About the Book

Book Cover Bylines and Blessings by Judy Gruen

What happens when career ambition begins to clash with cherished religious values? In this illuminating memoir, award-winning author Judy Gruen shares how she resolved these seemingly conflicting drives.

From an overconfident young journalist earning her chops with a small publisher, a major university, and a Fortune 500 corporation, she learns to rise above rejection and rookie errors in pursuit of professional excellence and growth.

Later, as she navigates writing and motherhood, Gruen’s values increasingly steer her course. Understanding that words create worlds, she chooses to write about life through the lens of Jewish teachings-in pointed response to a society growing more hostile to traditional religion. After a crisis of professional confidence, she turns to a trusted mentor who helps her find the blessings in the bylines.

This engaging memoir is filled with humor and depth. Reading it will feel like having a heart-to-heart talk with an old friend.

For Book Clubs

Praise for Bylines and Blessings

“Gruen’s memoir is both insightful and courageous, and well worth reading for anyone, writer or not, interested in the trials of navigating a politically and religiously inhospitable environment. A perceptive memoir, written with both boldness and restraint.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Gruen is an effortlessly good writer, an effortlessly funny writer, and an effortlessly deep writer, though there is nothing effortless about writing. My endorsement is from the heart.” — Howard Rosenberg, Author, Blizzard of Lies

“Gruen tackles issues I’ve thought about but never dared to make public, and I’m grateful for her relatable voice and courage.” — Laya Saul, Author, Sisterhood of the Copper Mirrors—The Legacy of the Jewish Woman

“Judy Gruen’s memoir will inspire anyone struggling to build a career… and a life. Highly recommended!” — Salvador Litvak, Director of Man in the Long Black Coat, influencer at Accidental Talmudist

“Bylines and Blessings is smart, funny, interesting, deep, charming, honest, brave, and real. I loved it.” — Mark Schiff, Author, Why Not? Lessons in Courage, Comedy and Chutzpah

“A Jewish journalist is not so different from a Christian journalist where faith and ambition bump up against each other. Gruen tells the stories of hard life lessons with engaging humor and reveals that with faith, grit, and love of God and family, life does indeed offer resounding success.” — Patti Maguire Armstrong, Bestselling Author of the children’s “Dear God” series, journalist at National Catholic Register

“As someone who spent 40 years as a journalist, I understand the daily battles to not only get the story, but to get it right. Judy Gruen also understands this, and writes about her fascinating career with humor, depth, and poignancy.” — Matthew Schwartz, Eight-time Emmy and Murrow award-winning reporter; author, Confessions of an Investigative Reporter

Reviews

“Judy Gruen is the Orthodox Erma Bombeck.” — Jewish Action

“Gruen chases passion for the written word the way some today endlessly chase more followers online. Reading Bylines and Blessings made me feel like I was talking to an old, trusted friend.” — Jewish Journal

“A very personal, touching, thought-provoking, inspiring and captivating read.” — Jewish Press 

“Bylines and Blessings would be especially meaningful for those looking for advice about integrating traditional Jewish values and career ambitions.” —Jerusalem Post 

Interviews

“The most fun chapter was writing about scoring an interview with famed saxophone player Clarence Clemons of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, when I was 22 and had zero qualifications to do so. It’s a great story about pure chutzpah and a weird way to mend a broken heart.” — Sheila Bender’s Writing It Real

“My kids have watched me succeed and grow but also fail. Those were valuable lessons for them.” — The Franciska Show

“Oh, the pain of having to leave so much delicious material on the proverbial cutting-room floor! Maybe one day, I’ll sneak some of it into a novel, but for now, I’d rather stay married.” —Washington Independent Review of Books author interview

“I like to write in ways that are unexpected, stimulating but not jarring. This keeps me in a constant state of growth. I love writing about people and their journeys, about relationships and connections.” —Interview, Words Create Worlds, with Lynne Golodner

“Part of the message is that I learned to redefine success as having impact, and becoming the best that I can be. I’m probably not there yet. But I’ll never give up on the quest for personal and professional growth.” —Elevating Voices with Joelle Tamraz

“When you write about your own life you’re never writing only about your own life. Unless you’re a hermit, you’re also writing about other people, and you need to be careful. You need boundaries. —613 Books Podcast with Heather Dean

“I love my work as a non-fiction book editor, helping writers tell their stories in their voices.” —Tip of the Tongue Podcast