Children of the Holocaust: Book & Movie Pairing

It might sound unconventional, but here are two “Children of the Holocaust” book and movie pairings.  Just go with me on this one, it’s worth it.

50 Children: One Ordinary American Couple’s Extraordinary Rescue Mission into the Heart of Nazi Germany by Steven Pressman

• Book: This is the true story of Gil and Eleanor Kraus, an amazing couple who, with the help of a Jewish organization in America and many of their wealthy friends, went to Nazi Germany and were able to save 50 Jewish German children.  Even better, the organization the couple worked with was able to bring the majority of the children’s parents over to America, too, thus saving not only the 50 lives of these children, but many of their parents and siblings lives as well.
• Movie: Thanks to Book-alicious Mama, I know this is also an HBO Documentary.  I haven’t seen it, but Steven Pressman wrote it, directed it, and produced it, so I’m guessing it’s just as good as the book, if not better.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

• Movie: Wow, Netflix, thank you so much for adding this to your system.  The other night, my husband and I watched The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, and it was very moving.  Bruno is an 8-year-old German child who moves with his family and SS officer father to a home near a concentration camp.  He befriends Shmuel, a Jewish boy in the concentration camp.  Bruno knows nothing about what is going on in the camp, but his eyes slowly open to a piece of the truth.  Not only was this movie moving, but it also touched on so many topics: the innocence of children, the Holocaust through the eyes of the innocent, the Holocaust through the eyes of a German child, how friendship overcomes, even karmic retribution.  I have to admit, it’s a must-see for sure.
• Book: I didn’t have a chance to read the book yet (on hold at the library now!), but check out Wensend’s review of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.

What book and movie pairing are moving enough for you to recommend, whatever the genre?

Interested in getting your own copy? Check them out on Amazon (50 Children, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas) & Indiebound (The Boy in the Striped Pajamas only). I get a small percentage if you purchase from those links, and it doesn’t cost you any extra.

*Photo credit: Gooreads

When the Cypress Whispers by Yvette Manessis Corporon

Photo Credit: Goodreads

When the Cypress Whispers by Yvette Manessis Corporon is a novel situated in one of the most beautiful places on Earth: a small Greek island.  I just love Greece, and the book described some amazing scenery which really brought me back to the vacation my husband and I took a few years ago.

In When the Cypress Whispers Daphne lost the love of her life Alex in a tragic accident.  It’s been years, and she and her daughter Evie have since moved on.  Daphne will soon marry Stephen, who is wealthy and has helped Daphne create her dream of owning a successful restaurant in NYC.  When Daphne takes Evie to the Greek isle of Erikousa before the wedding (which will be on the island later), Evie and Daphne fall back in love with this amazing place.

At the same time, Daphne finds out that her grandmother, Yia-yia, is hiding a secret.  An amazing secret that makes Daphne question herself and the life she has made.

Pictures from my trip to Chania & Athens, Greece

I really really wanted more of the historical fiction part of the book.  It was such a tiny piece, and I think that with more of that historical fiction, which was on the island during WWII, the book would have been a great read.  It felt too glossed over for me, and left me wanting more, but not in the best way.

For me, the book was a little too light, too much of a predictable story.

Who is this book for?  Someone who enjoys lighter women’s fiction with a touch of unknown history thrown in.

Have you ever been to Greece?

Interested in getting your own copy? Check it out on Amazon & Indiebound. I get a small percentage if you purchase from those links, and it doesn’t cost you any extra.

The Opposite of Normal by Judy Mollen Walters

Photo Credit

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The Opposite of Normal by Judy Mollen Walters follows the Friedlander family.

Mark, the father, is a rabbi who lost his wife to cancer two years ago and relocated from NYC to a smaller city in New Jersey. He’s struggling to keep the temple enrollment going while also dealing with his children.

Aaron is Mark’s son, a seventeen year old who ends up in some trouble when he makes a few poor decisions with his religiously Christian girlfriend.

Hannah is Mark’s adopted daughter, originally from China. She’s struggling with her faith. She wasn’t born Jewish, but she was converted as a baby, and is feeling much more of a connection with the Christian faith.

I really did enjoy the storyline of The Opposite of Normal. But I also struggled with a few things.

The story felt more like a YA read, and I think this is because Judy had two young adults telling their stories in this triple narrative. Mark’s side felt like it belonged in an adult novel, but Hannah’s side felt very YA. This is a good thing because Judy was able to get inside Hannah’s head to make her voice very clear. But it did lend itself to sounding more like a YA read in my opinion.

