The following true story is NOT for the faint of heart. But, as I said, it is true, and it teaches a really good lesson–one that unfortunately I had to learn the hard way. You, on the other hand, can learn from my mistake, and always ASK before you take matters into your own hands.

It was Erev Pesach. I and two of my siblings, who shall remain unnamed for obvious reasons, were working in the kitchen and schmoozing.

“You know,” I mused aloud, “anything that touches food has to be kashered before Pesach…but what about our retainers? Food touches them all the time; why don’t we have to kasher them?”

[Author’s note: All three of us wore orthodontic retainers, after having worn braces for several years. All three of us.]

“Maybe we do have to kasher them!” said my sister.

“How?” asked my brother.

The three of us, all in our early teens, discussed it, until we came up with the obvious solution: we needed to immerse the retainers in boiling water.

And so, without stopping to ask a sheilah, without even asking our parents, we set up a pot of boiling water and proceeded to kasher those retainers.

Except that when they finally emerged from their scalding bath, they didn’t really look like retainers anymore. The plastic part had become misshapen and deformed, and suffice it to say, they did not fit in our mouths anymore.

Oh, and did I mention that each set of retainers, being custom-made, cost nearly $1,000? And all three of us wore them.

I don’t think I need to tell you how very displeased our parents were with us on that day…

But we had such good intentions! I remember thinking to myself in consternation. We were only trying to do what’s right; to follow the halachah like good Torah Jews. How could we have flopped so badly?

The answer, of course, is that it’s not enough to have good intentions and to want to follow the halachah; you need to ask and find out what the correct halachah is, in each and every case! (In this case, by the way, we were told that it would be enough to simply clean the retainers very well for Pesach, although each person should ask his rav for his own psak.)

And that is why I so strongly endorse investing in a clear and easy-to-understand sefer on hilchos Pesach, such as Kitzur Halachos Pesach, by Rabbi Zev Hofstedter, before attempting to go through this holiday on your own. Like this, you never have to guess about a halachah–everything is clearly explained, so that you know exactly what halachah requires you to do, each step of the way.

As I said, I learned the hard way about the importance of asking sheilos and checking up halachos in a sefer. But you can take the easier route. With the purchase of Kitzur Halachos Pesach, you can be sure that you won’t be making the kind of mistakes I did…

Click here to purchase online.

If you’re like most moms at this time of year, you’re probably feeling frazzled and harried as you try your hardest to clean the house for Pesach, shop, cook, do laundry, and take care of all the other million things a mother must take care of, Pesach time or not. And all this, of course, while entertaining the kids and trying to keep them from undoing whatever work you did manage to get done…

Feeling the pressure, huh?

Well, we can help you out with this! If there’s something little kids love, it’s doing puzzles. And if there’s a much beloved character that kids just can’t get enough of (besides for Uncle Moishy, of course), it’s MiddosMan. Yes, that fun, outgoing, red-haired fellow who knows just when to show up and show kids how to fight their yetzer hara and have good middos.

So, what do you get when you put MiddosMan together with a children’s puzzle? A MiddosMan puzzle, of course! Or, rather, make that two MiddosMan puzzles–because that’s exactly what we have to offer you! Two absolutely adorable, good quality, 24-piece jigsaw puzzles, each depicting a brightly colored scene from one of the MiddosMan books, each guaranteeing hours of fun for your little ones…which, as you know, translates into hours of productive housework-tackling time for you…

It’s really a no-brainer. Settle your kids with these puzzles, and maybe pop one of the MiddosMan CDs into the CD player to really round out the experience–and then go tackle that freezer! (Just don’t blame us if you find yourself working to the beat of “I run, I run, as fast as I can” instead of Avadim Hayinu or Chad Gadya or something….)

Click here to purchase Middos Man Middos Puzzle-Mobile online.

Click here to purchase Middos Man Middos Puzzle-Copter online.

