“…the beauty, magic, and inspiration for real life living and learning”

“Real life through Jewish eyes is what Sylvia Rouss brings to readers.  The Rabbi and the Firefighters:  Stories to Inspire Children touches its readers with the beauty, magic, and inspiration for real life living and learning.  Compelling, authentic, and poignant, The Rabbi and the Firefighters:  Stories to Inspire Children, opens the doorway for discussing important life events and reaffirms the timelessness of Jewish principles. The stories, themselves, are the teachers…be a sponge and drink them in.” From Robyn Hurvitz and Lynne Lieberman, Department of Professional Development and School Services, Lorraine & Jack N. Friedman Commission for Jewish Education in West Palm Beach, FL.  Leaders in Jewish education, Robyn and Lynne are dedicated to transforming Jewish learning in the lives of 21stcentury families and beyond.

“The Rabbi and the Firefighters, Inspirational Stories for Children” will be released in the  fall of 2012 by Apples&Honey Press

A Preview of Hadassah & the Huppah

My Aunt Debbie stopped by today. “Did you come to take me to the zoo?” I asked hopefully.
“No, Haddie. Remember my friend, Noah Levy, who’s been in Israel studying to become a rabbi? He just came home today,” she continued. “Our wedding is in a few weeks and I want to tell your mommy about the final plans.”
Lately, every time Aunt Debbie comes over, all she wants to talk about is Noah and the wedding. She used to spend more time with me. We’d go to the library, or the science museum, or the park. But now she doesn’t have time to do anything with me anymore.
I listened as my aunt told my mother about the ring Noah would give her at their wedding ceremony. “It belonged to Noah’s grandmother!” she proudly announced.
I couldn’t understand why Aunt Debbie thought an old, used ring  was so special. I have some old stuff that I would be happy to give her.
Then she added, “Noah is a brilliant scholar. He’s so smart! He studies all the time.”
“If he’s so smart why does he have to study?” I asked.
“Hadassah!” my mother said. “That isn’t very polite.” My mother always uses my full name whenever I do or say something wrong.