Book Review Category
Great Reading Picks for the Hebrew School Classroom
Posted on August 8, 2023 Leave a Comment
The Mitzvah of Teaching Children The Torah commands us to teach our children and with Rosh Hashanah fast approaching, so too is the start of the religious school year in many synagogues and temples. As a teacher myself, I’m also preparing for the return to the classroom. I teach a group of children ranging in […]
[Book Review] An Exciting New Release from Claudia Hagadus Long
Posted on April 12, 2023 Leave a Comment
By Claudia Hagadus Long Our Lying Kin by Claudia Hagedas Long is a thought-provoking and insightful novel that explores the complexities of family dynamics and the way that secrets and lies can tear even the closest of relationships apart. The story follows the lives of the Sutton family, a wealthy family living in a privileged […]
[Book Review] A Humorous New Release from Michael Goldberg
Posted on April 12, 2023 Leave a Comment
By Michael Goldberg Zieglitz’s Blessing by Michael Goldberg is a moving and thought-provoking novel that takes readers on a journey through the lives of three generations of a Jewish family living in New York City. Set against the backdrop of the Civil Rights movement and the Vietnam War, the book portrays the struggles and triumphs […]
[Book Review] A Brilliant New Release from Roberta Silman
Posted on October 26, 2022 Leave a Comment
By Roberta Silman Roberta Silman’s latest novel Summer Lightning is historical fiction at it’s finest. A meet-cute between two young people at an air field, in 1927, begins a story about the immigrant experience in the United States. Belle and Isaac face many challenges, both interpersonal and socioeconomic, as they begin a new life, in […]
[Book Review] A Humorous New Release from Sarah Lavane
Posted on October 26, 2022 Leave a Comment
By Sarah Lavane Sarah Lavane brings a conversational style to her memoir on the challenges of being a single woman in the world of Orthodox dating. Lavane’s story is very relatable, even for those dating outside the Orthodox community. Her experiences are at times funny and at times heartbreaking. Lavane gives a very honest take […]
[Book Review] A Nest of Snakes by Deborah Levison
Posted on October 12, 2022 Leave a Comment
By Deborah Levison Brendan Cortland lives a life of solitude. His primary interaction with other people comes from online shopping, discussion boards, and weekly therapy appointments. Brendan struggles to manage symptoms of PTSD. But despite years of therapy, he has never shared the source of his underlying trauma. Until, at the age of 47, he […]
[Book Review] A New Memoir by Sarah Birnbach
Posted on September 28, 2022 Leave a Comment
By Sarah Birnbach The Mourner’s Kaddish is a traditional Jewish prayer, written in Aramaic. At the loss of a parent, child, or spouse, it is traditional to recite the prayer for eleven months. After the loss of her father, Sarah Birnbach commits to reciting the Kaddish, twice daily, in synagogue, for eleven months. Birnbach describes […]
[Book Review] A New Memoir by Elisa Bernick
Posted on September 21, 2022 Leave a Comment
By Elisa Bernick Growing up in suburbia Minnesota among a predominantly Christian population, Elisa Bernick understood she was different. Her mother, Arlene, was far from fitting in with the other mothers of 60s and 70s midwestern life. Bernick’s talent for journalism shines in this well-presented memoir. What I found unique about this story was Bernick’s […]
[Book Review] A New Veronica Rosenthal Mystery by Sergio Olguin
Posted on September 21, 2022 Leave a Comment
By Sergio Olguín (author), Miranda France (translator) Sergio Olguin brings us book three of his Veronica Rosenthal Mystery series. Currently available in Spanish, the English translation is currently scheduled for release on September 20, 2022. I was delighted to receive an advanced copy for review. Olguin sets the third installment in this series in Buenos […]
Beautiful Books with Latin Jewish Voices – Celebrating Sephardic Literature
Posted on September 19, 2022 Leave a Comment
It’s Hispanic Heritage Month! In celebration, I’ve compiled a reading list of books featuring Latin Jewish voices. One of my goals this year was to honor the diversity within the Jewish tribe. Much of the Jewish representation we see are Eastern European Jews but our tribe is made up of many, unique and wonderful voices. […]
