Hadassah Magazine's Guide to Jewish Literature – March/April 2019

Young Adult fantasy for the whole family! A terminally-ill relative recovers. A living uncle possesses his own death certificate. When her brother Daniel disappears, eighteen-year-old Corinne wonders if these inexplicable incidents are connected. As she researches her Jewish ancestry, a surprising link to a medieval “sorcerer” makes everything clear: Corinne must find Daniel and defeat his captor, or her family may be erased from existence.

“A laughter-inducing novel of nostalgia and self-discovery…rooted in love, family connections, and comedic dysfunction.” —Foreword Reviews. David Melman is a successful thirty-five-year-old celebrity brander with deep affection for the 1977 Cadillac he inherited from his grandfather. But everyone in his life agrees that he needs some help in the relationship department. When David’s sister, Marcy, suggests a screenwriting class, he tentatively agrees, and readers are treated to the story of Slip and Estelle, David’s grandparents and characters in a real-life soap opera that is Jewish senior living in 1970’s Miami.

Three generations torn apart by war struggle to find love and connection. A hidden suitcase is the impetus for the author’s spiritual journey to know his grandmother, his father, and himself.  As he travels to shadowy places, Bein makes an important statement about the darkness that lies beneath the hearts of men.

“Magnificent… a novel of epic proportions that tells of three strong women, a nun, a rabbi and a minister as they face the struggle for legitimacy and recognition…”—Rabbi Stephen L. Fuchs. A Catholic Sister wants to become a priest. One of the first women rabbis and one of the first women Presbyterian pastors must choose between their lovers and their careers. When the three attend a dinner to receive an award, each recalls fifty years of her life and journey to forge a path-breaking career and find her voice, and each makes the decision that will forever change her life.

In 1905, when Rebecca leaves her shtetl in Ukraine to join Samuel in Milwaukee and Ingrid leaves Norway to become the Picture Bride of Lars, a farmer in North Dakota, by mistake officials at Ellis Island send them to each other’s destination. Lost in alien cultures, they struggle to return to their fiancés. But the love that blossoms between Rebecca and Lars threatens their plans

“Excellent and useful”—Jewish Book Council. Provides the award-winning tools and understanding you need to create a conscious, more meaningful Bar/Bat Mitzvah experience. Award-winning, innovative approach reduces stress while teaching the building blocks of a mitzvah-centered life through connections to family, friends, community and heritage. Also available: Workshops for communities and B-Mitzvah Specialist Training.

Christian missionaries calling themselves messianic “Jews,” Jews ingratiating themselves to Evangelical Christians for their support of Israel, the overuse of the term “Judeo-Christian,” and the increasing use of Jewish rituals in Christian churches are among the factors that blur the lines between Judaism and Christianity. Judaism and Christianity: A Contrast explains, from a Jewish perspective, the irreconcilable differences and mutually exclusive beliefs of the two faiths.

Highly acclaimed book teaches creative ways to experience interactions between Jewish thought and the impact of new technologies on contemporary life. Demonstrates how smartphone photography and social media can reveal and share spirituality in everything we do. Since it speaks about Judaism in the language of today’s digital culture, you should buy this book for yourself as well as for your children and grandchildren.

A young man, forbidden by law to own weapons, dreams of becoming a knight to avenge the murder of his mother and defend his people. He rescues the Baron of York and abandons his old existence, blending in and learning new customs. A conniving abbot learns the truth, threatens the young man’s family with exposure. While earning the favor of the baron and his daughter, the aspiring warrior conceals his identity–for he is not Donald but David, a Jew. 394 pages.

Essential Passover Seder includes chapters from Exodus that tell the story of Moses and the exodus of Israel from Egypt. Also included are blessings and passages from the traditional seder. Enjoy the ritual retelling of the story with colorful illustrations. Less than 30 minutes, from start to finish. $9.99.

Childhood memories evolve into a reminder to our children and grandchildren that, without them, there are no Passover celebrations. “This beautifully illustrated book touched my soul.” —Rabbi Charles A. Kroloff. “Readers of all ages will delight in this heartfelt account. I highly recommend it.” —Rabbi Ron Isaacs. The Yiddish Book Center in Amherst, Massachusetts receives donations derived from this book’s sales.

The greatest archaeological find in history! The diary of the pharaoh of the Exodus, written in his own hand, discovered after resting undiscovered for 3,500 years. Here we have first-hand proof of the historicity of the Biblical tale. But it is the pharoah’s tale, seen from his point of view, explaining, among many other things, why the pharaoh did not simply chop off Moses’ head. 514 pages.

“A very fine, sensitive book” – The Jewish Press. Once you start, you cannot stop until the end. Be inspired and comforted as the miraculous and compelling short stories reveal how Jewish burial provides eternal life and peace for loved ones. 208 pages, $5.99.

This book is based on my 42-year career as a rabbi and my personal experience as a mourner. Its messages are uplifting and positive, comforting and inspirational, universal and educational. Whether you are a recent or long-time mourner, you can find ways to cope with death and to lead a fulfilling life.