Reference

Materials

For

Teachers

Teacher Recommended Classroom Literature

Elementary

The Jewel and the Journey by: Miriam Walfish (Judaica Press) A mysterious jewel, a dangerous journey... Ephraim Edelstein is about to leave home forever. Before his family sets out on the long and perilous journey to settle in the Land of , his grandfather gives him a mysterious jewel, and a strange riddle that holds its secret.The journey will take many months, with dangers lurking at every turn -- vicious Russian soldiers... thieves... pirates and more. When his family is faced with certain disaster, Ephraim finds himself in a race against time to unlock his grandfather's riddle.

Filled with exciting twists and turns, this book tells the story of a small but determined group of in the early 1800s, and how -- when all seems lost -- a quiet young boy finds his way.It offers an intriguing look at a little- known yet fascinating period in through the eyes of a young boy. The Jewel and the Journey will take you on a voyage you won't soon forget!

For ages 9-12. Middle School

A Light for Greytowers by: Eva Vogiel and Ruth Steinberg (Feldheim) From a tiny shtetl in Czarist Russia, Miriam Aronowitch is transported to the countryside of Victorian England, where she and her mother Anya begin to build a new life. But when Anya becomes critically ill, fifteen-year-old Miriam finds herself alone and at the mercy of the cruel Miss Grimshaw, matron of Greytowers Orphanage. Only the strength of her devotion to Hashem, imbued in her by her beloved mother, enables her to withstand the torments and bleakness of Greytowers and to rekindle the light of Yiddishkeit in the hearts of her young companions. Teacher’s guide available

Akiva by:Marcus Lehman (Feldheim) This breathtaking, historical novel tells the story of the life and times of the great sage, Rabbi Akiva. It is a classic literary tapestry woven with the details of life in Eretz Yisrael after the Destruction of the Second Temple. Meticulously researched and beautifully written, this book will captivate and inspire all audiences. Rav Meir (Marcus) Lehmann's magnum opus, a favorite for generations of readers, is now presented in a newly translated and revised edition for contemporary readers to enjoy. Every middle school student should read this book.

All for The Boss by: Ruchoma Shain (Feldheim) This is the inspiring story of the life and impact of R' , a pioneer in America, as told by his loving daughter, Rebbetzin Ruchama Shain. With uncompromising firmness expertly mixed with unwavering love and devotion, R’ Herman lived his life like a soldier in G-d’s Army, his every action dedicated solely as “All for The Boss”. graded for middle school

Avraham ben Avraham by:Selig Schachnowitz adapted by Yehoshua Leiman (Feldheim) Graded at seventh to tenth grade reading level Don Yosef Nasi by: Rabbi Avishai Stokhamer (Artscroll)

….This historical novel is an exciting story of intrigue and escape, of courage and cowardice, of battle and blockade, of loyalty and treachery. The escape from Portugal and the establishment of a new life under the sword of the Inquisition. Brave Dona Gracia is denounced as a Jew, and intrepid Don Yosef mobilizes the Turkish fleet to save her. The jealous courtiers of the Sultan conspire to undermine the influence - and life - of the hated Jew. The Jewish settlement in Tiberias is established thanks to Dona Gracia and Don Yosef.

Esperanza by: Sarah Feldbrand (Judaica Press)

Esperanza's father is all the family she has left in this world, but the evil tentacles of the Inquisition have snatched her away from him. The year is 1546 (5306), and twelve-year-old Esperanza finds herself suddenly lost in a world of pain and despair. But her vibrant spirit and steadfast faith propel her forward as she finds loving friends who join her in her quest to explore life and discover authentic Judaism.

Meanwhile, far away in Constantinople, Esperanza's father, Don Raphael, is tormented by grief over the uncertain fate of his only child. Follow Don Raphael through daring adventures and harrowing journeys as he travels to Aleppo and Italy, meeting many great people along the way. Trusting in Hashem, he forges a new life for himself, hoping against hope that he may one day be reunited with his beloved daughter Esperanza. A compelling historical novel set in tumultuous times, Esperanza is the riveting tale of the struggles of a father and daughter to triumph over the extreme adversity that so many Jews faced in the shadow of the Inquisition. A fascinating historical novel

Faithful Soldiers by R.L.Leader (Targum Press Distributed by:Philipp Feldheim Inc.)

