Israel Book Shop presents Chapter 33 of a new online serial novel, Dance of the Puppet, by Esther Rapaport. Check back for a new chapter every week. Click here for previous chapters. 

Copyright © Israel Bookshop Publications. 

Elchanan stood behind the office door, patting his pocket. The thick envelope was there, of course. He wanted to see Menashe or Mati count the money and enter the figures into the computer. He had to find a way to see them do it, and then he would be able to see if their mistakes were part of their modus operandi.

If he wanted to go out on his own one day, he had to learn how to run a business. He didn’t think there was anything deceptive about recording higher prices than what they had actually received, because it just meant they were paying higher income tax. Was there another source of profit here that he didn’t know about? He was definitely curious, but at this point, he did not want to ask directly. First he would see what he could find out in a more roundabout fashion.

“It’s not like that, I’m telling you.”

“And I’m telling you it is, Bar-On.”

“Are you nuts? Here are your very nice receipts, clear and smooth. I’m printing them now. Read them and tell me if a single comma there is out of place.”

Elchanan’s hand froze midway to the knob. A heated exchange was taking place inside, and the voices were loud enough to be heard through the closed door. Was someone accusing Mati Bar-On of being dishonest? That someone also sounded familiar to him from somewhere, but it wasn’t Menashe. Keep Reading…

Israel Book Shop presents Chapter 32 of a new online serial novel, Dance of the Puppet, by Esther Rapaport. Check back for a new chapter every week. Click here for previous chapters. 

Copyright © Israel Bookshop Publications. 

“Sounds nice,” Yael said reservedly the next day, “but from a chinuch perspective, I’m not so sure about it. I mean, this group of girls really deserves a dressing down, and instead, you invite them over for an evening of fun?”

“It wasn’t all fun,” Yaffa noted. “There were awkward silences and some unpleasant moments.”

“I don’t know, but I’m not sure it was in place,” her deputy insisted. “Such a thing can really cause jealousy. What will you tell the other girls on Ruach and Afar? That because they didn’t kick up a fuss, they weren’t invited to you? They don’t deserve compensation?”

Yaffa mulled this over. “If so,” she said, “then ask about the other two teams; their chagigah was also ruined. Don’t they deserve compensation, too?”

“Yes, and so?”

“I guess you’re right,” Yaffa said wearily. “I didn’t think of it.”

But when, during the first recess of the day, the teachers of those classes—every single one of them—reported that the atmosphere had significantly improved, Yael didn’t say a word. She just wrinkled her nose quietly. The recess itself was also much quieter in the corridors, and it seemed as though peace had finally been restored to the school, after weeks of tension and fighting.

During the twelve o’clock break, two girls entered Yaffa’s office. She recognized them as two of the girls who’d been at her home the night before; one was the accordion player, and one was the girl who’d lugged down the huge garbage bag at the end of the evening.

“Mrs. Levinsky,” they said, smiling. “We’re from Team Ruach, and no one saw our performance. Can we perform it one day for the other teams? And then we’ll find out who the winner is.”

“I don’t think we’re going to do that,” Yaffa said, studying their faces. “After all, you don’t deserve a prize.” Keep Reading…

Israel Book Shop presents Chapter 31 of a new online serial novel, Dance of the Puppet, by Esther Rapaport. Check back for a new chapter every week. Click here for previous chapters. 

Copyright © Israel Bookshop Publications. 

She was resting much less here than in the hospital, but despite her lethargy, Adina Kotzker was satisfied. She was aware of her condition, and did not expect any major breakthroughs in just three days. Nevertheless, the feeling that she was working and progressing—even if progress meant just the slightest movement of two fingers—gave her a pleasant feeling.

But with all this, she was tired. “That’s it,” she told her husband, daughter, and son on Friday morning. “Now you’re all going home to Yerushalayim, and you’re not coming back here until Sunday. There are telephones, and you’ll be able to hear that I’m alive and well from home, too. Please don’t stay another minute.”

