Nation shall not lift up sword against nation,

neither shall they learn war anymore.

Isaiah 2:4

The Jewish people are dreamers of a most extraordinary dream. It is the dream of a complete and perfect world in which there is no hunger, war, or hatred--a world in which God's commandments are fulfilled and all God's creatures live in peace.

Passed on from generation to generation--from Abraham and Sarah to Moses, to Joshua, Deborah, and Hannah, to David and Solomon, to Elijah and Isaiah, to Judah Maccabee and Rabbi Akiba, and to their descendants--this dream has now been handed down to you.

But what good are hopes and dreams without a plan to make them real?

Our sages tell us that the very purpose of the Jewish people is to learn to live as a holy community so we can make our dream of a complete and perfect world come true. We believe that, together, we can succeed by living as partners with God.

As you read this book, you will see how each generation does its part and shares its experience and wisdom with the next. You will learn how to participate in the holiness of community and in the agreement, or Covenant, our people made with God thousands of years ago. And you will discover God's "voice" in Jewish history and in our holy texts.

You will also discover answers to many of your questions, questions such as, "What does it mean to be holy?" "How did the Jewish people come to have a dream?" and "What part can young people play in making our dream come true?"

We shall now meet many of the dreamers and heroes among our people. They will teach us how to live as partners with God. Let us share our questions and the answers we find as we discover ways to add holiness to our lives and honor our Covenant with God.