I read it and it is a masterpiece.

Forever My by:Puah Shteiner (Feldheim)autobiographical History comes alive again with this powerful classic, the poignant, autobiographical story of the fall and evacuation of the Jewish Quarter, as witnessed through the eyes of a young girl. The writing is evocative; it paints pictures in the reader's mind's eye. From page one you will be transported to a different world, long ago, a world fraught with danger and immense change as the Jewish Quarter is tragically evacuated and the Arab victors plunder its homes. Includes maps.

Heir to the Throne by:Shmuel Rothstein (CIS) An historical event mentioned in sefarim, around which the author has constructed a dramatized account to bring the story to life. Hungary pre Inquisition The year is 1470. The place is the remote Kingdom of Hungary, far from the great Torah centers of Spain and France. In the royal capital of Tirnau, the Jewish community celebrates the arrival of its new Rabbi, a great Torah luminary who has been persuaded to come from Spain where the persecution of Jews intensifies day by day. His name is Rabbi Yitzchak de Cordova, the author of Sefer haminhagim. Among the gentile observers of the gala welcome prepared for the new Rabbi is young Prince Ordan, heir to the throne of Hungary. The great spiritual joy of the downtrodden Jews of Tirnau makes such a profound impression on the young crown prince that he feels his whole world has turned upside down. From that day on, he begins a long and courageous odyssey that completely changes his life and threatens severe repercussions both for himself and the Jews of Tirnau. Heir to the Throne is a classic historical novel, written in Yiddish by Shmuel Rothstein and first published in Poland in the early 1900s. In this sensitive and lyrical translation by Chana Feferkorn, the story of the Baal Haminhagim and the Crown Prince of Hungary, an almost forgotten footnote to Jewish history, comes to life in rich descriptive colors and an intensity of feeling that captivates the imagination. It is a story of friendship and devotion, of faith, courage and extraordinary heroism in a world seething with greed, treachery and hatred.

Graded at eighth-tenth grade reading level

Light From the West: The Life and Times of the Chasam Sofer by: Zelig Schachnowitz (Feldheim) biography

The Chasam Sofer, Rabbi Moshe Sofer, is one of the most distinguished personages West-European Orthodox Jewry produced in the last two centuries. As his contemporaries decreed, Moshe emes v’Toraso emes: Moshe is true and his teachings are true – a dictum allocated to very few. A Torah giant who set the stage and the standard for Torah-true Judaism in modern times, the Chasam Sofer founded and guided the famed of Pressburg, which became the forerunner of hundreds of yeshivos that sprang forth in Hungary. His influence spread far beyond Hungary, and his responsa became an accepted guide in questions regarding Judaism. We present this new, revised edition of this inspiring biographical work for contemporary readers to enjoy.

8th to 9th grade reading level

The Cohens of Tsefat by: Miriam Stark Zakon (Artscroll Mesorah Publications)

The moving and exciting story of the Cohen family, traced through exciting vignettes of historical fiction, spanning the course of 2,000 years.

The Exiles of Crocodile Island (Artscroll) by: Yosef Dershowitz ArtScroll Mesorah Publications) The story of a community of children torn from their homes by the Inquisition and their defiant struggle to keep their faith. 6.5 – 7.0 grade reading level a book whose character development is dynamic and dramatic.

The Fateful Mission by: Meir Baram ()** When the French monarchy orders the burning of Jewish holy books, Reuven makes a dangerous journey through France to deliver the Tosaphot commentaries to Rabbi Eliezer for editing.

The Kadosh of Tirnau by: Shmuel Rothstein (Feldheim) The year is 1369 - winds of change blow through the European continent and the Jewish People cower in fear. Spain is wracked with pogroms and bloodshed and their future is uncertain. In faraway Hungary, there is relative - and tentative - peace, but darkness and destruction lurk just around the corner. What has become of Prince Ordan, the heir-apparent to the Hungarian throne? How has his instantaneous attachment to the newly appointed rav of Tirnau, Hungary, contributed to the prince's sudden, strange disappearance? And who is the mysterious visitor who arrives at the palace bearing devastating news? This captivating historical novel is woven with intricate detail and vivid color. Here, you will be drawn into the story of one man's courage and faith in his struggle against evil and falsehood.

