Reviews

Ira Opper, surf film cinemaphotographer:
"Rabbi Shifren's search for the perfect wave turns into the ultimate journey, a search for one's soul. His thoughts embrace the sea, the earth and his reflections of the times that shaped his quest. Just like the sport he cherishes, his life is about riding the energy of the universe."

Bud Jacobs, Principal, Venice High School, Los Angeles:
"I'm glad to see that young people have really responded positively to Rabbi Shifren's words and work."

Rabbi Yosef Loschak, Chabad of Santa Barbara, California:
"Extremely well written and definitely describes the surfing experience with much feeling."

Professor Richard Hecht, Chairman, Dept. of Religious Studies, UCSB:
"I think that what Rabbi Shifren is doing is one of the most unique forms of outreach that I have seen."

Rabbi Aaron Parry, Young Israel of Beverly Hills:
"Rabbi Shifren's strengths as a story teller and a communicator are truly incredible. I nominate "Surf and Soul" for the best-seller's list!"

Mike Doyle, legendary waterman and big-wave surfer (author of "Morning Glass"):
"...a man finding his mission. Nachum combines religion and the spiritual meaning of surfing from its roots to the present. I especially liked the stories about Tom Zahn and Mickey Dora!"

Mark Klammer, veteran big-wave surfer and long-time resident of the "Mexican Pipeline":
"Quintessential waterman Nachum Shifren has squeezed the meaning of life from our mother ocean!"

Tom Snyder, 30-year lifeguard veteran at Leo Carrillo Beach, master doryman, and author:
"Rabbi Shifren's quest, initially to ride the world's most challenging surf, has led him across oceans and continents towards a destination few would pursue. He has faced treacherous currents and mountains of water around the globe, training for, ultimately, his greatest challenge: the spiritual inner voyage to discover his own place in the cosmos, the language of revelation, and the true meaning of "dropping in" in the Heavenly line-up."

Bill Morris, author of "Stoked":
"Whether soul surfing or soul searching, Shifren's book chronicles a young man's growth into spiritual adulthood. A journey to the promised land we all should take!"

Tzvi Fishman, Hollywood screenwriter and author of "Tuvia in the Promised Land":
"Surf and Soul is a great spiritual adventure which takes the reader wave after wave toward himself and the world around him. Rabbi Shifren's journey makes 'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance' seem like child's play!"

David Ben-Dor, Holocaust survivor, historian, and author of "The Darkest Chapter":
"Rabbi Shifren's interesting, entertaining and enlightening work leads us from surf to soul, from the marvel of Creation to the light of the Creator. Its appeal is universal."

Rabbi Moshe Wisnefsky, co-founder of Ascent Institute and editor of Gal Einai Publications:
"Rabbi Nachum Shifren has written a masterful and engaging account of his odyssey from his assimilated Jewish background to full Jewish consciousness and observance. What is particularly moving about his story is the way he describes the process as a summoning and coalescing of all the latent and disparate threads of his life into a unified whole, rather than an abrupt or violent break with a regretted past. In so doing, he ably fulfills the Chassidic imperative to "know Him in all your ways." In this light, his story can well serve as an inspiration to Jew and non-Jew alike to examine the underpinnings of his existence and boldly mold all facets of his life into a Divinely-oriented whole, al while having a rollicking fun time doing it! A great book, with universal appeal and a compelling message!"