One of my fondest memories of visiting my grandparents’ home as a kid was burrowing in their “book room.” This was a room at the back of their house whose walls were lined with shelves upon shelves, all of them groaning under the weight of literally hundreds of sefarim and books. Immediately upon entering my grandparents’ house, I’d greet Bubby and Zaidy (gotta be mindful of derech eretz, of course) and then go check out their nosh pantry (nothing doing before that!). Next step was usually the book room. And once there, well, there was no telling when I’d emerge from its depths…

There was just so much to read in that room! Magazines, novels, comics books, mysteries… For a bookworm like me, the place was akin to something like Gan Eden.

Without question, the stack of Olomeinu’s in the corner of the room beckoned to me most enticingly, and that’s usually where my devouring began. I’d pore over the pen-pal pages, tickled pink when I’d find the names of adults that I knew. Were those adults once kids, too, who enjoyed writing to other kids about their hobbies, siblings, and favorite teachers? And the “Mommy’s Favorite Stories” column–that was a big hit, too, with its adorable stories to tease the imagination.

And always, always, there were Rabbi Zevulun Weisberger’s stories.

Even as a young kid, I loved those stories. There was something so charming and so real about the way Rabbi Weisberger wrote. The story could be about a secret Pesach Seder during the Spanish Inquisition, or it could be about a color-war contest in a boys’ overnight camp; no matter what the subject matter, you knew that a Rabbi Zevulun Weisberger story would be a great one. And now that I’ve become a grown-up (though always a kid at heart!), I find myself marveling at those stories, at the way Rabbi Weisberger understood the minds and hearts of the children he wrote for, even more.

You can understand, then, why I was so excited to learn that Israel Bookshop would be publishing an entire book of Rabbi Weisberger’s short stories. What better gift to give my own children than the stories I myself–and my parents, too, for that matter–grew up on! And when I heard that the book would also include a mini biography of this beloved author, well, that sweetened the deal even more!

Called Operation KT and Other Stories, this is a book every parent and grandparent would want to grace their bookshelf–whether or not they have a “book room” of their own in their homes. I can just see it becoming the next classic for kids…flying out of the bookstores as fast as they are restocked…becoming “required reading” for school…

Yes, dear readers, this is a book you’ll want to go out and purchase a copy of today.

Click here to purchase online.

When you hear someone mention “Olomeinu,” does a nostalgic smile appear on your face? Does your mind begin to conjure up colorful, glossy pages, exciting covers, and some of the most terrific stories and articles that you’ve ever read?

If you’ve answered yes to these questions, face it: you are an Olomeinu fan.

Don’t think you’re alone, either: to date, there are thousands upon thousands of Olomeinu fans out there. Three generations of Jewish children across North America and beyond were nurtured on the beautifully-presented information that filled the pages of Olomeinu. No matter what other reading material might have been around, Olomeinu was always so full of wholesome goodness, kids just seemed to gravitate to it. With writers like Rabbi Zevulun Weisberger, Rabbi Eliezer Gevirtz, Leah Dolinger, Leah Herskowitz, and Rena Kaplan, among many others, Olomeinu was a lot more than a magazine; over the years, it evolved into a real educational tool and became a mainstay of chinuch in the frum world.  

In Have an Olomeinu Pesach, readers of all ages will delight to find classic Olomeinu material on the topic of Pesach–stories, divrei Torah, and lots more–compiled together, along with the full text of the Haggadah, too! The result is a stunning volume that can be used at the Seder table itself and for casual reading throughout the Yom Tov.

Guaranteed to provide you and your children, and all Olomeinu fans out there in the world, with hundreds of hours of pleasure and informative Pesach reading!

Click here to purchase online.

