by Haviva Ner-David

"One of the things that makes this book special is that it’s not a story you’ve read before. There are plenty of memoirs about people who make a journey from totally secular, or even Christian to rabbi, and there are plenty of others about people who started out ultra-Orthodox and found their way out of religion, but this is definitely the only book out there about a female Orthodox rabbi who becomes an interspiritual minister." -- by Rabbi Dr. Barry Leff, The Neshamah Center

“What happens to a groundbreaker when the ground keeps on breaking? In this memoir, Rabbi Rev. Haviva Ner-David powerfully chronicles her struggle to be accepted as a rabbi and scholar within the Orthodox movement, and her eventual discovery that Orthodox Judaism doesn’t fit her any longer. Along the way, she shares the love story of her marriage, her struggle with chronic illness, her path as an interfaith minister, and her pain over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Throughout the fabric of the book, Ner-David weaves in the bright thread of her dreamwork practice, showing how, over time, her dreams tell her the truth of her life and reveal her path forward. A must-read for anyone who has changed more than they expected—or anyone who wants to learn how dreams can open the door to a new life.” — Rabbi Jill Hammer, Ph.D, author of Undertorah: An Earth-Based Kabbalah of Dreams

“How did a nice Jewish girl from the Orthodox New York suburbs become a post-denominational interspiritual rabbi minister? By following her heart step-by-fascinating-step through the difficult work of being human. In Dreaming Against the Current, Haviva Ner-David invites readers to gently brush away the excuses and justifications that keep them from living fully. Throughout the pages, she models how to gaze lovingly at our disappointments, missteps, and lingering heartbreaks to seek the healing lessons these outcast moments can offer. Weaving together religion, spirituality, and personal introspection, Ner-David creates a glorious tapestry that inspires each of us to become the artisan of a meaningful and sacred life.” — Rev. Sarah Bowen, author of Spiritual Rebel: A Positively Addictive Guide to Finding Deeper Perspective and Higher Purpose

“Reverend Rabbi Haviva Ner David blesses us with her third and most powerful memoir yet. Her journey from a healing woman of Judaism to a healing woman of all of humanity brings with it stunning insights, aching moments of clarity, and a glimpse of what it means to live a life of freedom. Haviva is one of the most honest, compassionate, and caring writers, and demonstrates what it means to live with authenticity and loyalty to oneself and the universal spirit. The story, threaded between lofty dreams and the mundane of everyday existence is a wonderful teaching about life.” — Elana Sztokman, Ph.D, author of Conversations with my Body: Essays on My Life as a Jewish Woman

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“Haviva’s beautifully-written Dreaming Against the Current is a glorious interplay of daily living, dreams, and powerful spiritual realizations. As such, it has called me to a deeper level of trust, surrender, and authenticity in my own life and spiritual practice. In learning more about Rabbi Reverend Ner-David’s devout practices and the depth of being they have developed in her, I am inspired. I suspect this book will extend such a gift to all its readers.” — Rev. AnnE O’Neil, author of If You Want the Rainbow, Welcome the Rain