The Wagamama Bride: A Jewish Family Saga Made In Japan

Features of The Wagamama Bride: A Jewish Family Saga Made in Japan

Contrasting wedding ceremonies-a lavish Imperial Hotel Shinto affair for his side, a modest Jewish wedding for hers-set the stage for a fascinating union between two spiritual seekers, who raise their children in Tokyo with Jewish and Japanese roots.Wagamama means selfish in Japanese, but not in the sense of hoarding cookies. Having an opinion that goes against tradition can be viewed in Japan as selfish. With the author coming from a line of feisty, opinionated, secular Ashkenazi Jewish women, friction was inevitable-despite the fact that she married into a remarkably peace loving family, who respected her need to connect to her Jewish faith, after trying to follow their Buddhist, Shinto, and Taoist traditions. It was not easy.Grunberg-Wakabayashi shares the inner process of returning home, with the help of two Lubavitcher families, who set up communities in Tokyo. She finds at these Chabad Houses what she needs to feel fulfilled and content, despite marital challenges. This memoir is full of scintillating conversations, memorable characters, art and synchronicity, sad endings, and joyful beginnings.