New release: The Return to Yerushalayim by yours truly :)

It’s been a while since I’ve updated this blog. Thank G-d, life has been busy with good things. Among them is my newest book, which I’d like to let my readers know about. The Return to Yerushalayim: Stories of Hope and Courage From the Second Beis Hamikdash Era is a collection of short stories, in chronological order, spanning the Second Temple era. Most of these stories were previously published in Hamodia, but some are published for the first time.

The Return to Yerushalayim cover

Description

• The Jews finally have permission to return from exile. But how can Achikam leave his promising future in Bavel and head out to the unknown?
• Yonasan Hakohen dreams of performing the mitzvah of terumas hadeshen in the newly rebuilt Beis HaMikdash. Will he make it to the top of the Mizbei’ach before the other Kohanim?
• In his vital mission in besieged Jerusalem, Todros encounters many men, Jews and Romans. But are they friend or foe?

They were four centuries that have marked our people’s destiny until today – the years of the Jews’ return to Eretz Yisrael, the glory days of the Second Beis HaMikdash, the terrible times that brought its destruction. This tumultuous era comes to vivid life in The Return to Yerushalayim – a unique blend of engrossing fiction stories set against the backdrop of true historical events.

The stories, arranged in chronological order, rely heavily on Torah sources – Mishnah, Gemara, Midrashim – as well as more recent books on Jewish history written from a Torah perspective. Every story concludes with historical notes, giving fascinating information about the period.

Seeing life in the times of the Beis HaMikdash through the eyes of this book’s varied and fascinating characters will surely awaken our yearning for its rebuilding.

Now available at Artscroll.com and your local Judaica store.

Chanuka book giveaway – enter to win!

This year I teamed up with another writer, Shainy Peysin, to offer you this Chanuka book giveaway. Win a book of your choice:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway will only last for 3 days! Hurry to sign up so you can receive your gift before Chanuka is over. (Open to U.S. residents only.)

By entering this giveaway, you agree to receive occasional emails from Torah through Literature and our partners.

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Good luck! And happy Chanuka!

Yehudis

New novel set in Purim times: The Seventh Handmaiden by Judith Pransky

I’m always excited to discover historical fiction set in the times of the Tanach, so I bought this new book as soon as I saw it advertised. I read it over Shabbos – it’s a fast read and hard to put down, and I really enjoyed it. The story is mostly about a fictional character and her experiences as a slave, but we also meet Mordechai, Esther, and some other characters familiar to us from the megillah. Because of some heavy content about slavery, I’d say it’s for ages 14 and up. There is some romance, but very clean and for marriage purposes.

The Seventh Handmaiden by Judith Pransky

Hope you enjoy it! Happy Purim!

Yehudis

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New Chanuka book! The Makings of a Miracle

Chanuka stories by yours truly are now available in a paperback or kindle format!

The Makings of a Miracle: Chanuka stories by Yehudis Litvak

Can Ovadia get along with the newest recruit in the Maccabee army, who was placed under his command? How can Tirtza’s widowed mistress save a besieged city? Will Chana manage to sit in the sukkah this Sukkos, despite the Greek decree against it? Experience the Chanuka story come alive in this collection of short stories depicting different aspects of that period of Jewish history.

These stories were originally published in Hamodia’s Inyan Magazine and since then have been used in classrooms by teachers all over the world. Recommended for ages 14 and up. Learn, or teach, about Chanuka in a fun and engaging way!

Hope you enjoy these stories, and please spread the word!

Webinar replay… and special Chanuka surprise!

Missed the live webinar? No worries! Here’s the replay.

And don’t forget to check out the Chanuka books that our authors spoke about!

And now for a Chanuka surprise! My Chanuka stories, originally published in Hamodia, are now availalbe as a book, in paperback and kindle format. You can still get them before Chanuka! Enjoy!

The Makings of a Miracle: Chanuka Stories by Yehudis Litvak

Lighting up the world through books: Live webinar

Free webinar this Sunday, December 6th, 10 am PST/12 pm CST/1pm EST/8 pm Israel

Join us to meet authors of Chanuka books and learn how Chanuka books make this world a better place. Click to register:

Lighting up the world through books

The webinar will be recorded, so if you can’t make it live, register anyway to get access to the recording.

Hope to see you then!

Yehudis

New books I’m excited about

So many new releases lately! These are the books I ordered, and my family can’t wait to get them.

Eight Special Nights: A young boy and his classmates live through the miracles of Chanukah by Rabbi Yaakov Meir Strauss

We have all the previous ones in this series, but this one is especially exciting because it’s about Chanuka! I’m looking forward to reading it with my kids this year.