“Really, Ima,” Shaul protested. “You’re going to stay here alone?”

“At least let Abba stay,” Malka pleaded.

“And who will take care of him? Where will he sleep? Eat?”

“Miriam Korman lives right here in the area and has already told me that her home is open for whomever we need. She’d be very happy to host Abba.”

“Out of the question,” Adina said decisively. Her speech had improved over the past few days, even though the speech therapist had been there for only one session since Adina had arrived. “You know how hard it is for Abba to fall asleep in a strange house. He can hardly sleep in your houses.”

Shaul and Malka exchanged looks that bordered on insulted, but their mother didn’t notice. “Abba will come on Motza’ei Shabbos, and for the next week you two can come to visit whenever it’s convenient for you. You were wonderful these past three days, but now it’s time to get back to normal life, please.” Keep Reading…

Israel Book Shop presents Chapter 30 of a new online serial novel, Dance of the Puppet, by Esther Rapaport. Check back for a new chapter every week. Click here for previous chapters. 

Copyright © Israel Bookshop Publications. 

The phone rang in Rabbi Weinstock’s office.

“Rabbi Weinstock?”

“Oh, hello, Reb Aryeh,” Reb Yeshayahu said, recognizing the caller’s voice. “How are you?”

“Baruch Hashem, we’re thankful for every day. How are things at the yeshivah?”

“Baruch Hashem, the boys are learning very well. If you happen to be in the area, and you’d like to drop in to see the new air conditioners in the dining room, I would be very pleased.”

“Well, until then, I’ll suffice with regards from afar,” the philanthropist from Haifa said with a chuckle. “And I don’t have to mention the Yizkor board, right?”

“It’s already hanging up since the beginning of the Elul zman,” Reb Yeshayahu replied. “So, Reb Aryeh, how are you feeling? How’s the diabetes?”

“Up and down,” the caller replied. “Actually, I’m calling now about my sister’s granddaughter, from Yerushalayim. You have connections with Shaarei…um, Shaarei something High School—what’s the name again?”

“Shaarei Binah?”

“Yes, that’s it. How could I have forgotten it? You have connections there, right? Through the board or something?”

“Yes.”

“Good. So it’s like this. My sister’s granddaughter’s name is Tzipora Biderman, and she’s a good girl. She’s not so strong scholastically, but aside from that, she’s a top girl, yes?”

“I understand,” the rosh yeshivah of Shaarei Aharon said cautiously. Keep Reading…

Israel Book Shop presents Chapter 29 of a new online serial novel, Dance of the Puppet, by Esther Rapaport. Check back for a new chapter every week. Click here for previous chapters. 

Copyright © Israel Bookshop Publications. 

Rivi, from Team Mayim, was holding court backstage. “It’s a bit annoying to be the first to perform,” she declared. “After the three other teams finish, everyone will forget what we did.”

“No one will forget,” Morah Yael Braun said, suddenly appearing out of nowhere. “Don’t worry, Rivi, okay? We’re keeping track. Hurry up, girls, please. We want to start the program.”

Malka opened the chagigah by delivering a brachah from her mother to her beloved students. Yael was to close the program after the winning group would be announced. Yaffa, as expected, refused to even come up to the stage.

“I complained to Mrs. Levinsky this morning about us being drawn to go first,” Zehava whispered as she pinned the waistband of her costume skirt with a large safety pin. “She listened to me very seriously and promised to try not to forget anything. Can I tell you I think that’s going to help much?”

“Well, at least she’s fair,” Rivi grumbled, checking her gold vest in the mirror. “And there really is nothing to do about it. A goral is a goral.”

Shira, from 10a, walked into the backstage area just then. “Mayim!” she shouted angrily. “I want you at the door to the stage in one minute—is that clear? The audience is losing patience.”

“The audience will be fine,” Rivi muttered with two bobby pins stuck between her lips. “We’ll be there in a minute. No pressure, Shira, dear, okay? Your dance will start as soon as we’re all ready. Take it easy.” Keep Reading…

Israel Book Shop presents Chapter 28 of a new online serial novel, Dance of the Puppet, by Esther Rapaport. Check back for a new chapter every week. Click here for previous chapters. 

