X-Book

Surfing Rabbi

Click Buy to Log in and see personalised pricing.

Send as a gift Get in the xigxag app

Listen to a sample

What to expect

Growing up under the spell of surfdoms coveted mecca, Malibu Beach, Norm Shifren risks missing his own bar mitzvah to take his first shaky ride at the fabled surf spot. Benignly apathetic about his Jewishness, Shifren pursues his dream of becoming a big-wave surfer, lifeguard, and triathlete.

Shifren’s circuitous journey evolves into a spiritual quest that takes him from the pristine waves of Hawaii and Mexico, to intermarriage in Germany, a soldier’s duty in Israel, and finally, to a small shtetl in Israel, where he learns the mysteries of the Jewish ancients.

His true-life saga is one of new found Jewish consciousness and eye opening self-revelation. Shifren’s life comes full circle as he finds G-d not in the synagogue, but in the majesty of Jewish mysticism and the vast power of the ocean.

Critics Review

“Gentiles, Jews, and secular beach rats of all stripe will find adventure here.”

The Surfer's Journal

“Fascinating, ultimately important, a spiritual autobiography as compelling and original as its author.”

Michael Medved, film critic, nationally syndicated radio host
Author Nachum Shifren
Narrator Nachum Shifren
Duration 6 hours and 53 minutes
Release Date
ISBN 9798212708289
Format Audiobook
Genre Biography and non-fiction prose, Biography: general, Memoirs
Availability AU, GB, IE, US

About xigxag

xigxag is an independent, UK-based audiobook platform and the UK’s only B Corp certified audiobook company. We offer nearly 150,000 audiobooks, all with professional human narration. No AI-generated voices. xigxag is rated an Ethical Consumer Best Buy for audiobooks and a top-rated ethical bookshop.

There is no subscription. You buy the audiobooks you want, you own them permanently, and prices start at £8.99. The more you listen over the year, the less you pay per book, and there is always a selection in Listen for Less from £3.99. You can also send audiobooks as gifts using our audiobook gift cards or in-app gifting.

Every audiobook on xigxag has honest reviews covering both the book and the narration, and our community features make it easy to share what you are listening to, discover what others recommend, and find your next listen.

Download or stream on iOS, Android, or in your browser. Browse the full catalogue at xigxag.co.uk.