Book cover of A Daughter's Kaddish: My Year of Grief, Devotion, and Healing

Book description

A woman breaks with Jewish tradition to honor her late father in this moving memoir of faith, grief, and transformation.

A Daughter's Kaddish recounts Sarah Birnbach's year-long odyssey to persevere through an unfamiliar world of Jewish prayer. To honor her beloved father, Sarah commits to reciting the Mourner's Kaddish…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked A Daughter's Kaddish as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Sarah Birnbach’s beautiful memoir, A Daughter’s Kaddish, is an inspiring story of deep love and respect—of a daughter for her father. 

I’m Christian and opened this book with a basic understanding of Judaism. As the story unfolded, I learned the meaning behind unfamiliar Jewish traditions, like the Kaddish. Birnbach writes of her challenging journey to push the boundaries of her own grief and gender biases to tirelessly honor her father and their faith. She writes from the heart with honesty and warmth, her prose is lyrical, and her descriptions imaginative.

As someone who lost her father prematurely, I’ve always wondered…

If you love A Daughter's Kaddish...

Book cover of These Blue Mountains

These Blue Mountains by Sarah Loudin Thomas,

A moving story of love, betrayal, and the enduring power of hope in the face of darkness.

German pianist Hedda Schlagel's world collapsed when her fiancé, Fritz, vanished after being sent to an enemy alien camp in the United States during the Great War. Fifteen years later, in 1932, Hedda…

Want books like A Daughter's Kaddish?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like A Daughter's Kaddish.

Browse books like A Daughter's Kaddish

Book cover of Guesswork: A Reckoning with Loss
Book cover of Cape
Book cover of Austen Years: A Memoir in Five Novels

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,367

readers submitted
so far, will you?

📚 If you like A Daughter's Kaddish, you might also like...

Book cover of The Swordsman of Venice

The Swordsman of Venice by Rob Samborn,

In Renaissance Venice, the deadliest weapon isn’t a blade… it’s a secret.

Angelo Mascari is a master swordsman whose greatest battle isn’t fought for crown or country, but for love. When treachery strikes and the Republic turns against him, Angelo is forced into a desperate flight that leads him across…

Book cover of Price of Vengeance

Price of Vengeance by Kurt D. Springs,

Liam was orphaned at the age of two by a group of giant carnivorous insects called the chitin. Taken in by High Councilor Marcus and his wife, Lidia, Liam was raised with their older son, Randolf in New Olympia, the last remaining city on the planet Etrusci.

As an adult,…

5 book lists we think you will like!