Copyright © Israel Bookshop Publications. 

After the shiur klali, Rabbi Weinstock discussed the material with an animated group of shiur gimmel bachurim who would not let him go. Dovi Brim was not one of them, but at least during the shiur he had sat in the first row, and given the impression of being focused and alert. The rosh yeshivah wondered what Mrs. Levinsky had said to him that had already had such a positive effect. He hadn’t been wrong about her. The high school had really gained from the situation, despite the unfortunate circumstances.

There was a phone call waiting for him in the office. “Levinsky,” the secretary said, raising his eyes.

“Levinsky?” Reb Yeshayahu took the phone. “Hello?”

“Shalom aleichem,” a male voice responded. “This is Elchanan Levinsky.”

Reb Yeshayahu was confused for a second, but then understood. “Aleichem shalom,” he said. “First of all, I have to say that Brim came to shiur today with renewed energy. It looks like your wife knew just what to say to him.”

Elchanan ignored the fact that his wife had abandoned the scene and left him at the forefront. “I really hope we succeeded,” he said politely. “I wanted to discuss the matter of Dovi’s music with you.”

“Music?” Keep Reading…

Israel Book Shop presents Chapter 27 of a new online serial novel, Dance of the Puppet, by Esther Rapaport. Check back for a new chapter every week. Click here for previous chapters. 

Copyright © Israel Bookshop Publications. 

Yaffa was late to school the next morning. Chaya had been urging her to go to the National Insurance Office for ages, and she’d finally gone to take care of it. It was pleasant to walk in the winter sun and remember the days when she’d been able to stroll for as long as she pleased. Strange; she hadn’t even appreciated it at the time.

She arrived at school at 11:05, quickly greeted the secretaries, and hurried into the principal’s office to call Mr. Shazar. She had a feeling he would deny his promise from the day before, but surprisingly, she was mistaken. A few long moments passed after the secretary’s “please wait and I’ll ask him,” and suddenly, Shazar’s hoarse voice was on the line.

“Yes, Mrs. Levinsky, good morning.”

“Good morning. I’m calling regarding those history tests for the twelfth grade at Shaarei Binah.”

He sighed deeply, and she could hear some noises through the line. Yaffa wondered if he was looking up some information on the computer, rifling through paperwork, or just eating something.

“I see…” he said finally. “Your school did not receive a formal announcement of the changes. Well, that is a different story entirely.” Keep Reading…

Israel Book Shop presents Chapter 26 of a new online serial novel, Dance of the Puppet, by Esther Rapaport. Check back for a new chapter every week. Click here for previous chapters. 

Copyright © Israel Bookshop Publications. 

On the day Sari Schreibman began working in the office, a letter arrived that threw Yael into a frenzy. The new secretary placed it on the principal’s desk, and Yael, who saw it there, asked for permission to open it.

“What do they want from us now?” she wondered aloud. “Can these be the results of the state tests already? I doubt it. It should be a much bigger envelope.”

Yaffa looked at the official envelope with the unfamiliar letterhead and shrugged. Yael pulled out a single sheet of paper and perused it closely.

“I don’t believe it!” she cried in a tone that even brought Chana running from the outer office. “Are they normal? Tell me, what was wrong? Chana!” she called. “Please get Naomi Bergsas, the history coordinator, this minute.”

Chana quickly checked the class schedules and then replied, “She’s in class.”

“So pull her out! Give this year’s class a retest?! They’ve gone too far!”

The issue must have been very urgent, because Chana suddenly sprang into action. Within a few seconds, Mrs. Bergsas was standing in the office; only now did Yaffa see who she was.

The teacher’s jaw dropped when she read the letter that Yael handed her. “That is so, so unfair,” she whispered in shock. “Total chutzpah, what they are doing there. They told us it would be fine!” Keep Reading…

Israel Book Shop presents Chapter 25 of a new online serial novel, Dance of the Puppet, by Esther Rapaport. Check back for a new chapter every week. Click here for previous chapters. 

