Off My Chest

About the Book

As you will see inside this book, most letters were in response to articles, stories, or other issues affecting Jews. Richard’s criticism also touches on Christianity. Religion is very much a hands-on topic for Mr. Levik. Originally, letter writing was intended as a safe outlet for release of frustration and anger, never expecting such angry and sometimes vicious letters to be published. Astonishingly, provocative letters were published. Inside OFF MY CHEST you will see the published version, the unedited version, along with letters and a few articles which were never published. Whether these letters changed hearts or minds, you be the judge. Read OFF MY CHEST, see if your heart and mind are not moved, challenged, or even changed.

About the Author

Richard Steven Levik was born on the 30th Cheshvan 5720 (December 1, 1959) in Flushing, NY. Raised in the Jewish faith and ethnicity, Richard attended a Conservative Temple for Hebrew school, after public school for four years, until his bar mitzvah. Richard had many vexing questions while learning about Jewish history. Eventually it became clear that being Jewish was not something he wished to remain. At the age of 20, Richard became a Christian, for a few years. This was another label with which Richard could not fully identify. Nonetheless, the experience and knowledge of Christianity remains invaluable. Nine years later, Richard journeyed to Los Angeles, one year after earning his B.A. Mathematics, with a minor in Jewish Social Studies from Hunter College, 1988. In Los Angeles, Richard earned his teaching credential in 1992 and in 2003 completed an M.A. History program at CSULA. In Los Angeles Richard continued to extricate himself, in order to gain a healthy objectivity towards his Jewish identity. Not really wishing to “fit in,” nor seemingly able to, Richard discovered a healthy outlet, letter writing.