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 Israel, 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 Jews 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 Jewish history 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' Yaakov Yosef Herman, a Torah 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 Jerusalem 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 Yeshiva 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 (Feldheim Publishers)** 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.