Books

Jewish authors slam Jewish Book Council for ‘bias toward centering Israeli, Zionist voices’

A new open letter signed by 42 authors argues that the Jewish Book Council, which was founded in 1925, should commit itself more to spotlighting Jewish voices who disagree with traditional Zionism.

Jewish book lovers gather at the Jewish Book Council's offices in Manhattan, July 19, 2023.
Don’t Feed the Lion.

Novel on antisemitism by Yonit Levi and Bianna Golodryga sells well, but New York Times ignores it

Esther Kreitman (nee Singer), born in 1891 in Biłgoraj, Poland, to a rabbinic family, became a Yiddish-language novelist and short story writer.

There was always a third Singer: Yiddish literary diamonds revealed - review

A portrait of Friedrich Torberg, Jan. 1, 1970.

A lost novel from 1943 that predicted the Holocaust has been recovered


Eli Sharabi’s ‘Hostage’ memoir named Jewish book of the year

Sharabi’s memoir, which details his abduction from Kibbutz Be’eri and the more than year he spent in captivity, became a bestseller in Israel and was later released in English in the United States. 

Eli Sharabi's memoir recounts his 491 days as a Hamas hostage in Gaza.

'The Jewish Journey Through Loss': Combining halacha and psychology in order to heal - review

The wisdom of clinical psychologist Dr. Batya Ludman and Jewish educator Gina Junger combine to create a book that balances both psychology and Jewish law.

HELPING MOURNERS to heal.

'The Morning the Apples Began to Sing': A story of wonder and imagination - review

A story of wonder and self-expression, inspiring children to imagine, create, and embrace life’s hidden miracles.

Thee are no illustrations, except for an unexpected one on the last page.

'Emily Saw a Door': Learning to create spaces for each other with creativity, acceptance - review

A story that encourages and empowers children to find the right place for them, or even to create their own.

EMILY’S JOURNEY in the land of doors. Artwork by Orit Magia

From competition to communication: Removing the strategic games in relationships - comment

The anxieties of the 2,000s led to a plethora of dating advice explaining how to "win" in relationships. Today, open communication is prioritized.

Relationship difficulties

A pro-Israel bookshelf: Top book recommendations by a veteran reviewer

Dedicated readers, I thought, might welcome the chance to learn about books and authors they could have overlooked.

Selection of best selling books in Hebrew language displayed at a bookstore in Tel Aviv, Israel, October 2, 2023

Facing the reality slap: coping when life doesn’t go as planned - opinion

The concept of the reality slap spoke to me as soon as I read the line “a serious illness.” It has since helped provide context as to why the last year has been so tough for me.

My own reality slap was made more painful by my inability to accept that it had occurred.

Stories of ghosts, grief and Shabbat gladness win top prizes in Jewish children’s literature

“Neshama,” Marcella Pixley’s lyrically written novel-in-verse, won the gold medal for Jewish children’s literature for middle-grade readers from the Association of Jewish Libraries.

“Neshama,” Marcella Pixley’s novel-in-verse, won the gold medal for Jewish children’s literature for middle-grade readers from the Association of Jewish Libraries.

250 years later, Jane Austen lives on at the Jerusalem Cinematheque

Austen was particularly adept at portraying societal circumstances with liberal helpings of wit and sarcasm.

'Pride and Prejudice' was first brought to the silver screen in 1940, and was reprised in 2005.

From Miami to Beit Shemesh: A doctor’s mission to restore Hebrew pronunciation

Dr. Norman Bloom unveils a clear path to reading Hebrew as it was intended to be spoken, after decades of study.

Dr. Norman Bloom.