The first thing that hits you when you look at Haggadah Shel Pesach – Living Lessons is its unique size. How many long and narrow Haggadahs are there on the market? The truth is, as any veteran Seder-goer will attest, really all Haggadahs should be this size. When everyone is finally seated, shoulder-to-shoulder, at the Seder table, elbows and knees arranged just so, being mindful not to breathe lest they knock over Great-Uncle Shaya’s cup of wine on their right or Cousin Levi’s Haggadah on their left…well, then they can really appreciate a Haggadah that’s long and narrow versus w-i-d-e!

But size is only one amazing feature of this Youth Haggadah. What really makes this Haggadah different from all other Haggadahs is its unique, blended translation-explanation of the text. Each line of the Haggadah has a corresponding line of definition that contains a loose translation in bold type, and the basic meaning of the text in regular type. In simple English, this means that your child can read what the Haggdah is saying, in simple English! How’s that for an innovative approach toward getting your child involved in the Seder?

Of course we can’t overlook the stunning, life-like illustrations that grace the pages of this Haggadah. Flip through the pages and you’ll see what we mean–this Haggadah is truly a work of art.

So for all those looking to enhance their children’s Seder experience, look no further. Haggadah Shel Pesach – Living Lessons is the only youth Haggadah you will need.

Click here to purchase online.

Unless you happen to have cloned yourself several thousand times, chances are that the people you share your city, street and even your own home with – are slightly different or perhaps even dramatically different from you.

Where does “me” stop and “other” begin? Where do we draw our invisible lines? That kind of person vs. my type? Religious vs. secular? Mainstream vs. special needs? And most importantly, can we enjoy a peaceful coexistence despite it all?

Moving Targets is a suspense novel that swings wide as it tackles these issues from several directions. At the center of the action is Motke Shechory, the kibbutz old-timer who was purportedly abandoned by his religious parents and abandoned yiddishkeit in return. After WWII ends, Motke’s parents and siblings seeks refuge in the United States, only to encounter bias and struggles as they trip over America’s ‘invisible lines.’

Motke is ready to fight to the bitter end to stop the Chareidim from invading and building a new housing development in his neck of the woods. Yet, he’s also ready to battle on behalf of his precious granddaughter Keren who has Down’s Syndrome and is rejected by the kibbutz leaders as unworthy of kibbutz membership. Why does he fight for Keren but against the anonymous black-hatters? Because Keren, whose name means sunbeam, melts his heart. She’s a part of him and his future, whereas the Chareidim are the past, “other” and the enemy.

With Alon, an evil-hearted rabble-rouser at their helm and Zohar, a mentally-unstable young man as their lackey, the kibbutznikim and the environmental activists seem to have the upper hand – until Rav Erlicher wisely sends a group of frum families led by avreich-Project Manager Zev Litwein to settle in the old, secular neighborhood of Talmei-Charish while the new frum one is being built. What could more powerful than Torah, friendship and chesed to soothe regional wounds? Unless an arsonist or a criminal with a cache of weapons gets to them first…

Guest Blogger: Sara Miriam Gross

Click here to purchase online.

Sinister plotting and international espionage…deliberate risks and close calls…enigmatic characters and innocent bystanders… Let the reader beware: Risky Game is not for the faint of heart!

Spine-tingling and filled with edge-of-the-seat suspense, this novel, which–believe it or not–is actually based on a true story, is a good replacement for a wild roller coaster ride, for all those seeking that kind of experience from the comfort of their own homes.

You’ll meet Neil Levitt and his family; you’ll sympathize with their pain; you’ll feel their horror and rage by how they were used and betrayed; and then–

Wait! You don’t want me giving away the story to you, do you? Don’t worry–I’ll stop right there. So, there you have it–Risky Game, an excellently written book, waiting for you on the shelf in your local Jewish bookstore or in your shopping cart on-line. You’re the daring, adventure-loving type, aren’t you? So what are you waiting for? Go ahead, buy a copy of the book for yourself!

Guaranteed to enthrall you until the very last page!

Click here to purchase online.

