddur, with its generally traditional Hebrew and its beautiful, egalitarian translations, kavannot and notes. I experience Siddur Eit Ratzon as a gift from Joe of his deep learning and spirituality, and I feel most blessed to be the fortunate recipient.
—Judy Richman, Highland Park, NJ

I'd like to add my endorsement of the new Siddur Eit Ratzon. Every word of the Hebrew is transliterated; the spiritual journey of the liturgy is explicitly laid out; wherever there is something new, the traditional is preserved to allow for choice; and the commentaries are thoughtful and illuminating. It's a magnificent contribution.
—Chayyim ben Fishel, Portland, Maine

I find that the Siddur is easy to davven from and lead from. The layout is spacious. That helps me to slow down and breathe, to rest on a line, go deep, and really taste it. The side notes and alternatives are excellent and help to deepen the davvening. Your translations are fresh and breathe life into and add new dimensions to the tefilah. And having the interlinear English/Hebrew/transliteration is a crying omission from many Siddurim; this will allow people of all levels to participate with ease. In short, I really like it and am glad that you created it.
—David Blumenstein, Alexandria, Virginia

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