by Rabbi Brian Zachary Mayer (author, rabbi, and subscriber to the UCFORUM)

In the words of the author:

“My aim is for the book’s revolutionary message—dedicating ourselves to caring, kindness, & love—to reach and help many people as possible.”

and

“This book is my attempt to set the record straight with regard to religion and who has the authority to declare what is and isn’t God’s word. (Spoiler alert: it’s you.). I hope my Highly Unorthodox Gospel will help you live a beautiful spiritualigious life—separate from organized religion—a life filled with compassion, kindness, and love.

Subtitle: A Modern Guide to Compassion, Kindness and Love for Others (and Self) 

My review comments:

I have located Rabbi Brian’s book in the literary genre of creative non-fiction. It is part personal essay, documented subject matter from the real world of what he calls the “spiritualigious” life, and part biography, based on exhaustive personal and lived research with refreshing humour.

The credibility of his novel perspectives is affirmed by his clear locating of the contexts of his reflections which capture the mind of the reader and draw them into an empathetic relationship with his and their experiences.

This unconventional discourse is both interesting and informative with a high motive to link its message to everyday life of friends and acquaintances, most of whom are identified by name.

The reader can fill in the gaps when questions are raised drawing on their imagination and experience. At all times the author is empowering the reader as he seeks the truth and challenges with these questions.

He assumes the reader is ‘spiritualigious and nonconformist’. His expressed goal is to use the book to teach how to reach the highest level of loving kindness, and to unlearn old, failed practices.

He provides many opportunities to interact with the text putting the emphasis on raising questions over provision of answers. It is an invitation to be self-reflective and, unexpectedly for a rabbi, a call to ‘come to Jesus’.

As a life journal and guide to the practice of love, this text has a lot to offer people trying to put meaning to their own spirituality and life values. Importantly, it emphasises that power to discern life’s meaning is in the hands of the individual who is free to call on further resources to reach this goal.

Applying the integrity of a good teacher, Rabbi Brian consistently encourages the learner to think positively about their own ability to decide on truth. At the same time, they should not dwell on disagreement about this understanding.

On one thing he is adamant though. He asks “are you willing to lean into love?” and responds with “Beloved, dive into loving. It is good, and it is right. It is what you are called to do!”.

I enjoyed the book, and it has made me rethink my way of relating to the world.

Paul Inglis 28th April 2024

About the Author:

Rabbi Brian left synagogue, mainstream Judaism to teach math to inner-city high school students. He now runs ROTB.org, a worldwide, internet congregation of over 3,000 members. He enjoys constructing small bios, making stained glass lamps, and gaining mastery on the French horn. He and his family live in Portland, Oregon,

Career experiences include Rabbinic work at the Temple Judea West San Fernando Valley, California (6 years), Teaching experiences at De La Salle North Catholic High School, Portland,
Mathematics Teacher—Grades 9 – 12 Math Department Chair Los Angeles Leadership Academy Los Angeles, California, Champs Charter High School for the Arts  Van Nuys, California, The Princeton Review, New York, New York.

Academic achievements include a Doctorate in Divinity from Union Hebrew College, New York (Honorary) in 2023, a Certified Consultant in Leadership and Group Dynamics 2019, Oregon Teaching Credential with Full Authorization in Mathematics 2013, Master of Arts in Education 2009 from Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education & Psychology Los Angeles, Master of Arts in Hebrew Letters and Rabbinic Ordination 1998 from Hebrew Union College,

Other Comments about the book and author:

“Rabbi Brian was just the guest speaker my congregation needed to hear! He has an engaging
style that made complex ideas, like stages of faith, fun to explore. He really embodies the best of ‘rabbi as teacher.’ Most of all, he was able to help people mess around with notions of God, from the ridiculous to the transcendent. Now that he has broken open the GOD-BOX, my job of helping people explore what God can mean to them is so much easier.” – Rev. Sarah Schurr • West Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship • Portland, OR

“Revolutionary…Rabbi Brian weaves a bewitching combination of borscht-belt humor and a
Dharma talk. Imagine a Jewish Ray Romano channeling Ram Dass.” – The Jewish Journal of Los Angeles.

How to get a copy: go to rabbibrian.com

oOo