Month: November 2020

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 Shortchanged, Full Harvest, The Grey Lines, A Veiled Truth, and 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. 

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.