Hadassah Magazine's Guide to Jewish Literature – July/August 2019

This riveting and candid memoir begins when Susan’s teenage daughter dies suddenly from a brain tumor, and the family’s decision—with the counsel of their rabbi—to donate Laura’s organs. This deeply personal story speaks to anyone who fears when that next bad event will occur and wonders how they will respond. This book reveals the human ability to grieve, survive, and eventually thrive.

In the Bronx of the mid-century, most of us lived in apartments. While that isn’t an exotic lifestyle, those I encountered were often exotic creatures. As a shy, impressionable kid, I did much observing. And those observations, especially from a child’s viewpoint, have fascinated friends for years. Here are my memories of the crazy and sane people who influenced my life from my early childhood, until I married and moved. Their influence never stopped because I moved. Over the decades, I have encountered some and a few I have sought out. We all relish being remembered and so have they.

In Tel Aviv, under daily missile attack during Operation Desert Storm, when every heart seeks comfort and companionship, complex affairs and a world of crisis bring conflicts of love, betrayal and unforeseen commitments. A young charismatic nurse lives and works by her own code of honor in a strict Orthodox hospital—until one day a married doctor emerges with a campaign of seduction that could endanger her livelihood, reputation and self-respect. “…a powerful first-hand look at what everyday life was like in Israel when most Americans were watching Shock and Awe on the 24-hour news channel.”—Mike Ball, Erma Bombeck award-winning author.

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.

Recently widowed, Rivkah flees Kedesh, refusing to marry her husband’s brother. Malakhi has secretly loved Rivkah for years, but after her disappearance, he throws himself into the war against the Canaanites and is forced to confront both of their wounds—including the shocking truth that has kept her from returning.

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.

“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.

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.

Eighteen-year-old Leigh is stuck between a rock and a hard place as she arrives at a Tel Aviv hospital, seeking information about her probable biological father, Dr. Sloan. Despite everyone’s advice, Leigh decides to face the challenges of the legal system in Israel. During her quest, Leigh is exposed to violent religious intolerance, faces life in a county where church and state are not separate, and meets the man who may be her first true love. A complex, suspenseful and engrossing tale of doubts, trust, budding romance, and two bullets.

See the year through Jewish eyes! Now in its sixth year, THE JEWISH EYE wall calendar features unique paintings and thought-provoking captions by D. Yael Bernhard, inspired by Torah, Israel, Diaspora, and holidays. Grids include Hebrew and secular calendar for 5780 (September 2019 through September 2020); candle-lighting times; weekly Torah portion and Jewish holidays in Hebrew and English; and major secular holidays.