No comments about Raoul Wallenberg: Rescuing Thousands From The Nazis' Grasp (Holocaust Heroes and Nazi Criminals).

No comments about Jewish Women in America: An Historical Encyclopedia, Vol. 1: A-L.

3 comments about Praise Ba'al Shem Tov.

1. Time and imagination have ramified and refined the body of tales associated with the Baal Shem Tov. Ben-Amos and Mintz have given us an authoritative translation of the first written redaction of that corpus. Here is much of the spirituality, vitality and immediacy, along with the rough edges of historical reality. The editors have done an excellent job of clarifying that reality in their introduction and the notes which accompany each tale. I believe this is a valuable text for those who would understand Hasidism and the powerful cross currents of the Haskalah which was arriving. I would recommend as well Mr. Mintz's later books, especially Tales of the Hasidim, for a scholarly treatment of modern American Hasidic folklore.



2. Time and imagination have ramified and refined the body of tales associated with the Baal Shem Tov. Ben-Amos and Mintz have given us an authoritative translation of the first written redaction of that corpus. Here is much of the spirituality, vitality and immediacy, along with the rough edges of historical reality. The editors have done an excellent job of clarifying that reality in their introduction and the notes which accompany each tale. I believe this is a valuable text for those who would understand Hasidism and the powerful cross currents of the Haskalah which was arriving. I would recommend as well Mr. Mintz's later books, especially Tales of the Hasidim, for a scholarly treatment of modern American Hasidic folklore.



3. The book contains many important and holy stories concering the BESHT, the founder of Chassidus. Unfortunately, the translators aren't Chassids or even observant. In their attempts at a "scholarly" translation I'm afraid much of the spirituality in the tales is lost. Certainly the language is often cumbersome and the names of places and transliterations follow an odd form. Some of the footnotes are useful in identifing who the tale is speaking of for audiences that are novices, others where a topic is explained in a "scholarly" way are terrible. Still it is one of the only places to get English translations of some of these tales and so it is a good book for English speakers interested in gaining an insight into Chassidim, especially of the early days.

   They do get the right idea in that one of the best ways to get a "feel" for Chassidus and Chassidim is through Chassidic stories.

   Still, I think one can gain a better insight through reading some of the following books (either instead of, or in addition to "In Praise of..."):

   -"Rebbes and Chassidim: What They Said-What They Meant" (I absolutely love this book, it is a small book that can easily be carried with short one or two page entries that can be easily digested on first glance yet contain much wisdom- one could finish the entire book in an hour or two on the first read or each entry could be meditated upon and studied for hours.)

   "Not Just Stories: The Chassidic Spirit Through Its Classic Stories"

   "Generation to Generation: Personal Recollections of a Chassidic Legacy"

   "Visions of the Fathers: Pirkei Avos with an Insightful and Inspiring Commentary by Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski, M.D." (a bit more advanced, this is Perkei Avos with the commentary written from a Chassidic and psychiatric perspective)

   "Twerski on Spirituality "

   All by Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski (he is a prominant psychiatrist as well as a Chassidic rabbi who is decendent from a very important line of Chassidic rebbes- his lineage goes back to the Baal Shem Tov). There are other good books on Chassidus by him that you can't find here like "The Zeide Reb Motele" (about an extremely important Chassidic tzaddik and the great-great grandfather of Rabbi A. Twerski, M.D.). Most of his books are equally accessable to the novice or the life long Chassid.

   -"The Bostoner Rebbetzin Remembers: Rebbetzin Raichel Horowitz of Boston/Har Nof recalls Jewish life in Poland, America and Israel " by Raichel Horowitz. I bet you didn't know that there was a Chassidic Dynasty that was founded in America (Boston to be exact). Here are some important stories from the Rebbe's wife (Rebbetzin is a term of respect for a rabbi's wife).

