Category: Book Reviews

From Meidelach to Matriarchs: A Journal~ Jewish Women of Yesteryear to Inspire your Today by Mirta Ines Trupp

At first glance at the title of Mirta Ines Trupp’s latest book, I had a mental image of a young “maidelach ” cooking  “kneidlach” under the watchful eye of her “balabusta” mother, but do not be deceived, for in this Journal, the individual stories of  100 Jewish women of all ages are chronicled with careful, and insightful research  from Sara de Saint Giles in the 1300’s, to Sarah Rodrigues Brandon -1798-1828 of Barbados or Claudia Douek Roden 1936-; Jewish women of the 18th-21st century the  majority of whom you will not have heard of. Continue reading “Book Review: From Meidelach to Matriarchs: A Journal~ Jewish Women of Yesteryear to Inspire your Today”

Zaidy’ s War by Martin Bodek

In 2003, Martin Bodek recorded his Zaidy (grandfather) for four Thursday evenings until there was nothing left to be said.  He then wrote Zaidy’s War. The book is  gripping as the book details the horrors and successes of his beloved Zaidy and his family. Zaidy Bentsion born 12/17/1918, was one of four surviving children of Chantze and  Aharon Malik who lived in Marmarosh County of Northern Romania, a town populated by over 65,000 Hasidic residents.  He became a brilliant learned Jew and expert chef. Continue reading “Book Review – Zaidy’ s War”

Raising Spiritual Champs Including Yourself by Dr. Miriam Adahan

Dr. Miriam Adahan is a brilliant author. Her words of wisdom are so practical and relatable.

She takes her understanding of how our brains work and turns it into a practical guide of how to “Raise Spiritual Champs.” The book is presented in a very easy and reader-friendly way so that anybody can succeed in “Raising Spiritual Champs.” Continue reading “Book Review: Raising Spiritual Champs Including Yourself”

Body and Soul: The Torah Path to Health, Fitness, and a Holy Life by Rabbi Alexander Seinfeld and Dr. Daniel Grove MD.

Body and Soul is an outstanding health book. With sources from over a wide range of chazal (rabbinic literature), it sheds light on how one can maintain one’s health in an optimal manner over one’s entire life. Continue reading “Book Review: Body and Soul: The Torah Path to Health, Fitness, and a Holy Life”

Dignity to Survive: One Family’s Story of Faith in the Holocaust by Yona Emanuel.

Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach read Dignity to Survive on Tisha b’Av.

I have read through Dignity to Survive: One Family’s Story of Faith in the Holocaust and found it most fascinating. What stands out most about it is the determination and willingness to adhere to Torah and Mitzvos despite going through a living hell.  Continue reading “Book Review: Dignity to Survive: One Family’s Story of Faith in the Holocaust”

The Kabbalah of Writing- Mystical Practices for Inspiration and Creativity by Sherri Mandell

“Take the words and experiences and knowledge that God has granted you, your truth, and write your memoir. Be bold, creative, patient, free, and focused as you craft your life into art. Your readers are waiting for you.” Continue reading “Book Review: The Kabbalah of Writing- Mystical Practices for Inspiration and Creativity”

The Book of Jewish Knowledge- A multifaceted exploration of the teachings, observances, and history of Judaism by The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute

Raise your hand if you remember The Book of Knowledge or the Encyclopedia Britannica. The Book of Knowledge, in its little two shelf oak bookcase, sat in my bedroom, well read with covers well worn. It provided esoteric facts for those dreaded assigned essays on the important export crops of Bolivia (not sure why I needed to know that), or the demise of the British Commonwealth of Nations, or dog breeds (not assigned but useful in our houseful of pets- canaries (“Birdbrain”- self explanatory), cats (“Loopy”- ditto), and dogs (too numerous to mention)). It taught me “touch typing” on an old, manual, clickety clackety typewriter. Continue reading “Book Review: The Book of Jewish Knowledge”

It’s All the Same To Me- A Torah Guide to Inner Peace and Love of Life by Moshe Gersht

“What we will discover together is that the most important thing you can bring to the world is your true self, with all its colors- not the image that has been created by your social network, not the projected thoughts of your parents or friends.” In his book It’s All the Same to Me, Moshe Gersht colors his pages with positivity, Torah wisdom, and new and ancient philosophical teachings, guiding the reader to a better understanding of how we see the world and ourselves. Continue reading “Book Review: It’s All The Same to Me”

Unmatched- An Orthodox Jewish Woman’s Mystifying Journey to Find Marriage and Meaning by Sarah Lavane

“Once upon a time,” as the ubiquitous fairy tale states, a young girl begins a search for her prince, or in Sarah Lavane’s case, her beshert, her intended. A lovely story then unfolds, with the young lass encountering obstacles on her journey to love and marriage…and then “they lived happily ever after.”  Continue reading “Book Review: Unmatched”

The Great Game of Kashrut- Demystifying Kashrut in a Fun and Engaging Way by Rabbi Don Channen and Rabbi Yaakov (Jon) Goldman 

“Welcome to the Kashrut revolution- an exciting journey in learning the most interesting and relevant concepts in Kashrut. The Great Game of Kashrut allows readers to quickly and easily engage with concepts and halachot which were, until now, locked behind the complex Hebrew texts of the Shulchan Aruch and its commentators.” Continue reading “Book Review: The Great Game of Kashrut”