Rebbe Mendel 12: Case of Rashi Scroll by Nathan Stern

My whole family loves Rebbe Mendel books! Even my older kids are excited about this one. They are fun, original, and full of Torah content.

The Lion by Rabbi Meir Uri Gottesman

Rabbi Gottesman’s books are unique, with a flavor of Jewish mysticism and lots of Torah content. I’m looking forward to reading this newest one.

While we’re on the subject, my Chanuka books are still on sale at Feldheim, so if you don’t have them yet or have a favorite bookworm in your life who would appreciate them, now is a good time to buy them!

Hope you enjoy these books!

Yehudis

Chanuka book giveaway!

Enter to win!

Grand prize: Your choice of 3 books from our book selection

Second prize: Your choice of 1 book from our book selection

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Chanuka books!

Chodesh tov! It’s the month of Kislev, and my family is getting excited about Chanuka. The world could use more light right now. And everyone can always use a good book! Here are some Chanuka books you and your family can enjoy.

The Melancholy Menorah by Libi Astaire

Once again there’s trouble afoot in Regency London’s Jewish community, as they get ready for Chanukah – and more mystery.

It’s a miracle! Or is it? When the members of London’s Great Synagogue decide to replace their old and battered menorah with one that’s newer and more elegant, the old menorah refuses to leave its spot on the Eastern Wall. But is this really a sign from Heaven, or a sign that some nefarious plot is afoot? It’s up to wealthy-widower-turned-sleuth Mr. Ezra Melamed to solve the mystery—and solve it before Chanukah begins.

This ebook edition contains both the novella “The Melancholy Menorah” and the essay “A Small History of London’s Great Synagogue.”

Author bio:

Libi Astaire is the author of the award-winning Jewish Regency Mystery Series, a humorous mystery series set within Regency London’s Ashkenazic community. She is also the author of Terra Incognita, a novel about the crypto-Jews of Spain; The Banished Heart, a novel about Shakespeare, secret Jews and 1930s Berlin; The Latke in the Library & Other Mystery Stories for Chanukah, a Chanukah-themed spoof of Agatha Christie mystery novels; and 36 Candles: Chassidic Tales for Chanukah.  She lives in Jerusalem, Israel. 

The Case of the Disappearing Chanukah Candles by Ellen Roteman

There’s something funny about this case. Mrs. Rabinovitz lives all alone, so no one else could have moved the candles. And if someone stole them, wouldn’t other things be missing, too? Something funny is definitely up. But we’ll solve this mystery in no time — or at least in time for Chanukah.

Eleven-year-old Shimmy Stern has a knack for solving mysteries. But he really wants an exciting case — not lame ones, like finding lost homework and dealing with spilled pudding. When Mrs. Rabinovitz’s Chanukah candles go missing, Shimmy and his siblings — the Five Star Detectives — snap on their plastic gloves and dust for fingerprints, decode tricky messages, and grill unwilling suspects. Will they find the candle culprit before Chanukah?

Author bio:

Ellen Roteman has authored three books for children, all published by Menucha Publishing. Her “Five Star Detectives” series, for middle graders, includes The Case of the Disappearing Chanukah Candles, published in 2018, and The Case of the Unfair Science Fair, just released. Her novel for teen girls, Production!, was released in September 2020.

Previously a writer/marketing professional, most recently Director of Marketing for the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, she has received several awards for her writing and for marketing campaigns she developed.

Ellen divides her time between Pittsburgh and the West Coast of Florida with her husband Michael. Mother of two and grandmother of four, she is an avid reader, cook and volunteer.

Miracle Lights by Rabbi Moshe Moscowitz

Throughout the ages and around the world, the Jewish people have celebrated Chanukah, the Festival of Lights. By retelling the holiday’s ancient story of heroism and faith, Benny’s grandfather tries to kindle the flame of the Jewish spirit in the heart of his grandson. Will Zaidy succeed? The answer along with fun quizzers, little known Chanukah facts, recipes, games and more are waiting for you in the pages of MIRACLE LIGHTS!

Author bio:

Rabbi Moshe Moscowitz is the author of the Shazak series, which includes Shazak comic books and videos, Miracle Lights for Chanukah, Out of Egypt for Pesach and Queen of Persia for Purim. In addition, he has authored Sefarim in Hebrew, which include a 5 volume set of Tsohar LaTeyvah – Divrei Torah on the Parsha and an introduction to the works of the Rambam – המבוא לספרי הרמב”ם

His website, www.shazak.com, is subscription based for the Parsha of the week and Jewish holidays. The subscription began around a month ago, and they currently have over 300 paid subscribers. There is plenty of material available for non-subscribers.

