THE DIARY OF A ZEN MAMMA
(WHO TURNS INTO A JEWISH MAMMA)

A MEMOIR
by
BRENDA SHOSHANNA

During this startling memoir, Rebecca leaves home in Boro Park, Brooklyn for the first time at seventeen to go to a college in the mountains and explore the outside world. As destiny accompanies her, she instantly meets her acting teacher, Lance and ten weeks later, on her eighteenth birthday, runs away with him in a blizzard and gets married. Lance, from a different culture, is forbidden to her, though.

Once news of the marriage gets out, Rebecca must leave home for good and both are thrown out of college. An outcast, she now has to find where she really belongs, discover her true home.
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Rebecca and Lance immediately move into his cold water flat in Greenwich Village, in a building filled with actors, artists and assorted bookies. Lance immediately warns her, that he can never make her happy, she must do that for herself.

Shocked, Rebecca clings to her little book on Zen for guidance, wondering where her Zen Master could be? Incredibly, one day he appears. Rebecca meets a powerful, charismatic Japanese Zen Master, with whom she practices for the next forty-five years. Their unbreakable relationship and his liberating teachings permeate both the memoir and her life. And, despite insoluble differences with Lance, Rebecca is now able to experience a different kind of love. One that cannot be threatened, no matter what.

Yet the past is waiting to flood back into their lives. Danger arises as Rebecca suddenly discovers that her newborn son is on the edge of death. Desperate, she calls home, begging for help. Her brother instantly gathers a minyan, (companions in prayer) and her son is miraculously, and quickly healed.

Overwhelmed, Rebecca’s world starts spinning again. Soon she feels compelled to return to the synagogue and is compelled to continue at the Zendo as well. We explore Rebecca’s reunion with her family, her journey back to her roots, caring for her children, and the inevitable threat to her marriage. She is torn apart by what seems like radical differences between Jewish and Zen practices and their totally different lifestyles.

At the peak of her conflict, and with the help of her Zen Master, Rebecca suddenly experiences the incredible connection between both worlds. She sees how Judaism and Zen uplift and empower one another. Like two wings of a bird, both are needed to fly. Her relationship with Lance swiftly deepens as well, no matter what form it takes. Above all, Rebecca sees that the children are our real teachers, and becoming a true Mamma is enlightenment itself.

What's Being Said
​About This Book

"The Diary of a Zen Mamma (Who Turns Into A Jewish Mamma) is incredible! I really enjoyed reading it, it’s absolutely compelling. The insights and storytelling are so captivating that I could hardly put it down. The author has such a unique way of weaving together the core elements of Judaism and Zen. The person stories about her family, community and experience of the Jewish faith made the journey even more heartfelt. The book offers a very person view of a beautiful journey and many will find meaning and comfort for the doubts they are facing. This book truly brings light to the world."
Rabbi Jacob Kutuschenko Gurfinkiel
Jersualem, Israel
"I can’t adequately express how meaningful this book as to me, both as an editor and reader. It is so well-written and echoes itself in a way that few are able to achieve in memoir form. Personally, I am renewing my faith and spirituality and the words are so very inspirational to me as a wife, mother and individual. I have had a few moments in my life in which I’ve experienced awe in terms of life’s timing and connection, and having the privilege of reading this book is certainly one of those moments."
Carrie Hollister
Editor, Professor of English
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​"In The Diary of A Zen Mamma by Brenda Shoshana, it's clear to all family members that Rivkah is strange as she pesters her grandfather with many questions, unlike other girls. Against the advice of many, she decides to join an acting school far away from home. At the college, she meets Lance, who is an acting teacher, and, despite coming from totally different backgrounds, they are soon planning a secret wedding. After her parents become aware of the marriage, they kick her out immediately and inform her that she can never return. Will they ever forgive her? Rivkah is also highly influenced by Zen. Will she have to travel to Japan to find her zen teacher, or will he come to her? 

Memoirs can be tedious, but not The Diary of A Zen Mamma by Brenda Shoshana, which is uniquely written and entertaining as events in Rivkah’s life unfold. The systematic flow of events ensured no confusion, and I loved the easy-to-understand language used, which made the work accessible to all kinds of readers. I also found the book to be thought-provoking on issues such as spiritualism, the importance of family, and the role of timing in all events. The reader will also appreciate other themes covered, such as tolerance, in this amazing work. Brenda ensured that all events were vividly described and the narration was excellent, which added to the overall beauty of the book. This was an excellent read, and I look forward to reading something else by this talented author."
Frank Mutuma for Readers’ Favorite 
​"The Diary Of A Zen Mamma (Who Turns Into A Jewish Mamma) is enlightened reading. Brenda Shoshanna’s words are authentic, beautiful and meaningful and I praise her for actually growing younger in spirit from a Zen mind, beginner’s mind perspective.

In this book, Brenda Shoshanna shares her mindful-nest of illuminating insights into Zen practice and Jewish devotion and tradition. She inspires us to open our Zen eye of simplicity and great clarity; and to cultivate a warm Jewish heart of prayer, love and givenness. These two practices give us wings to fly."
Michiko J. Rolek, Author, Life Coach, Great granddaughter of Sokei-an Shigetsu Sassaki, First Zen Patriarch in the West.

Meet Brenda Shoshanna

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Brenda Shoshanna is a psychologist, long-term Zen practitioner and award-winning author, speaker and playwright. Her work integrates the principles and practices of East and West and focuses upon making them real, living them in our everyday lives. She has presented over five hundred talks and workshops on all aspects of Zen practice, Judaism, relationships, personal and spiritual development, and living an authentic, meaningful life.
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Brenda is the author of many books, including Jewish Dharma, (A Guide to The Practice of Judaism and Zen), Zen and the Art of Falling in Love, Zen Miracles (Finding Peace In An Insane World), Fearless (Seven Steps to Peace of Mind), Zen Play (Instructions on Becoming Fully Alive) and more.
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Her work has been published by Simon and Schuster, Wiley, Sterling and Perseus Books. Some of those who have endorsed her work include Marianne Williamson, the Writer’s Digest, Publisher’s Weekly, Lama Surya Das, Spirituality and Health. Brenda offered a weekly podcast for six years. 

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