Copyright © Israel Bookshop Publications. 

“Malky?”

Malka sat up, alert. Ima was calling her; of that there was no doubt.

“Yes, Ima,” she said brightly, as though it was five o’clock in the afternoon and not in middle of the night. Ima had spoken several times yesterday, just a little and very weakly, but she was talking, baruch Hashem. Real words. “How do you feel?”

“Baruch Hashem, okay.” Every word rolled heavily off Adina Kotzker’s tongue. “And how…are you?”

“When I hear you speaking, I’m wonderful. Should I straighten your pillow, Ima?”

Her mother waved her hand. “No…” she said with difficulty. “How are the children? You…are here a lot.”

“They’re managing. Mimi helps Michoel at home, and in the end they’re going to discover that they manage much better without me.”

“Mimi’s a good girl,” Adina said slowly. “And she’ll continue to be good, if…you give her the right guidance. How…is school, Malky?”

“Baruch Hashem.” Malka swallowed. “It looks like Yaffa Levinsky is doing fine, and things are running pretty smoothly.”

“Yes, she’s…” Adina paused, groping for a word. “Wonderful,” she finally completed her sentence. “And you and Yael?”

A flush rose quickly up Malka’s neck and settled in her cheeks. “Okay. Normal. Yael does more of the hands-on work than I do, but recently I’ve also started to get back into things.”

“What time is it…Malky?”

Malka glanced at her watch. “Four in the morning,” she replied. “Four-oh-six, to be exact.”

“So sleep, sleep,” Adina said, closing her eyes again. “You need energy.”

*** Keep Reading…

Israel Book Shop presents Chapter 24 of a new online serial novel, Dance of the Puppet, by Esther Rapaport. Check back for a new chapter every week. Click here for previous chapters. 

Copyright © Israel Bookshop Publications. 

“I’m sorry, Dvir,” Elchanan said. “I have to leave a few minutes early today.”

The employer frowned. “Again?” he asked tersely.

“Again.”

“Nu, what should I tell you? Go. Is everyone okay?”

“Baruch Hashem.” Except for the restlessness that had suddenly overtaken him and was giving him no rest. His sister Ruth was right. He could be a lot more than a bookstore employee. And if he could, then he had to try.

The interview, the sixth one since he’d begun looking for a new job two weeks earlier, was on the other side of Yerushalayim. Elchanan, who was using the buses to get around the city, had decided that the time had come for him to get a car. Why had his parents sent him for driving lessons? So he could observe the bus driver traveling so slowly and struggling to traverse the congested streets?

This time, he was interviewed by three people. The one on the right had glasses and a balding pate, and he seemed to be the boss; to his left were two others who stared Elchanan up and down but didn’t say a word.

“Resume, please.”

“What’s your family status?”

“Where have you worked in the last year?”

“What was your salary?”

“Do you know how to drive?”

“What is the maximum number of hours you are able to work?”

Elchanan answered the questions calmly, surveying the sleek, elegant office. The interviewers looked at each other.

“Look,” the boss said. “Our company has garnered a very reliable reputation as an antiques dealer in the religious and Chareidi sectors, and we’re trying to break in even more. In order to work here, you’ll need to develop a range of abilities and invest a lot of effort and time. Do you think that is possible for you?”

“Certainly,” Elchanan said confidently.

The interviewers exchanged looks again, and after a moment, the man on the right said, “Thank you. We will examine your candidacy, and if we find you suitable, you’ll receive notice in the next few days.”

“I see,” Elchanan said, suppressing his disappointment. “Thank you,” he added as he left. It looked like he was destined to remain at the bookstore for the time being. In that case, he’d better stop with the frequent absences and early departures that were making Dvir wonder; his normally congenial employer was liable to lose his patience, and then Elchanan would be left out in the cold. It was not a risk worth taking. Keep Reading…