The story wrapped up very nicely. It wasn’t a clean ending with all of the questions answered, which I liked. But it was hopeful and ended with positivity.

Interested in getting your own copy? Check it out on Amazon. I get a small percentage if you purchase from the link, and it doesn’t cost you any extra.

The Family by David Laskin

Photo Credit: Goodreads

I received this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.  

“The Family is as rich and poignant as any novel, only all true and impeccably researched.” – Erik Larsen, author of In the Garden of Beasts & Devil in the White City

The Family by David Laskin describes Laskin’s family tree, in three intermingled stories.  The stories of his family members from Europe (Russia and Poland), Israel, and America are told in chronological order, through WWI and WWII, over the course of approximately 150 years.

His family has some interesting characters!  For instance, one of his relatives, Itel, was a founder of Maidenform (you know, bras!).  Laskin also had relatives in Israel who helped form the beginning of the Jewish nation, trying to go from “city” people to farmers.  And unfortunately, the European members were victims of the Holocaust.

I enjoyed this tale, but it was research and history heavy.  There were times that I got a little lost with the historical parts, but I’ve always had a tough time keeping track chronologically of history in detail.

Do you have any interesting family members?

Interested in getting your own copy? Check it out on Amazon & Indiebound. I get a small percentage if you purchase from those links, and it doesn’t cost you any extra.

Forgiving Maximo Rothman by AJ Sidransky

Photo Credit: Berwick Court Publishing Co

I received this book from Berwick Court Publishing Company in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Seriously, I love when a book comes to me autographed AND personalized!

Forgiving Maximo Rothman by AJ Sidransky is a novel about an elderly man named Max Redmond, found murdered in his apartment.  His very religious son, Shalom and his family (wife Rachel and mentally disabled son Baruch) seem to care more about Judaism than the death of Max.

On the other hand, Detective Tolya Kurchenko delves into another aspect of the story when he finds old journals that Max had written about his experience escaping to the Dominican Republic from the threat of a Hitler’s Europe.

Max’s diaries describe his life and appreciation of the Dominican language and people, and through them the Detective learns a little more about his own life and appreciations.

Forgiving Maximo Rothman is a story about a murder, but also about family. . . mainly relationships between fathers and sons.

Which brings me to one of my favorite things about this book: the acknowledgments at the beginning.  Why did I read these acknowledgements?  I have no idea.  I normally skip over that section in every single book.  But in this one, AJ Sidransky discussed a father and son that he has never met, who helped to inspire him.  The author would see the religious man and his son, who has Downs Syndrome, and can tell from afar that this man is an outstanding father.  Sidransky says, “To this man, I say thank you. You made me a better father.”  I just loved that!  It was such a great introduction to this story!

Do you have a story of something that has made you strive to be a better person?

Interested in getting your own copy? Check it out on Amazon & Indiebound. I get a small percentage if you purchase from those links, and it doesn’t cost you any extra.

 

Is It Possible for Anyone to Convert to Judaism?

This is a sponsored post, about a topic I’ve been sharing with you lately: Judaism. 

Although it’s not a faith that actively tries to convert people, around 10,000 individuals across the globe convert to Judaism each year. Because it’s a religion that encourages and teaches piety, self-control, kindness, sagacity, optimism, joy and honesty, many people find Judaism to be quite appealing. As a result of its appeal, can anyone convert to Judaism is a fairly common question. And the answer to that question is yes, anyone is eligible to make this conversion.

One interesting fact about Judaism is it’s technically possible for someone to adopt the practices and beliefs of this religion without officially joining. That being said, going through the official conversion process is almost universally regarded as the best option for becoming part of the Jewish faith. The conversion process has three main requirements. Those requirements are circumcision, immersion and offering a specific sacrifice in the Temple. It’s also assumed that anyone who wants to take this step will fully understand and accept the duties that are prescribed by Jewish law.

Not surprisingly, the first requirement is the one that generates the most discussion. Because it may seem a bit extreme for an adult male, branches such as Reform Judaism don’t believe that following specific rules and rituals should be a requirement to become part of this faith. Additionally, in the event that a man has already been circumcised outside of Judaism, a common practice is to use the symbolic gesture of drawing a single drop of blood.

What is the Conversion Process Like?

