Meet Me In The Middle

Author: Michael Feldstein

Michael Feldstein writes a weekly column on contemporary Jewish issues for The Jewish Link, a newspaper serving several Jewish communities in the New York Metropolitan area. “Meet Me in the Middle” collects more than 90 of the author’s best articles in this book. Feldstein writes about Chabad, Israel, antisemitism, synagogue life, Jewish education, Modern Orthodoxy, and a host of other topics, with a personal flavor that has made his writing extremely popular with readers. Other essays include Feldstein’s reflections on everyday life, as he effortlessly weaves together personal anecdotes and universal lessons. This is a treasure trove for anyone seeking to gain wisdom and perspective on life.

PRAISE FOR “MEET ME IN THE MIDDLE”

"Michael Feldstein captures the pulse of life and infuses our minds and hearts with navigational wisdom and our fleeting moments and experiences with meaning and soul. His writing is clear, captivating, and always relevant and inspirational. "

"Michael Feldstein’s poignant essays beautifully illuminate the nuances of everyday experiences, effortlessly weaving together personal anecdotes and universal lessons. As I read through them, I could hear his voice relating his life stories, and each one left me with a smile on my face. While rooted in Jewish experiences, the themes explored transcend cultural boundaries, making this collection a treasure trove for anyone seeking wisdom and perspective."

"Michael Feldstein’s warmth, intelligence, and keen sense of history and humor shine through brilliantly in each of his columns, which we have been privileged to publish in our paper these past few years."

"Michael Feldstein has captured the spirit of everyday Orthodox life with warmth and sincerity. His observations, memories, and musings are heartfelt and spot on. We might be sitting at the Shabbat table with him as he takes us on a journey, sharing insights around the challenges of modernity. I urge you to join him! You will find yourself smiling inwardly and quoting him to others "

"You will not find a better guide to Jewish life, past and present, than Michael Feldstein. Whether he is introducing you to a memorable personality of his youth, recounting the history of a neighborhood or event, or prescribing a solution for a contemporary problem facing the Jewish community, he brings a keen and observant eye, a modest mindset, and a non-judgmental attitude which allow his readers to emerge informed and inspired."

“A season is set for everything, a time for every experience under heaven.” (Kohelet 3:1) “This beautiful collection contains poignant reflections on meaningful life experiences. It is the kind of anthology that reminds its readers to appreciate every interaction and never to take life’s small gifts for granted.”

"What a spiritual and intellectual delight to read Michael Feldstein’s humane and emotionally enriching essays. Filled with humor and the joy of Jewish insight, these essays are spiritually elevating, touching the core of our being and filled with emotions to enrich our lives."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michael Feldstein has been a direct marketing professional for more than 40 years.

He graduated with an MBA in marketing from New York University and has lived in Stamford since 1982. Feldstein is a member of both the Young Israel of Stamford and Congregation Agudath Sholom and has served on the adult education committees at both synagogues.

He chaired the community’s Eruv Association and is a long-time member of the Stamford Chevra Kadisha. He chaired the Young Israel of Stamford’s rabbinic search committee three separate times. In 2009, he founded and chaired the Committee to Advance Modern Orthodoxy in Stamford, a community growth initiative that has been very successful in attracting many young Orthodox families to the Stamford community.

Feldstein served on the board of Edah, and currently is a board member for YUConnects. For the last two years, he has been publishing a weekly column in The Jewish Link.

His works have also appeared in The Jewish Week and The Forward.