Did you ever wonder what your life would have been like had you lived in Shushan (Susa) during the days of Achashverosh’s infamous “beauty contest”? Although we’re all familiar with how that contest affected Esther, turning her into Queen Esther, most of us don’t give much thought to the numerous other Jewish girls whose lives no doubt turned upside-down when the king’s decree, that all suitable maidens in the land be brought before him, went into effect.

Enter The Decree, and your view of the times and the challenges of people living during this turbulent era will be deepened immeasurably.

But don’t think The Decree is a boring history book or something of that sort. Oh, no; that couldn’t be further from the truth! This historical novel is brimming with danger and suspense; characters both sinister and saintly; twists and turns that will leave you sitting at the edge of your seat…

For those with a passion to understand Jewish history on a richer level…for those who love to be taken on a roller coaster of a ride through an enthralling novel–The Decree is the book for you!

Click here to purchase online.

Having grown up in the Land of Liberty, I always took it for granted that my life was more or less my own. After all, the U.S.A. wasn’t the U.S.S.R., and yet, even good ole’ Uncle Sam sees fit to listen in on calls for the good of the state.

President Bush authorized warrantless wiretapping on civilian phone calls in the wake of the September 11^th attacks, and the surveillance situation has only gotten more invasive since. National security issues aside, the erosion of privacy is palpable. Even though my conversations generally center on family and work updates, it still gives typical folk like me the creeps to imagine anyone listening in on over a decade of my calls. (Did they ever get bored and hang up?)  It isn’t difficult to imagine how an entire population could be reduced to mass paranoia, especially if that population is living under Communist rule…

The Krasnikov family has major reasons to look back over their shoulders. Anya is a young Moscow mother living the good life, on the payroll of the KGB. Her husband Lev teaches at the local university and her daughter Karina is enrolled in a full-day government-run preschool. Anya enjoys imported products that only foreign currency can buy, ignores the plight of the disloyal enemies of the state being interrogated in her office’s basement, and seems to have an idyllic warped Soviet existence – until everything unravels. Anya is a Jew by birth, but Lev has taken his birthright much further. So far, that everyone he loves may soon be taken hostage because of it.

Even the people who extend their hands to help the Krasnikovs are suspect. And it’s easy to understand why: Most Soviet citizens were trained to save their own skin at all costs. Who can the Krasnikovs trust when their very survival is at stake? Read Hostage (from the front to the back – no cheating!) and you’ll know.

Guest Blogger: Sara Miriam Gross

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If you’re ever in the neighborhood, you’re invited over to view some priceless artwork. Inspired by the Great Masters and executed by a minor, our stairwell, walls and even the side of one large cabinet, proudly bear the signature (and other scribbles) of someone we love.

Interested in free home improvements? No one does them better than a kid. Unless you happen to have more than two minyanim of kids. In that case, the results are guaranteed to be even more, uhm, spectacular…

The 21 Schneider children and their parents are back home in Israel, after a whirlwind tour of England, and their cousin’s chasunah.

Home. We all know that there’s no place like it, but sometimes that’s exactly the problem. Their home is so small that it’s wall-to-wall beds — dooming homework, pet ants and dusty yarmulkes to a watery grave when the negel vasser spills. The solution is to renovate their apartment and add a new floor, but that’s easier said than done when one of your workers is a bonafide cookie and cola thief!  When the children decide to take over the job and save Abba money they seem to have everything figured out. After all, why spend good money so the workers can make a mess, when the kids are willing to make an even bigger mess for free!

Each book in this popular series is a separate adventure so your kids can join the Schneider gang now even if they weren’t with them in England.

Warning: This book is as funny as the first two. Do not give it to any literate child while anyone else in the house is sleeping. The laughter will wake them up. (My signed testimonial will be on file at the Israel Bookshop Publications office, minus the name of the son who woke everyone up.)

*Paint not included.

Guest Blogger: Sara Miriam Gross

Click here to purchase online.