The Parnas by: Meir Baram (Feldheim) First published in Hebrew by Tvuno (HasMichui Hagvralii) 1983* This novel is based on the historical events surrounding the life of Rabbi Eliezer of Touques, editor of the Tosaphot, in thirteenth-century France. The medieval village of Touques (or, as it is often spelled, Tuch) no longer exists; but the nearby village of Toucy, which serves as the setting for our book, was a place very much like Touques where Rabbi Eliezer lived and worked. The story of Reuven's mission is fiction; all of the historical background the Crusades, the trial and burning of the , Rabbi Eliezer and the editing of the Tosaphot is factual.

The Twins by: Benzion Firer (Feldheim)

The brutalities of World War II swept through the Jewish communities of Poland, leaving a legacy of death and destruction in their wake. Yudel and Esther Glick met their death willingly, as Heaven's martyrs, al kiddush haShem, but their twin children, Chaim and Brachah, survive. In all the chaos and confusion of the war, however, they are separated. Yet even great stretches of time and space cannot sever the bonds of the spirit which unite them in their strange journeys. With heartwarming courage, and faith, they travel across a landscape of death and destruction and eventually find shelter and hope in the .

6.6 grade reading level High School

A Fire in his Soul Irving M. Bunim and His Impact on American Orthodox Jewry by: Amos Bunim ( Feldheim Publishers) Irving Bunim is a legend, one man who built American Torah Jewry in the wake of the Holocaust's devastation. This inspiring book, written by his son, tells the story of one man's uncompromising determination and his burning desire to see the Jewish People thrive and flourish. An interesting and satisfying read.

A Sun and a Shield: Through the Forests of Transylvania, The Paneth Family of Dej Escapes to Freedom by: Devora Gliksman (Feldheim) 371 pages IN THE EARLY 1920s, Dej was one of the largest centers of Hungarian Chassidus, and the Paneth name was well- known among Hungarian Jewry. But by 1939, young Brandele Paneth had already witnessed what was in store for her Hungarian brethren and the rest of European Jewry. While visiting relatives in Poland, she became entrapped in the Nazi net that would soon be cast all across the continent, and upon her return, she repeatedly urged others to leave while they were still able. Ultimately, however, their destiny was not in her hands. This meticulously researched and conscientiously executed work chronicles the fate of the Paneth family as they miraculously escape across the Hungarian border into the relative safety of Romania and from there to a new life. The skillfully drawn backdrop that affords an insider's view of life in Transylvania before the onslaught of Nazism, enables the reader to become acquainted not only with the members of this family but with an entire way of life that is irreclaimable. It is for this way of life that Jews everywhere yearn, as we yearn for the individuals who are forever lost to us. It is for the survival and revival of this level of Yir'as Shamayim of faith and love for Hashem that the Paneth family and others like them fought with every ounce of their physical beings. It is for the realization of their tefillos that the Ribbono Shel Olam provided them with A Sun and a Shield. This majestic portrait of Rabbi Yosef Paneth, the Ileander Rav, and his family - their trials, their terror, and their ultimate triumph - is filled with adventure, drama, and poignancy. In a few short years, the Rav, his Rebbetzin, and their children experienced upheaval, betrayal, many narrow escapes, and bitter disappointments. Theirs is an inspiring story that demonstrates the ability of a pure neshamah to overcome the forces of evil that threaten from without, a story of emunah that proves again and again that kavei Hashem yachalifu ko'ach - those who put their faith in the Almighty shall experience renewed vigor.

A Tale of Two Worlds by: Devora Gliksman (Artscroll/Mesorah)

This is a panorama of a book, the story of worlds within worlds. It combines many slices of fascinating human interest and the history of Torah worlds……... This is a book to treasure, savor, and pick up again and again. It's an unforgettable story with a soul, a history that makes us understand and appreciate the post-War Torah world that preserves the legacy of Mir and Cracow.

