Kind Words for The Avian Rebbe

  • "Judaism has long affirmed how the natural world awakens the depths of religious spirit. In this work, the photographer Aaric Eisenstein captures the beauty of birds and combines them with words of wisdom from Jewish tradition to inspire and teach us. His is a book of spiritual sensibility."

    Rabbi David Ellenson - Chancellor Emeritus, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion

  • "The Avian Rebbe Takes Flight is a delightful book that combines the author’s passions of birding, bird photography, and Judaism. The photographs are beautiful, and each lesson beautifully complements the photographs. Many birders feel the spiritual component to their birding as does the author."

    Frances Cerbins - Director at Large, Texas Ornithological Society & Past-President, Travis Audubon Society

  • "Aaric Eisenstein, my former student, in this volume, artfully demonstrates his dual loves of ornithology and Torah. His perceptive observations of a large variety of birds become a religious experience for this Avian Rebbe. I highly recommend Aaric’s book for all who find beauty in nature and in our Jewish tradition."

    Rabbi Samuel M. Stahl - Emeritus, Temple Beth-El in San Antonio, TX

  • “With a camera and devoted attention, the Avian Rebbe discovers wonder – and even joy – in the darkest days of the pandemic by refining his powers of perception to reveal the light of Creation radiating from the wonder of bird life. The Avian Rebbe links spectacular avian photography with reflections on Jewish texts to welcome readers into the ever-present revelation of the Divine in nature, as accessible as the backyard or any urban park.”

    Elizabeth Allison, PhD - Founder and Chair of the Graduate Program in Ecology, Spirituality, and Religion at the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco, CA

  • "This book captures the beauty and wonder that birds inspire. After soaking in the rich color of each photo and the spectacular language of each reflection, I am reminded that it is no wonder bird imagery finds its way all over our Jewish and Christian Biblical witness."

    Rev. Hilary Marchbanks, Senior Pastor, Saint John’s United Methodist Church in Austin, TX

  • “I felt like I was wandering along a quiet path, my eyes and ears filling with the beauty of a hummingbird’s ruby throat or the ‘joyful prayer’ of a wren’s bursting song as my heart soaked in the wisdom of ancient Jewish teachings on faith, mercy, justice, joy, splendor, and humility. Breath-taking, refreshing, and restorative, with just a touch of humor, I will read this book again and again.”

    Amy Sugeno - Writer, Birder, Wildlife Biologist, and Ecotherapist

  • “A teacher after my own teacher's heart...and soul! Aaric Eisenstein, as artist, writer and teacher, offers up one profound gift after another in Avian Rebbe. His camera and pen together create joy, provide meaning, and exude gratitude and intention. Is it okay to have a favorite? Maimonides's highest level—'to invest in another what he needs to become self-sustaining and thus able to help others in future.’ You have done that. Thank you.”

    Virginia Rose – Founder and President, Birdability

  • The Best of All - “I love about the Avian Rebbe that the pictures he takes of the birds are very beautiful. The stories he says are very interesting about birds I never saw before. I always love listening to the Bird Guy!”

    Ethan Cohen - Age 6