   -"A Treasury Of Chassidic Tales: On The Torah" and "A Treasury of Chassidic Tales: On the Festivals" by Rabbi Shlomo Yosef Zevin

   -"On the Study of Chasidus: A Trilogy of Chasidic Essays, Some Aspects of Chabad Chasidism, on the Teachings of Chasidus, on Learning Chasidus" by Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn (the previous Lubvitcher Rebbe)

   -Also, look up "Breslov" for some good books on and stories from Breslov Chassidus (especially "Rabbi Nachman's Wisdom"
   by Reb Nathan, and "Rabbi Nachman's Stories" by Aryeh Kaplan).

   There are many more I can include but I'd like to leave this a managable size. Unfortunately, one must be careful which books on Chassidus, Chassidim and Chassidic history one picks up and many are written by those who are rather antagonistic towards Chassidim specifically and even Yiddishkeit generally and one could be influenced by their prejudices without being aware they are even there, unless you know what to look for.

No comments about Promises Kept: One Man's Journey Against Incredible Odds.

No comments about Daydreams and Nightmares: Reflections on a Harlem Childhood.

2 comments about Ten Classic Jewish Children's Stories (Jewish Storyteller).

1. Schram, a master of Jewish storytelling, and leader of the Jewish storytelling movement in the USA, retells ten classic Jewish folktales from the Talmud, Aggadah, and Torah Midrash. Each story is followed by questions which help the readers and listeners to think more deeply about the lessons of the tales and reinforce its Jewish values. For example, in the Talmudic tale about why the Sun is large, the moon is small, and the stars seem even smaller, we learn about complaining and jealousy, and how you have to be careful what you wish for. Jeffrey Alon's watercolors help to capture the essence of the tales. My favorite tale was that of Honi, the Rainmaker, as retold from the Gemara. During a drought, the people of Jerusalem ask Honi to intercede for them and pray for rain. Then they complain that it is raining too little, and then too much. Once again, you have to be careful what you ask for, I guess.



2. Compiled and retold by Peninnah Schram, Ten Classic Jewish Children's Stories presents ten classic stories of Jewish and Biblical history. Each tale is presented in a few pages and enhanced with brilliant and powerful color illustrations by Jeffrey Allon. Each individual story is also marked with points to consider, such as "How does this story show us that Miriam gave the Jewish people the strength to go on?" for the tale of Miriam the Wise. An inspirational anthology, deeply respectful of the holy scriptures from which it presents its tales, Ten Classic Jewish Children's Stories is enthusiastically recommended for young readers.

3 comments about How Dark the Heavens: 1400 Days in the Grip of Nazi Terror.

1. Perhaps you, like I, at times wonder of what stuff you are made. In a truly horrible situation, would you do what it right at all cost? Would you have the inner fortitude to persistently march forward, to place your life at risk for the good of others? Often, and sadly, I suspect I would not; but, my ego hopes I would. Lithuania might be an unfamiliar name to you. But, this true story invites you to join the author in his nightmarish run from the Nazis during World War II. You'll know what it is like to be suddenly wrenched from your home, country and family by the pursuit of others out to exterminate you, simply because you happen to be in the way. In his flight, the author chooses paths of moral and physical courage, in order to preserve meaning for his life. Would I have joined him? Or would I have given up? What about you? Here's a chance to "test your stuff," at least in the safe pages of a good read.



2. How Dark the Heavens is a valuable resource of historical information on the Holocaust, and an authentic recollection by a survivor. It is unique, in that this book pulls the reader into the story as would a novel.



3. the author writes in a "detached" style.I guess that is the only way he could recount these horrible experiences inposed upon him by subhumans. It is a superb diary.

5 comments about Kaddishel: A Life Reborn.