Carry Me in Your Heart: The Life and Legacy of Sarah Schenirer, Founder and Visionary of the Movement by: Pearl Benisch ( Feldheim Publishers) Biography

This is the fascinating story of Sarah Schenirer, legendary founder of the Bais Yaakov movement, as told through the eyes of one of her students. In this beautifully written account, the author paints a portrait of Frau Schenirer-- inspiring, poignant, and breathtaking.

Chains By: Leah Gebber (Israel Book Shop)

Judea is in flames; Romans ravage the villages and besiege Jerusalem. Thousands of captives arrive in Rome, fodder for the slave market.

Shulamit chafes under the chains of captivity. Mariam chokes in the chains of her role as Sadducee princess. Chanan throws off the chains of his past life and embraces Rome. Yet the links that bind them to the past also bind them to each other. …..Chains is the groundbreaking historical novel that brings to life the lives and struggles of the Jews who lived through the Churban - and found themselves taken as slaves to the teeming metropolis of Ancient Rome. The city to which all roads lead is the absolute antithesis of the holy city of Jerusalem, and it is against this backdrop that Shulamit, Mariam, and the others wage their painful battles, both personal and national. Filled with memorable characters, impossible challenges, and an unforgettable message,Chains is the story of exile and faith, history and destiny - and of the steady flame of hope that burns in the heart of every Jew.

Dual Discovery by:Zecharya Hoffman ( Mizrach Publishing) This gripping story unfolds in ancient Egypt, where a cruel abduction uproots an infant from his family and people. As he matures, the boy's peaceful existence gets disrupted and he embarks on a journey of self-discovery. The riveting twists and turns of his personal quest coincide with one of the most important discoveries of humankind. The entire world is awestruck by the developing drama in Egypt, through which the truth about the Creator of the world and the destiny of our nation are revealed. Dual Discovery will take you back in time to experience the marvelous events that took place over three millennia ago. The captivation plot of the fictional story is masterfully interwoven with the historical happenings, bringing the ancient story vividly to life. You will feel along with the characters' struggles and be inspired by their hope and faith as you journey with them through the pages of our early history. This must-read book will help you visualize the slavery in Egypt and the miraculous redemption, giving you a new perception of this well-known saga. At the same time, you will glean some new insights about our present galus and the imminent Final Redemption.

Escape from India by: Avigail Myzlik Published 2009 by Myzlik Publishing Incarcerated in a Bombay jail built for 800, Ronen is crammed in with 3500 prisoners, many waiting years just to stand trial, without knowing when their ordeal will end. The terrible overcrowding, the constant hunger, and the presence of thousands of hardened criminals, in a prison lacking the most basic hygienic standards and where filth and disease are rampant, caused most prisoners to lose their human dignity. While in this living hell, Ronen is further tortured by loneliness and longing for his wife, daughters, and loving family. But Ronen's imprisonment serves as the impetus to rise above the prison walls and finally escape from his own evil inclination. With his powerful wellspring of faith, Ronen dedicates every waking hour to learning Torah and immersing himself in prayer; he repents from the depths of his heart, and attains freedom, even behind bars. Trusting only in God to help him, Ronen miraculously succeeds in escaping, seemingly accompanied by angels, all the way back to Tel Aviv. The book is translated from the original Hebrew, in Ronen's own straightforward touching style. You will journey through Ronen's fascinating and unique inner struggle. It is a journey that will take you from despair to hope; from a broken heart and body, to a spiritual and physical triumph. It is a journey that will never leave you! Very well written!

A Stranger to My Brothers by:Henye Meyer He's maladjusted. He has an attitude. And once, the village priest tells him, he was a Jew. When a survivor of the First Crusade persuades Martin to explore his heritage, Martin has no idea what he's in for. It's nothing like what he imagined, and it's hard work. And across the Golden Horn lies Constantinople, the most exciting city in the world. Why should Martin stick it out in the Jewish community? Through the choices he makes, Martin begins to understand relationships and responsibility, people and societies, and develops a commitment to a Jewish life. This is a crossover book which will be enjoyed, on different levels, by readers from 12 to adult. Previously published as Fall of the Sun God. Now with glossary added.

