REVIEWS
If happiness is an art, then Olga has mastered it. A perfectly easy guide to living a happy life.
- Sabina Singer, MA Founder and Director Insightful Days. Life Coach & Motivational Speaker
I finally got around to reviewing this wonderful book. It is not just cute little stories, but serous brilliantly done research. Obviously, we cannot expect that after reading the book we will become happy easily and quickly as if by magic. But the book does not promise it. It provides "recipes" for happiness. It compiles the many bits of Jewish wisdom from all kinds of sources - thinkers, scientists, and religious leaders.
The writing is wonderful. There is no lecturing or preaching. On the contrary, you constantly boost the readers’ self-esteem, turning our mistakes and flaws into reasons to move forward and improve. It definitely takes effort, but aren’t our joy and happiness worth it? And, like you write in the book, we should appreciate even small islands of rest and calmness in our lives; not to grumble about some things or some one that may ruin our mood; to create a balance within yourself. These tips are not new, but the book helps focus on them. I have more thoughts, but can’t put them all in one comment. My main point is to thank you very much you for this book. I gladly recommend it to family and friends.
- Sofia Kastritsa
Reviews from Amazon Customers
By Cynthia G.
Great book and a must-read for ANYONE!
What a delight! This book spoke to me in such a clear and logical manner. It is full of so many simple lessons and wisdom that I've applied to my daily life and which have helped me understand just how easy it is to experience happiness at any given moment if we choose to. Olga has done an outstanding job in presenting these Jewish teachings on happiness to non-Jewish folk like myself. We are ALL wanting the same thing in life regardless of our religious believes or cultural background, and Olga has reaffirmed that by sharing these lessons and wisdom that anyone can relate to. Great book and a must-read!
Finding Happiness
Being happy is terrific. Ultimately happiness is something we find inside us that is immune to what is happening in the world around us. It is a skill that can be practiced and mastered. All of us need to learn this skill. Enjoying reading this book and taking the steps to your future happiness.
Really enjoyable & easy read
Really enjoyable & easy read. Lots of wisdom and lots of rarely explored topics. Highly recommend to any parent, especially to any Jewish parent.
Inoculation for stinking thinking
There is some wisdom in the saying that "If you read only the books other people read, you will only think the thoughts other people think." For that reason, I am always on the lookout for authors who have read very different books from me and can offer a unique perspective. Clearly that is the case with Olga Gilburd, who is steeped in the ancient wisdom and literature of the Jewish tradition. If wisdom is born out of suffering, then few cultures can claim a more storied history of hardship and as a result their perspectives on wisdom come with a ring of truth. Gilburd's overarching assertion that happiness is a choice that needs to be cultivated is one we all need to hear. As a parent, grandparent and teacher, I find this advice invaluable and I intend to pass it on to everyone I can. If your own happiness quotient is low and you need a booster, this is the book for you. Just reading it will inoculate you from all manner of stinking thinking and get you on the road to a a happier, more fulfilling life.
The best book about happiness I've ever read!
By Inessa Suler
I read this book within few days: I am really into self -help and self -improving books, I read everything I could find on the market and in the libraries.
However, this book pleasantly surprised me: it has so many wisdom thoughts and facts from the daily , real life that when you read it, you don't even notice that it's a high level philosophical and psychological wisdom which had been delivered to you in such a subtle, matter of fact manner that you don't even noticed that it's not a novel, it's not a fiction book, but rather the book that makes you think about who you are, were did you come from, and how to make our life, especially the life of all Jewish people better and more spiritual, and help those of us who haven't found their way into our roots and religion, to find it in a most easy and less painful way.
Wonderful book! I am going to read it again and again!
I like everything, it is so well written
I like everything,it is so well written.It is amazing that a women that young could write with such WIZDOM.I do not know how to thank her for writing it.Just wishing her a lot of HEALTH and Happiness.
Four Stars
it sometimes feels like monotonous, repetitive set of "chores" to get to ...
By Ella Haldey
Life can be hard, especially with kids and work. it sometimes feels like monotonous, repetitive set of "chores" to get to the next step, without a breather. From the onset Olga sets up the reader to understand that happiness is not a mythical destination. The narrative and premise of the book gave me a different perspective on life - on the optics with which to look at situations which change my state and emotion for the better. Olga does a very good job at incorporating the Jewish sage into the meaning of happiness. There are helpful exercises at the end of some chapters that help the reader take the necessary steps to become 'happier.' The knowledge I have gained from this book have already started to transform my emotional state, and I wish I could say that I am always happy, but the truth of the matter is that changing my emotional state is a conscious decision that takes time to form into a habit, which I continue to work towards. I am glad I read this book and still go back to it every once in a while months after first reading it.