1. In Kaddishel: A Life Reborn, Bennett Golub documents the personal history of his father, Aharon Golub. Bennett's purpose in doing so was to achieve a better understanding of himself and to preserve his father's experiences for the benefit of future generations. In the process, the reader is provided a first-hand account of three major historical aspects of Jewish life in the 20th Century: traditional Jewish life in a Polish town; the horrors of the Nazis occupation and holocaust; and the formation of the state of Israel. Kaddishel: A Life Reborn reveals Aharon's inner strength that even after witnessing the death of his family members, his resolve was not to rage or hate, but rather the formation of a deep conviction that the Jewish people needed their own homeland and the power to protect themselves anywhere in the world if they were to survive anti-Semitism. Aharon's personal journey eventual led him to America where he raised his own family and has his own "Kaddishel" to live on and help him tell his story. Kaddishel is a welcome and recommended contribution to the growing library of holocaust survivor memoirs and biographies.



2. As someone who grew up with Ben Golub, and knows Aharon Golub personally, I was astonished at the story. While certainly aware of the tip of the iceberg growing up, and knowing that Aharon had an artificial leg, I was completely amazed by the events that Aharon lived through, and how deep the pain was (both literally and figuratively). I found the story especially compelling because it talked about more than the typical concentration camp stories, but shed real light on the plight in Eastern Poland, where some of my own relatives perished. It makes me think about whether they were murdered at the hands of the Germans or others. That is what makes Kaddishel special, is it makes you think without being overly negative all the time. I also found the story about the development of Israel from 1946 through 1954 extraordinary.



3. As a child growing up in the 60's I had the opportunity over the years to know friends and relatives that were holocaust survivors. While as a teenager I couldn't fully appreciate their hardships, it wasn't until Aharon's book "Kaddishel: A Life Reborn" earlier this year that I truly understood, and appreciated the stories, from someone who I've known for many years.
   
   However, as important for me, a middle aged Jew, to undertand his hardship, it's important for the teenagers of today to read and understand.
   
   It's a wonderful and important book for any library.
   
   -Bill Sobel



4. A premier storyteller, Golub draws you in with a fascinating tale of everyday life in 1930s Eastern Europe before plunging you over the abyss of German occupation during World War II. You keep telling yourself, "this is non-fiction"; these are someone's memories, not their imagination!
   
   It is difficult to believe that so many people could be so cruel, so evil, so hateful. Human spirit and compassion prevail and the story follows the author through the creation of Israel and beyond. Historical segments fill in the reader's gaps and provide important background.
   
   This is a story of today. It repeats in Rwanda, in the Caucasuses, and in Serbia. The book will impact your life's desires, your imagination, and ultimately your understanding of mankind and the world.



5. Kaddishel is a wonderful book that provides 1st person insight into both a less often told side of survival during the holocaust, and the author's experiences in settling of survivors in the budding state of Israel. Many books have been writen about the horrors of the concentration camps, but in Kaddishel, we learn of the different yet equally painful and often fatal challenges that Jews faced in attempting to survive against their enemies in the woods of Poland.
   
   The book follows Aharon Golub's life, from a youth in a happy and comfortable family, through surviving the holocaust by the barest of possible margins, to the founding of the state of Israel, and finally to marrying and establishing a family in America. This book, written by Aharon with support from his son and Kaddishel, Ben, is the amazing story of survival of a man who in most ways is similar to many Americans. It is a story that many of us, our parents or our neighbor's parents may have narrowly avoided, just by the fate of place and date of birth.
   
   Aharon Gobub's story should be read by everyone who has an interest in a compelling, 1st person narration of the most critical events that occurred in Europe and Israel in the middle part of the 20th century. Bravo to Aharon and Bennett Golub for the bravery and effort of retelling and publishing this story for the world to know!

No comments about Anne Frank: Internet Referenced (Famous Lives Gift Books).

1 comments about The Diary Of Nina Kosterina.

1. This is a good resource for researching the youth movement under Stalin. Only a select group of youth actually qualified for memebership and then were sent back to teach the other youth. Look past the teenage angst about who likes who and you read an original document by a pawn in Stalin's system.