The characters are complex and realistic and colorful. Despite the serious message of the story, this book is FUNNY! The dialogue actually had me laughing out loud a number of times,right up to its satisfying ending.

Go, My Son by: Chaim Shapiro (Feldheim) From frozen tundras to veritable battlefields, a young yeshivah student escapes certain death in this spine-tingling yet eminently upbeat story of survival, faith, and ingenuity. This is the true story of Chaim Shapiro's adventure- filled odyssey through both war-torn Europe and Asiatic Russia. The author describes his many dramatic, and sometimes humorous encounters, as he flees from the Nazis, in a vivid and engrossing personal memoir.

Gutta: Memories of a Vanished World by: Gutta Sternbuch, David Kranzler (Feldheim) A Bais Yaakov Teacher's Poignant Account of the War Years, with an Historical Overview. Although much has been written about the war years, Gutta Sternbuch's exceptional account stands out in its vibrancy and honesty. Through her memoir we learn about Chasidic life in pre-war Poland; the poverty and fear together with the spiritual heroism in the Warsaw ghetto; the ray of light that was the Bais Yaakov movement; the successful rescue of Warsaw Jews by Jews in Switzerland; the internment camp in Vittel; and the rebuilding of lives after the war. Includes two scholarly essays by Dr. David Kranzler: A Historical Overview of Poland Between the Wars, and Secular Jewish Ideologies.

Family Aguilar by: Marcus Lehmann (Feldheim) One of the most fascinating chapters in Jewish history is the chronicle of the Conversos in Spain and Portugal. Outwardly, they were Christians; secretly, they were Jews, with a singular devotion to the faith of their fathers. If caught and exposed, they faced the terrors of the Inquisition, yet they remained steadfast in their faith, with a courage beyond belief. In this historical novel, Rabbi Marcus Lehmann paints a panoramic portrait of eighteenth century Spanish Jewry under the Inquisition, as well as one family’s drama and adventure, sorrow and lasting triumph. With a wealth of local color and amazing historical detail, the adapted version of The Family Aguilar has been a favorite for generations. This new translation, from the original German, is another jewel in Feldheim Publishers’ Living History series, sure to have pride of place on any Jewish bookshelf.

Into the Fire by: Miriam Walfish (Judaica Press) Rome, 1943.High on a rooftop in the Jewish ghetto, under the light of a star-filled sky, a father speaks to his son and daughter. He speaks to them of Jewish destiny, of Hashem's promise to Avraham Avinu to make his children like the stars of the heavens. He gives them brief instructions, and then ... he vanishes. This breathtaking novel -- set against the backdrop of the little-known story of Rome's Jews during the Second World War -- will surprise and uplift you. It is a story of despair and hope, a saga of transformation and, ultimately, rebirth.

Nezira The Story of Queen Helene of Adiabene By:Tzirel Greenberg (Israel Book Shop) She left her family, her people, her country. And she never looked back. Nezirah: The Story of Queen Helene of Adiabene is an exquisite portrayal of the little known personality of Queen Helene, a righteous convert who left the pagan country in which she had reigned, to settle in the Holy Land during the tumultuous days before the destruction of the second Beis Hamikdash.The compelling, true story of Queen Helene's life is skillfully woven together with vivid descriptions of life in Eretz Yisrael under Roman rule, creating a historical masterpiece that will leave its readers enlightened, inspired, and uplifted.