There are hundreds or thousands of books about happiness and about the art to be happy
By vadim suler
There are hundreds or thousands books about happiness and about the art to be happy. This book shows you how Jewish culture and Jewish way of life helps us to recognize happy moments of our everyday life, and use it to our advantage, at any time of life, even when we are feeling down, and sad, and even depressed.
"Happiness the Jewish Way" not only talks about facts and events that well known to any Jewish person, but also describes the general aspect of the subject happiness, not dividing Jewish and non-Jewish people, which, on my opinion, is essential in our turmoil times.
The book has a subtitle: A Practical Guide...And, indeed, the author gives a lot of examples from our daily life that make the book easy to comprehend and read, though the subject is not easy, and requires concentration and deep thoughts.
I would recommend this book to all my friends, Jewish and non-Jewish, as it gives a new and refreshing meaning of why we are here on the planet Earth, and how can we use our time to enjoy and thrive instead of complain and get angry, aggressive, negative.
a companion text with a positive outlook on life
By Yacha
The book is on my desk and I pick it up sometimes to peruse. I'm usually smiling as I read. There's a line there "Spending time with someone who is cheerful and optimistic will likely lift our mood." Olga Gilburd, the author, is that person, and her book is a companion for life. She has a positive outlook on life that never fails to encourage the reader to make choices that are good for us. And she always includes fascinating tid-bits about how this positive philosophy is espoused by the Jewish people. Think of Klezmer or the ecstatic dancing of the Hasidim. The author doesn't dwell or endorse a particular religious strain, but rather espouses a positive worldview and finds echoes of it in a variety of Jewish traditions and writings.
I am happy! An inspiring book
By Anatoly
I am happy!
An inspiring book, easy to read and easy to follow. It offers a definition of happiness that only depends on you, and not on anything else and it provides a multitude of examples and exercises to achieve this state of mind.
I was kind of surprised by how this book shifted my view of the Jewish culture. It contains lots of positive, life-affirming examples. While I already knew some of them, there are many I didn’t know and I was happy to learn about them.
I am definitely happier after reading it, and I recommend it to everyone.
Enjoyed this book
By Amazon Customer
I rarely read paper books these days, but this one is clearly a worthy exception - it has taken me entirely right from the first page. Incredibly interesting and easy read, it combines the old Jewish wisdom, deep existential thoughts and light humor. You don't have to be Jewish to enjoy this great book - the principles of happiness apply to everyone regardless of the religion. And I am an atheist! 🙂
Chicken Soup For Your Matzah Ball Soup
By Alexander Marchuk
What a great read. The time really did fly by as I read through different stories shared by some very interesting people. I'm not a big reader, nor am I religious, but this book definitely had me engaged and contemplating how I can leverage my heritage towards greater happiness in my day to day affairs. Highly recommend it!
Excellent Book!!!
By YuryS
This is a thoughtful and thought provoking book on the true meaning of happiness, with many interesting and time-tested approaches in achieving a true and lasting happiness.
A must read!
By Amazon Customer
Read the book and have heard the author speak. It's a brilliant combination of Jewish teaching and culture and a logical case for happiness. It's changed the way I think about this concept. A worthwhile and unique read and teaching tool!
Five Stars
By Stephen Salstrand
What an amazing book!
Excellent Book! Was lucky enough to meet Olga last ...
By A. Novak
Excellent Book! Was lucky enough to meet Olga last year. Beautiful soul with an amazing life experience and transformation. Highly recommended everyone her book!
Beautiful, easily understandable ways to live
By Sam Perlman
This book is excellent. Before I even read it I flipped it open and founds gems of practical wisdom. Beautiful, easily understandable ways to live. My favorite piece of advice in there. "Enjoy inactivity". I can’t wait to share it!
Read it!!!
By Alex G.
This is a great book. It is suitable for any audience. It has very insightful and easy to follow exercises. Some exercises are extremely useful and I try to use it every day. This book helps people to be happier by focusing on what you can change (hint read a book).
Five Stars
By Liana Alaverdova
The book is easy to read and full of practical advice. Recommend it anyone regardless of religious affiliation.
Great book!
By ABC
Great book!!!
Easy to read with interesting stories and examples. Made me want to start practicing happiness exercises and continue to do it! I feel my attitude changed due to it! Excellent gift for anyone!
Highly recommended read
By Valeria Khaytina
The most practical, hands-on guide to lead a happier life. Highly recommend it. Easy and compelling read.
Superb book!
By YS
Filled with wisdom and inspiration! Excellent read!
Totally great!
By A Winner
Totally enjoyed this book. Lots of great parables, insights, lessons and most of all techniques how to lead a happier life.
Five Stars
By Amazon Customer
A must read.
