History

This is the way that it happens. First, there is no more governess to fasten Maniusia's woolen coat. No more Bronia the cook frying goose livers and cut onion. Then, there is no more apartment with indoor plumbing gurgling under the floor. No food to eat. No warm, crusty bread. No frothy white milk for the baby. Eventually, there is nothing at all.

But in the heart of Auschwitz, when all that is left is the heart still beating inside of her, Maniusia's father begs her to make him a promise.

"Promise me, Maniusia!"

"But how?"

"Promise me."

I look at Tata. At his face waiting for promises, because he has nothing else to wait for.

I think of these words, the most important ones he has ever said. I pull out my own three words. "I - promise - you."

Maniusia's promise binds her to her faith, her spirit, and ultimately, her life.

I Promise You is the painful yet transcendent, true story of Maniusia (Miriam) Adler, as told to her granddaughter, acclaimed author Yael Mermelstein. Through Maniusia's story, you will experience what it truly means to win the war. Learn More

Judea is in flames; Romans ravage the villages and beseige 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 Saducee 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.

First serialized, to popular acclaim, in the Family First magazine,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. Learn More

The orphan, raised by his grandmother, caught in an unusual custody battle that only a bet din can resolve.

The prosperous businessman building up a family and a community on the quiet streets of Bensonhurst, lending money to others so that they can open a business that will compete with his own.

The generous philanthropist cleaning up the synagogue he helped to build.

The indomitable optimist who pulled himself out of poverty, but who always knew where his success really came from.

This is Nouri's story

He was a man of many names: Ezra, Nouri (which, appropriately, means "my light"), Isidore, Izzy. He was a larger-than-life personality, helping to create a larger-than-life community, and it needs a larger-than-life book to tell his story. This is Nouri's book.

Nouri: The Story of Isidore Dayan, and the growth of a vibrant community in America focuses on one of the most intriguing personalities of the modern Jewish world. The tale spans almost a century, includes two World Wars, and features a panoramic background ranging from Baghdad and Damascus to Brooklyn, from Czechoslovakia to Baltimore to tiny Vineland, New Jersey.

In the pages of this biography-that-reads-like-a-novel, you will meet famed gedolim: Hacham Murad, Nouri's mentor and eventually his father-in-law; Rav Avraham Kalmanowitz, the Mirrer Rosh Yeshiva, whose efforts and care for Klal Yisrael included the Sephardim of America; and Rav Yitzchok Hutner, who, together with Nouri's daughter and son-in-law, underwent a harrowing terrorist plane hijacking.

You will meet men who create businesses built on generosity and adherence to Jewish values; Sephardic grandmothers filled with the unyielding strength of simple devotion; and a new generation of young Sephardim determined to reach - and teach - higher levels of Torah learning. And, of course, you will meet Nouri, the quiet, unassuming, and friendly man who became a legend in his community.

The young, poor orphan becomes a wealthy businessman: it's almost a cliche. But in Nouri's story there are no cliches. There are only remarkable instances of Divine Providence, self-sacrifice, devotion, and an almost extraordinary level of chesed and caring - a true life odyssey that reads like a novel. Learn More

The birthplace of chess is shrouded in mystery. Some say India or China. Others attribute it to Persia or Greece. Another legend maintains that the game was created in the court of King Solomon about 3,000 years ago…

This charming, enthralling, and suspenseful story takes place in the ancient kingdom of Persia. The hero, an impoverished teenager named Bijan, is a horse trainer who helps a wise old traveler… and rediscovers the game of chess. Ultimately, King Cyrus is so impressed by the game that he rewards Bijan with any single request.

Join Bijan on his incredible journey — and watch his unique request take on a life of its own, ultimately altering the course of history. The ensuing events catapult both the king and the stable boy on an adventurous and bizarre global quest that is limited only by the reader’s imagination.

About the Author:

Born in Israel in 1948, Yitzhak Salomon is a veteran of two wars. Early on in life, he discovered that he would rather hold a pen than a gun. This revelation opened the door to a prolific writing career encompassing history, philosophy, satire, and spirituality. He lives in New Jersey with his wife and two children. Learn More

פרשיות מרתקות על שלוחי הרבי מליובאוויטש בשליחויות עלומות במדינות אויב Learn More

Mrs. Tuky (Gestetner) Treitel is a well respected member of the Montreal Jewish community where she’s lived for decades and raised a beautiful family. However, her experiences as a hidden child during WWII are always with her.

This inspiring chapter book takes young readers back to that dark and perilous time, allowing them to walk along with six-year-old Tuky, her little brother, and their cousin, as they leave a comfortable life and happy Jewish home to hide from the Nazis.

Will the three children be able to blend in with simple farm families in the Hungarian countryside? Will they remember they are Jewish? Will they be able to keep such a dangerous secret?

Excellent, age-appropriate introduction to the Holocaust for elementary school age children. Bonus material includes family photos, a historical note, and a recent interview with Mrs. Tuky (Gestetner) Treitel, by her daughter, Author Shterni Rosenfeld.

Ages 8 to 12 Learn More

"From now on this is going to be your name: 68818".

Everything had been taken from him except his name. Now they were taking that too.

Who was the boy behind the number? As you discover 68818 in this gripping Holocaust memoir, you may just discover yourself, as well.

This poignant, gripping account of the extraordinary courage of a young boy in the holocaust comes to life with the rich illustrations of Gadi Pollack. It is ready to be used as an educational text with historical overview of the war years, maps, timelines, a chapter-by-chapter learning guide color coded with historical, psychological, heroic, Jewish heritage and literary lessons. Learn More

"Samarkand" tells the story of the Chassidic underground that operated in the Soviet Union, upholding Judaism during the rule of communist terror. Gripping narrative sweep the reader to distant lands, and paints a picture of mysterious figures in Samarkand's alleys, secret Torah study under the constant threat of arrest by the KGB, and the long and hard fought victory in inspiring Jewish renaissance throughout the Soviet Union. Learn More

It was dark and cold, and we were working, exerting ourselves, hacking boulders, dragging stones, and running back and forth. We worked all night without receiving a morsel to eat or drink. But each night at midnight, the same act of chessed repeated itself: the slave laborers on the other side of the wall risked their lives and sent over a huge pot of hot coffee to infuse our tortured bodies and souls with a bit of life.

I will never forget those moments of revival. It was another deeply moving display of compassion in the depths of the darkness…

The riveting story of the Sassover Rebbetzin is illuminated by rays of chessed and emunah. The physical and emotional suffering the Rebbetzin experienced are beyond comprehension. The challenges she faced after the war were enormous—yet her submission to the Divine Will overpowered every obstacle.

Follow the Rebbetzin on her arduous journey, and hear the story in her own words. They will surely strengthen your emunah. Learn More