Nor the Moon by Night by:Devora Gliksman (Feldheim) Devora Gliksman's superb work chronicles the kidushei Hashem performed by the Bobover chassidim and their selfless Admor, ZTZ"L, and his father the previous Admor HY"D. The sacrifices of these noble Yiden helped to secure a strong Bobover kehilla after the war in Eretz Yisroel, Brooklyn, Monsey, Montreal, London, and Antwerp - KA"H - today thriving with thousands of talmidim in the Bobover mosdos. Currently out of print Out of The Depths by:Rabbi Lau (Sterling; Tra edition) Israel Meir Lau, one of the youngest survivors of Buchenwald, was just eight years old when the camp was liberated in 1945. Descended from a 1,000-year unbroken chain of rabbis, he grew up to become Chief Rabbi of Israel--and like many of the great rabbis, Lau is a master storyteller. Out of the Depths is his harrowing, miraculous, and inspiring account of life in one of the Nazis' deadliest concentration camps, and how he managed to survive against all possible odds. Lau, who lost most of his family in the Holocaust, also chronicles his life after the war, including his emigration to Mandate Palestine during a period that coincides with the development of the State of Israel. The story continues up through today, with that once-lost boy of eight now a brilliant, charismatic, and world-revered figure who has visited with Popes John Paul and Benedict; the Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela, and countless global leaders including Ronald Reagan, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and Tony Blair. Mind Blowing, sophisticated Rabbi Joselman of Rosheim by:Marcus Lehman (Honigson – London) An amazing book on the life of Rabbi Joselman of Rosheim. Rabbi Joselman lived in the 15th-16th century and defended German and Polish Jews from many cases of persecution. 11th grade reading level Serina by:Ruti Tanenwald (Feldheim) She was the carefree eldest daughter of a wealthy Jewish family, spoiled by her parents and Johanna, her Polish maid. But no one could have dreamed that one fateful Friday night, Johanna would force Serina into the hands of Felician nuns, bent on destroying her past and recreating her as a devout Catholic. This horrific, yet spellbinding story brims with raw emotion and real tragedy. Serina's plight was, indeed, the plight of many Jewish girls at the turn of the 20th century. The brutality of the nuns, the helplessness of Serina's parents, and the Divine Providence that guided her life through every page of this chilling novel make this an important, gripping, and shocking read.

The Count of Coucy and Portrait of Two Families by: Marcus Lehman (Feldheim) The writing of Marcus Lehmann is truly unsurpassed; with his pen this 19th-century rav of Mainz, Germany, fought assimilation through his inspiring historical novels. In the Count of Coucy, pirates and slaves, heroism and treachery come to life, straight through to its swashbuckling, heart-stopping ending. Woven through the wonderful writing are timeless Torah lessons and paradigms of strong faith in the face of painful challenges. Portrait of Two Families is the story of a family caught up in the Reform movement whose path crosses with a family deeply rooted in Torah tradition, for a complex, fascinating plot of downfall and triumph. Carefully researched and magnificently presented, this is a work of unparalleled literary delight!

The Jewish Kingdom of Kuzar The Rise and Fall of the Legendary Country of Converts by: Rabbi Zelig Shachnowitz (Feldheim) Over one thousand years ago, did the population of an entire pagan country, nestled between the shores of the Black and Caspian Seas and secluded in the forests of the Crimea, really convert to Judaism? Or is it just the stuff of legend? This sweeping historical novel tells the story of the Kuzars, with startlingly authentic detail and high quality writing that absorbs the reader completely. The fascinating plot and colorful characters bring enlightenment and inspiration even as they captivate the imagination. This book was originally written in German by Rabbi Zelig Shachnowitz, the famed German-Jewish author and editor who used his pen to fight against the Haskalah movement of his times. A timeless treasure, it has now been translated from the Hebrew translation, making it accessible to all who yearn to plunge into its richness and unique tapestry.

The Stars Will Guide You by: Miriam Walfish (Judaica Press) Rome, 1943. High on a rooftop in the Jewish ghetto, under the light of a star-filled sky, a father speaks to his son and daughter. He speaks to them of Jewish destiny, of Hashem's promise to Avraham Avinu to make his children like the stars of the heavens. He gives them brief instructions, and then ... he vanishes. This breathtaking novel -- set against the backdrop of the little-known story of Rome's Jews during the Second World War -- will surprise and uplift you. It is a story of despair and hope, a saga of transformation and, ultimately, rebirth.

The Royal Resident a historical tale by: Marcus Lehmann (Feldheim) . 9.0 grade reading level

The Road Home Aviva Cytryn (Menucha Publishers) With war imminent, Polish-born Rachel is sent by herself on a transport to England. The Road Home is a poignant and beautifully written novel of choices and challenges, of a girl coming of age under the clouds of war - with the promise of a wonderful new life in store for her.

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