Archives

[Book Review] Watch Out for Pirates: Tales from a travel writer’s life by Jules Brown

By Jules Brown In his third installment of his travel memoirs, Jules Brown regales his readers with anecdotes from his years of experiences. Taking inspiration from a travel diary he discovered, belonging to his grandfather, Brown incorporates a generational take in this book. This is my third book by Brown and I enjoy each one […]

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[Book Review] Jewish Noir II by Kenneth Wishnia and Chantelle Aimée Osman

By Kenneth Wishnia and Chantelle Aimée Osman Jewish Noir II is a collection of twenty-four stories from a combination of Jewish and non-Jewish writers focusing on topics including the resurgence of anti-Semitism in the US, the influence of stereotypes about certain Jewish communities on anti-Semitic attitudes, Israel’s ongoing legacy of regional warfare, the Jewish role […]

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[Book Review] The Next Pair of Shoes by Chaya Rochel Zimmerman

By Chaya Rochel Zimmerman The Grinburg family lives in a Polish shtetl. A young family, just started out, they are faced with a difficult choice. Pogroms against their little community at the turn of the century making decision about seeking safety elsewhere. Froyim, a shoemaker, leaves his wife and infant son, in order to start […]

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[Book Review] Shtum by Jem Lester

By Jem Lester Based on the author’s personal experiences, Shtum follows the story of Jewish father, Ben Jewell, is struggling to cope with the care of his ten-year-old son Jonah. Jonah is on the spectrum and non-verbal. Stress of his care and navigating the British social services system, which will decide Jonah’s placement for future […]

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[Book Review] Escape Route by Elan Barnehama

By Elan Barnehama Escape Route, set is 1960s New York, opens with Zach’s Bar Mitzvah. As the Vietnam War reaches it’s peak, Zach becomes fixated with the war. As the son of first generation Holocaust survivors, Zach is fearful of history repeating itself and his family being rounded up. So, with the help of his […]

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[Book Review] Atomic Anna by Rachel Barenbaum

By Rachel Barenbaum Atomic Anna is the story of three incredible women spanning three generations. The first is Anna Berkova, a nuclear scientist, working the Soviet Union in 1986 when Chernobyl melts down. It is at this moment she accidentally discovers her ability to time jump and is reunited with her estranged daughter, Molly. Molly […]

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[Book Review] Lemons in the Fog by Chaya Rochel Zimmerman

By Chaya Rochel Zimmerman Meir Rosen is looking forward to a gap year experience, studying in a yeshiva, in Israel. But he finds himself experiencing some unusual symptoms leading to a surprising diagnosis. Meir faces uncertainty in seeking to recover his mental health while navigating his relationship with his family and cultural expectation of his […]

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[Book Review] 365 Days of Gutsy Women by Rosemary Roenfanz

By Rosemary Roenfanz The history books are largely silent on the contributions of women. Generations of them who have made incredible contributions while receiving little to no recognition. That is until now. Roenfanz has created a well-researched collection of mini biographies, celebrating the contributions and accomplishments of women throughout history. Many of them largely ignored […]

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[Book Review] Ten Years Gone by Jonathan Dunsky

By Jonathan Dunsky A survivor of the Shoah, Adam Lapid immigrated to Israel, working as a private detective. Tasked with a seemingly hopeless case, Lapid has a soft spot for a mother seeking her missing son. He finds himself attempting to untangle a web of secrets, lies, and deception that could put him in mortal […]

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[Book Review] Choosing Hope: The Heritage of Judaism by David Arnow

By David Arnow Dr. Arnow’s new release explores various sources of Jewish text and tradition that provide the primary sources for seeking hope in an ever changing world. The book considers nine sources including: Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), the Exodus, HaOlam HaBa (the World to Come), Israel, and Jewish Humor, among others. Dr. Arnow […]

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