Lamentations of Youth: The Diaries of Gershom Scholem, 1913-1919 Book

This book is truly a fantastic look at the lives and struggles of queer Jews who are trying to maintain ties both to the Jewish faith and their own sexual identity. With humor, sadness, and every emotion in between, the authors' collected anecdotes tell a beautiful story.

Between those who leave the faith, those to rediscover their faith, and those who refused to give up and instead are fighting for their equal seat at the table, this book shows the different facets of life as a queer Jewish person and the struggles that come both from within the Jewish community, but also from other communities who sometimes don't understand the culture and motivations of those with faith.

Through this book, one finds hope that the Jewish community is moving towards inclusion and acceptance, even celebration of all the diverse individuals who make up the many and varied sects of the Jewish faith. From Pride in Israel to a little movie which shook the foundations of the Orthodox belief, queer Jews are more and more demanding their equal rights as both queer and Jewish, and they are increasingly finding it.

Truly a joy to read (I read it in one day, if that's anything to go by), it has a place on my "Absolutely Loved" shelf.