because we have a short opportunity to invite our kids into a deeper conversation

The Jewish world does a pretty good job until age thirteen. But what about that precious time after the big day? What about people who don’t go to Jewish day school, don’t join a youth group, and don’t do confirmation? We need a way to invite those kids into a meaningful Jewish conversation, with something that is not condescending, cheesy, or juvenile. That’s where this book comes in - it’s energetic, real, and honest, and engaging.

Click here to see sample pages.

Where did this book come from?

Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, who told his students this story more than 200 years ago, was a way-ahead-of-his-time teacher whose tales and lessons have proven quite useful for 21st-century people. There’s really no one like him. 

Rabbi Gavriel Goldfeder, who wrote this book (but not the story it’s based on), is alive and well and living near Boston (at least for the moment). He is very interested in helping teenagers find a relationship to Jewishness that really speaks to them and gets them excited. There’s no one like him, either. You can find more about him at realrabbi.com. 

Rabbi Matisyahu Tonti, who illustrated this book, loves himself some drawing! He also gets to teach Torah and music to kids which is pretty much the best job ever.  Add that to climbing mountains with his family, and that about sums it up. Mat is  also the author/illustrator of the graphic novel The Book of Secrets. mattonti.com 

Hillel Smith took the different pieces of this book and put them together in the form you’re holding in your hands. He paints Jewish murals around the world and makes fun, Jewish art projects for various organizations.  If you haven’t seen his stuff before you should look it up. hillelsmith.info