Posted on 02/09/26
Jerusalem, Israel - Feb. 9, 2026 - Ronit Ziv-Kreger, author and editor of Soul Full: Gateways to Jewish Prayer, reached into her bag at the close of a Momentum event in Neve Ilan, outside Jerusalem, and handed me a copy of her book.
“It’s not a siddur,” she emphasized.
Yet a glance at the subject index, spanning more than eleven pages, from Adon Olam to Zemirot, suggests that Soul Full occupies a meaningful space alongside traditional prayer books.
Published by Momentum, the volume brings together contributions from trip leaders, community and lay leaders, staff, and participants. Among those involved is Rabbi Yitzchak Berkovits, Rosh Yeshiva of Aish HaTorah, who writes, “I have reviewed every page, offered guidance throughout its development, and enthusiastically endorse it.”
Since 2016, Ziv-Kreger has served as Momentum’s Director of Education, working to extend the organization’s impact on families, communities, and institutions. That experience is evident throughout the book, which is designed for women returning home after an intense spiritual experience in Israel, often with limited prior exposure to traditional Judaism, and seeking ways to sustain that inspiration.
Soul Full begins with the morning blessing Modeh Ani and serves as a structured yet accessible prayer guide. Each tefilah appears in Hebrew with nikudot, alongside transliteration and clear, careful translation. Facing pages include sections titled Think, Reflect, and Connect, inviting readers to engage intellectually and emotionally. Personal prayers, contributed by Momentum participants from around the world, add warmth and authenticity.
I found the book especially enjoyable to read on Shabbat afternoon, reflective without being demanding, and well-suited to quiet, thoughtful moments. Each chapter opens with a concise introduction and explanation, and the glossaries are thoughtfully crafted to help readers understand unfamiliar terms. Daily, Shabbat, and Yom Tov prayers are covered in detail; for example, the bedtime Shema is presented in four parts.
One standout chapter, “Hearing the Soul Speak: Prayers for Vulnerable Moments,” offers prayers for a wide range of life experiences, from birth and marriage to illness and grief, providing readers with emotional and spiritual support.
Since its founding in 2008, Momentum has reached more than 23,000 mothers in 36 countries, with a mission to empower women to change the world through Jewish values. Participants receive Soul Full during their trip, and many return to it as they integrate learning, growth, and purpose into daily life.
The book invites deeper engagement with Jewish prayer, blessing, and meditation, while strengthening a sense of belonging to the global Jewish family. It was recently selected for the National Jewish Book Award shortlist.
I recommend Soul Full to anyone seeking meaning, inspiration, and foundational Jewish knowledge in an approachable, thoughtfully designed format.
Soul Full: Gateways to Jewish Prayer
Ronit Ziv-Kreger, editor
ISBN: 978-1-59264-675-3
Hardcover, 480 pages
Maggid Books / Koren Publishers, August 2025
$39.95