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[Book Review] The Hidden Saint by Mark Levenson
Posted on March 16, 2022 1 Comment
By Mark Levenson Based on Jewish folklore, The Hidden Saint, follows Rabbi Adam. When his family is nearly wiped out Rabbi Adam sets off on a quest to destroy a supernatural force and recover his youngest son, who has been abducted. The story centers around 18th century Eastern Europe and interweaves fantasy, magic, and mysticism. […]
[Book Review] The Mandarin Seed by Olga Swan
Posted on March 9, 2022 Leave a Comment
By Olga Swan Set in 1930s Vienna, no one wants to believe the horrors of war will cross the Austrian boarder. But with the terrors of the Nazis increasing, Eva and Michael, along with showgirl, Marta, needing to find a way out. As the situation continues to grow increasingly desperate, planning their escape becomes increasingly […]
[Book Review] The Promise of the Pelican by Roy Hoffman
Posted on March 9, 2022 Leave a Comment
By Roy Hoffman Hank Weinberg, an octogenarian and survivor of the Shoah, is adjusting to new roles in life, after retiring from his law practice. That of widower and ‘Gradee’, grandfather. He suddenly finds himself in the role of primary caretaker to his grandson, with the help of his Honduran babysitter, Lupita, when his daughter […]
[Book Review] Masada: Thou Shalt Not Kill by Shimon Avish
Posted on March 2, 2022 Leave a Comment
By Shimon Avish Set against the backdrop of the tumultuous second Temple period, we meet Daniel. At the age of 18, Daniel is abducted by Sicarii assassins. Determined to survive, Daniel finds himself forced to abandon Jewish law and to follow the ways of his captors. Daniel finds himself encountering choice after choice, shaping him […]
[Book Review] Night of Beginnings: A Passover Haggadah by Marcia Falk
Posted on March 2, 2022 Leave a Comment
By Marcia Falk In time for Pesach 5782 comes a new Haggadah by Marcia Falk. This new text provides the full narrative from the Exodus and provides a feminist perspective on the familiar story from the perspectives of Miriam; Shifrah and Pu’ah, the Hebrew midwives responsible for saving the lives of Hebrew babies; as well […]
February 2022 Wrap Up
Posted on March 2, 2022 Leave a Comment
Welcome to my February Wrap-Up! I managed to cross another twenty-five titles off my reading list and am already two-thirds of the way to my reading goal for the year. I’ve had the opportunity to review five wonderful books this month and have included links to my weekly reading lists as well. Join the conversation. […]
[Book Review] The Prophetess by Evonne Marzouk
Posted on February 23, 2022 Leave a Comment
By Evonne Marzouk When Rachel loses her grandfather, a survivor of the Shoah, during her senior year of high school, she finds herself seeking answers to questions with no one to answer them. The rest of her nuclear family is not observant of their Orthodox faith. Rachel finds herself with a large number of questions […]
Celebrating Diversity – Books by Black Jewish Writers
Posted on February 21, 2022 Leave a Comment
This month, in honor of Black History Month, I wanted to bring you a reading list featuring books by Black Jewish Writers. The Jewish community is a rich tapestry of many diverse voices and our literature is reflective of that. I’m looking forward to adding these books to my own reading list and learning more […]
[Book Review] The Foundation of Judaism by Akiva Aaronson
Posted on February 16, 2022 Leave a Comment
By Akiva Aaronson Let’s start with the back cover description of this book: “The fundamentals of Judaism in one book! The Foundation of Judaism deals with the basics of Judaism ― Jewish thought, Jewish history, Jewish year and more, in one succinct yet comprehensive book. Written in a clear and readable style, with a wealth […]
[Book Review] Shmuel’s Bridge: Following the Tracks to Auschwitz with My Survivor Father by Jason Sommer
Posted on February 16, 2022 Leave a Comment
By Jason Sommer Seven decades after arriving in New York from war-torn Europe, Jay Sommer is losing his memory, erasing stories of his family, his escape from a labor camp, the important memories of his past. This has his son, Jason Sommer, reflecting on the trip he took with his father in 2001 to retrace […]
Heidi Slowinski 