As touched on above, there are actually different paths that one can follow to become a member of this faith. However, there are some basic steps to take that are generally considered to be the best approach for someone who’s serious about this conversion. The first step is for an individual to really start digging into Judaism. Because situations like dating someone who’s Jewish can initiate the desire for a conversion, it’s important for a person to learn enough about this faith to decide whether or not it’s the right choice for their own life.

Although anyone can learn a whole lot about Judaism by reading up on this subject, there’s a lot to explore within this faith. That’s why the next recommended step for anyone who wants to continue on the conversion path is to find a rabbi. Spending time with a rabbi will not only allow for learning more about Judaism, but also provide an opportunity to discuss in detail why that person is thinking about joining this religion. In many cases, people don’t even realize there are any issues with their own thoughts about this decision until they actually sit down and start having an open conversation.

Once a relationship with a rabbi is established, if they agree to it, the next step in the process is for the individual to begin formally learning about Judaism under the rabbi’s supervision. Not only will this course of study cover the ins and outs of the Jewish faith, but it will also include study of Hebrew. If study materials or other items need to be purchased during this stage, it’s very easy to order them online from YourHolyLandStore.com.

After a candidate has completed their course of study, they will go in front of the Bet Din. The Bet Din is a type of religious court. Its purpose is to evaluate if an individual is ready for the conversion process. While being nervous is a normal part of this process, the Bet Din doesn’t want to trick or frustrate potential new members of the faith. Instead, they simply want to evaluate where they’re at. This court usually consists of three people, one of whom is a rabbi.

When someone is deemed ready to begin the conversion process, the previously mentioned steps of circumcision, immersion and the offering are next in line to be completed. Since we already covered the circumcision step, immersion involves literally going underwater, while the offering is commonly a donation to the poor.

In most cases, the last two steps are choosing a name and then having a public ceremony. The name that’s chosen will be Hebrew. A naming ceremony is then held that includes a blessing, followed by a public ceremony that makes the official announcement of someone’s conversion.

While this process can take a year or longer, if it’s the right fit for an individual, it’s a decision that can ultimately change their life for the better.

Joan Freeman is a professional writer and the mother of three little boys. Since silence is a writer’s best friend, she usually starts her day at four in the morning so she can get one to two hours of work done before her kids wake up.

Hanukkah Symbols: A Post on The Book Wheel

Today I’m over at The Book Wheel in order to explain some recognizable Hanukkah symbols!

Stop by The Book Wheel to say hi and check out the symbols!  Do you know what all of them mean?

Happy Hanukkah!

Tonight is the first night of Hanukkah!

Happy Hanukkah to those celebrating!

1989 Hanukkah: Mom, my sister a few months old, and me, lighting the candles on the menorah – Looks like it’s the last night of Hanukkah since all the candles are lit.

If you haven’t already, check out my Hanukkah: A Top 10 List, which is subtitled Why Both the Jewish and Non-Jewish Have Reasons to Love Hanukkah.

Not only is the list awesome, but it includes another photo of me when I was young, so that’s always interesting to see.

Yeshiva Girl Stories by Perle Besserman

I received this book from Homebound Publications in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Yeshiva Girl Stories by Perle Besserman is a collection of short stories in a time-progressing order.  The stories are about Pnina, a Modern Orthodox Jewish girl who is ready to break out of the mold. . . mostly.  Pnina starts off at a religious school, called a yeshiva, and begins to break some Jewish rules under the guide of her friend Nelly and her Uncle Harry.

As she gets older, Pnina struggles between the secular (non-religious) and religious world of Orthodox Judaism.

The stories were great, and I loved how Pnina aged through the stories, but was still only a teenager at the end of the novel.  So many books go through the entire coming of age process, and I like the uncertainty of Pnina’s religious future kind of hanging in the breeze.

My favorite story was The Sackman Street Boys, where after Pnina joins a “summer gang” (think a young, Jewish West Side Story with no weapons).  After injuring one of the boys, Freddie, her father forces her to apologize.  What happens after that is touching, and real.

I also liked Wages of Sin, which is where Pnina goes with her Aunt and Uncle Harry to a cheesy hotel (think of the resort from Dirty Dancing).  She gets into some trouble, being 16 and drinking everyone under the table, and then makes a not-so-wise choice.

Pnina is relatable for those of any religion, because she’s a teenager who wants to go against the grain, as all teenagers are known to do.  And at exactly 150 pages, this novel gives you just the right amount of story.

