SURFING RABBI

New! Hawaii Surf Camp

What they're saying about "Surfing Rabbi"

Rabbi Nachum Shifren's new book, the autobiographical "Surfing Rabbi: A Kabbalistic Quest for Soul," is an original journey into his extraordianary life. From a carefree youth around Malibu in the 60's to his present state of teaching spirituality through surfing, his story moves through California, Mexico, Hawaii, Germany, Israel and back again searching for perfect waves and, ultimately, his true calling.

More than just a religious awakening tale, though, much of "Surfing Rabbi" is set in a distinct place and era that allowed Shifren many chance run-ins with some of the most legendary surfers in history- Micky "Da Cat" Dora, Tommy Zahn, Nat Young, Terry Fitzgerald, Eddie Aikau and Paul Strauch, Jr., just to name a few.

Longboard Magazine

"Surfing Rabbi" is the sort of G-rated surf adventure you can enjoy before flipping it to your young surfer, without fear of inappropriate sex and drug references or boring their matzos off. Shifty (as his friends call him) started out like thousands of other San Fernanado Valley boomers, surfing Malibu and reveling in his freedom. He lifeguarded for a spell, traveled the
globe, became a devotee of Tom Zahn, and paddleboarding.. but still had that hollow feeling. Enter spirituality.

Nachum's search for soul took him to a kibbutz in Israel's Negev Desert, and later to an all-volunteer army based in the Samarian mountains. Along the way, he became fascinated with the kabbala- the science dealing with the Torah. His research led him to the discovery of parables speaking directly to his affinity for water and surfing, at which point he went bull-goose Orthodox. For the last several years, his decidedly non-traditional look has been a fixture in Venice, Malibu, and Hilton Beach in Tel Aviv. With his unshorn beard, yarmulke, and plain black-and-white garb, Shifty cuts a figure more typical of Brooklyn's sweat shop districts than the beaches of L.A. County- until he hits the water!

He's an excellent longboard surfer from the California point-wave school, and his years of paddling, running, and swimming have kept him in admirable trim. Mentally, he's no slouch either, and is able to rock fluently in English, German, Spanish, Hebrew, and Yiddish. Both attributes hint at why this is such a unique addition to the surf lit shelf.

Scott Hulett, editor Surfer's Journal

Fascinating, readable, and ultimately important spiritual autobiography as compelling and original as its author.

Michael Medved, film critic, nationally syndicated Radio host

Shifren has constructed engaging parables and fascinating studies of the surfing life from his own deeply involved point of view. Gentiles, Jews, and secular beach rats of all stripes will find adventure here.

Scott Hulet, editor, The Surfer's Journal

Surfing Rabbi is a masterful and engaging account of Shifren's odyssey from his assimilated Jewish background to full Jewish consciousness and observance an inspiration to Jew and non-Jew alike a great book, with universal appeal!

Rabbi Moshe Wisnefsky, co-founder, Ascent Institute, editor, Gal Einai Publications

An amusing and at times brutally honest self examination an incredible journey.

Jon Moryl, Chief, LA County Beach Lifeguards

What they're saying about "Surf and Soul"

"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."

Ira Opper, surf film cinemaphotographer

"I'm glad to see that young people have really responded positively to Rabbi Shifren's words and work."

Bud Jacobs, Principal, Venice High School, Los Angeles

"Extremely well written and definitely describes the surfing experience with much feeling."

Rabbi Yosef Loschak, Chabad of Santa Barbara, California

"I think that what Rabbi Shifren is doing is one of the most unique forms of outreach that I have seen."

Professor Richard Hecht, Chairman, Dept. of Religious Studies, UCSB

"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!"

Rabbi Aaron Parry, Young Israel of Beverly Hills

"...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!"

Mike Doyle, legendary waterman and big-wave surfer (author of "Morning Glass")

"Quintessential waterman Nachum Shifren has squeezed the meaning of life from our mother ocean!"

Mark Klammer, veteran big-wave surfer and long-time resident of the "Mexican Pipeline"

"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."

Tom Snyder, 30-year lifeguard veteran at Leo Carrillo Beach, master doryman, and author

"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!"

Bill Morris, author of "Stoked"

"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 Maintainance' seem like child's play!"

Tzvi Fishman, Hollywood screenwriter and author of "Tuvia in the Promised Land"

"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."

David Ben-Dor, Holocaust survivor, historian, and author of "The Darkest Chapter"

"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 thelatent 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!"

Rabbi Moshe Wisnefsky, co-founder of Ascent Institute and editor of Gal Einai Publications