For Miracle Lights digital book and video, visit Shazak’s Chanukah page.

In Those Days In This Time by Etka Gitel Schwartz

IN THE DAYS OF MATISYAHU THE HASMONEAN…Jewish identity totters on the brink as its faithful sons falter, beguiled by the Greek way of life. Families and friendships splinter, and the widening gulf is soon reddened by the blood of those who refuse to cross it. Then, in the little village of Mod’in, everything changes. From the Gophna forests to the battlefields of Emmaus, the widely acclaimed In Those Days, In This Time crackles with the fierce, agonized passions of those who lost all – and of those who risked all – in the triumphant celebration of light and life we know today as the Chanukah miracle. 

Includes a student’s guide with discussion questions and vocabulary exercises with each chapter!

Author bio:

Etka Gitel Schwartz is a writer for Binah magazine, and especially enjoys writing (and researching) historical fiction. She is also the author of the novels ShortchangedFull HarvestThe Grey LinesA Veiled Truthand The Happiness Cipher. Her current fascinations include the nuts and bolts of story structure, all possible answers to the word why, and the Jewish experience in the nineteenth century. 

Last, but not least: my Chanuka trilogy!

Swords and Scrolls by Yehudis Litvak

It’s not easy being a teenager in Eretz Yisrael in the days of King Antiochus. Fifteen year old Elisha is curious about the mysterious new building in Yerushalayim, while his newly married cousin, Rivka, is suspicious of the changes that threaten to disturb her peaceful existence. Rumors abound that a large army is on its way. Will Rivka have the courage to stand up for her beliefs and will Elisha win the battle raging in his soul?

Spies and Scholars by Yehudis Litvak

Who can be trusted in these turbulent times? The war between the Maccabees and the Greeks rages on. Miriam ventures into enemy territory as a spy for the Maccabees. Her cousin Elisha is caught in an internal battle. Can he trust himself? Can the faithful Jews trust each other? Can they put their own differences aside as they fight for the heart and soul of their nation?

Secret and Sacred by Yehudis Litvak

Only a miracle can save the Maccabees when King Antiochus’s massive army enters the land of Yehuda to crush the Jewish rebellion once and for all. Elisha and Pinchas prepare for the biggest battle of their lives. Meanwhile, a mysterious stranger appears in Modiin. Miriam must find out if she is friend or foe. But facing one’s own relatives turns out to be the greatest challenge of all. Sequel to Swords and Scrolls and Spies and Scholars.

Author bio:

Yehudis Litvak is an author of Jewish-themed historical fiction and a regular contributor to various Jewish publications. She especially enjoys exploring Jewish thought through the medium of fiction. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and children.

Coming soon: book giveaway, live Meet the Author session, and more! Look out for this month’s email announcements.

Oldies but goodies

Hi everyone!

Hope you’re staying healthy and warm and enjoying lots of good books. I tend to post about new releases, but lately my children and I have been reading and rereading older books and enjoying them very much. Here are some of them:

The Jewish Kingdom of Kuzar, The Rise and Fall of the Legendary Country of Converts by Rabbi Zelig Schachnowitz

This book consists of two parts: one set before and during the Khazar kingdom’s conversion to Judaism and the second one set two centuries later, in the times of Rabbi Chisdai ibn Shaprut, who exchanged correspondence with King Yosef of Khazar. Both parts are suspensful and exciting for children, yet full of Torah content.

Ibrahim the Magician (Tales from the East Series) by S. J. Revich

Exciting and suspensful, with Jewish brave and wise heroes, this story is set in the times of the caliphs. My son couldn’t wait to read chapter after chapter. There are more books in this series, and we are looking forward to reading them.

The Edge of Darkness by Avraham Tzuri

Another tale of adventure and suspense, this novel captures life in Muslim Spain in the Middle Ages. Palace intrigues and Jewish courtiers, Karaites and their attack on traditional Judaism, and both Jewish and non-Jewish evil schemers fill the pages.

Split Loyalties by Rebbetzin Sarah Feldbrand

This book is newer than the other three, but it’s been read and reread many times over in my house. Centered around the Rambam’s ban on Karaites, it’s full of Torah hashkafa, along with travel and adventure.

Hope you enjoy these book recommendations. Look out for a special Chanuka book selection next week, on Rosh Chodesh Kislev, IY”H!