Are you a short story fan?  Share your fav collection!

Interested in getting your own copy? Check it out on Amazon. I get a small percentage if you purchase from that link, and it doesn’t cost you any extra.

Hanukkah: A Top 10 List

This year, Hanukkah starts at sundown November 27 (less than a week away!!!!) and lasts for 8 nights, ending at sundown on December 5.  I have compiled a super brief list of some of the best things Hanukkah has to offer.

So here are my Top 10 Reasons to Love Hanukkah, no matter what religion you are!

This year was one of the most amazing holidays ever: Thanksgivukkah!  The first day of Hanukkah coincides with Thanksgiving.  Why is this so amazing?  Because it won’t happen again for over 77,000 years! 

Hanukkah is the festival of lights.  The quickie quick story of Hanukkah is that during a time of fighting, the oppressed Jews only had enough oil to light the eternal light in the Temple (which is always burning) for one night . . . but it lasted 8 nights, which was enough time to make more oil.

Thus, the holiday of Hanukkah, celebrating the miracle of the oil lasting 8 nights.

When is Hanukkah this year?  When is Hanukkah next year?  Why is Hanukkah always on different dates?  We all use the calendar that says this year is 2013, right?  That calendar is based on Christ.  So the Jews have a different calendar for their holidays, which doesn’t match up with the calendar we are used to using.

This means that Hanukkah is on the same days each year of the Jewish calendar, but those dates fluctuate when matched up to the calendar we all use.

First you have the amazing classic by Adam Sandler: The Hanukkah Song. 

Then you have the hilarious Maccabeats, singing a Hanukkah song to the tune of Dynamite.  I mean, who doesn’t want to say, “I flip my latkes in the air sometimes”???

I also love the Mariah-Carey-grammatically-incorrect-spoof of All I want for Christmas is Jews. Okay, so this technically isn’t a Hanukkah song, but it’s holiday related!

A dreidel is a four-sided top, which has Hebrew characters on it, and in essence, you use it in what’s sort of a gambling game for kids.  You put a bunch of whatever you’re gambling with in the center (usually pennies or M&Ms or Hanukkah gelt) and each kid gets some for their individual batch, too.

The dreidel’s characters each mean something different: Nothing happens, put one of your own M&Ms in the center, take half of what’s in the center,  or take all of it.  It’s a simple, fun game.

Plus, there’s a whole song all about it!  It probably was the only Hanukkah song in all of the holiday shows at school for years.

Many Jews are thankful that Hanukkah and Christmas occur during the same time period of the year, because traditionally, Jewish kiddos don’t get presents for Hanukkah.  But thanks to the fact that kids get gifts for Christmas, no one wanted to leave the Jewish kids out, so we get gifts, too!

When I was younger, I would get to open one gift per night for each of the 8 nights, and then the rest of the gifts on the last night.  Sometimes the gifts were awesome (a Brighton menorah), and other times they totally sucked (thanks Mom and Dad for socks and ANOTHER wall calendar).

Each night you light one more candle on the menorah and then you’re supposed to display it in your window.  There are 8 places for candles on the menorah, plus one extra that sits higher than the rest.  The shamash, or leader candle, lights the other candles.  We light the candles from left to right, lighting the newest night’s candle first.  The menorah is lit at sundown and burns throughout the evening.

Of course, lighting the menorah can also be a fire hazard, as we found out on year when one of my mom’s friends got too close and lit herself on fire.  Don’t worry, she was fine!

Lighting the Menorah, saying the prayers over the candles, spending time with family and friends, singing less pop-culturish Hanukkah songs . . . it’s just a fun, great, happy holiday to share with others.

Have you ever had latkes?  They’re like the best hash browns you’ve ever eaten!  And then you have Hanukkah gelt, which is chocolate shaped like a coin wrapped in gold foil. 

Plus, Hanukkah’s all about the oil, so fried foods like doughnuts are usually around, too!

Getting together with family and friends is the best part of Hanukkah, just like so many other joyous holidays!  We used to have Hanukkah parties every year, filled with presents, games, singing, and fabulous food, family, and friends.

So if you’re celebrating yourself, go find a Jewish friend who will invite you to celebrate Hanukkah with them!  Spin the dreidel, light the candles, and eat some latkes!

Do you have any Hanukkah experiences you want to share?

Happy Holidays!