Books published by publisher Jewish Publication Society

A young adult biography that focuses on Einstein as a great Jewish thinker and champion of Israel. In 2005, the world celebrated Albert Einstein’s annus mirabile, the miraculous year. It was the 100th anniversary of the publication of his five pioneering papers that led to revolutionary changes in our understanding of the properties of space and time. The anniversary of the Einstein’s theory of relativity and the publication of his famous formula, e=mc2, presents JPS with an opportunity to educate a new generation of young readers about Einstein’s importance as a scientist and, more specifically, as a Jew. Speregen fully explores the fascinating story of Albert Einstein’s connection to his Jewish roots and the growth of his commitment to the creation of the State of Israel. She describes Einstein’s difficult early years as a student in Germany’s repressive school system and details his struggle to respond to his stubborn questioning nature and personal search for answers to some of the great questions of the universe. The author discusses how Einstein’s ties to his people grew as he witnessed the rise of anti-Semitism in the early 1900s and his relentless efforts to raise money and public awareness to promote the creation of the State of Israel. (In fact, he was even offered the presidency of Israel after the death of Chaim Weizman.)

In this collection of fifteen classic Jewish folktales, the authors share some of the richest stories of Jewish tradition from countries the world over, including France, Turkey, Israel, Yemen, Egypt, and Iraq, thus opening up new worlds for young readers. Each tale, magnificently illustrated with a pen-and-ink drawing, reveals a specific Jewish value handed down from one generation to the next.

Rashi’s Daughter, Secret Scholar was adapted from the first book in this series, Volume 1: Joheved. The tale of a young girl who challenges conventions to engage in Jewish learning; Set in 11th-century Troyes, France, Rashi’s Daughter, Secret Scholar tells the story of Joheved, eldest daughter of Salomon ben Isaac (known as Rashi), one of the great medieval Jewish Bible commentators. At a time when women traditionally were barred from studying Jewish texts, Rashi secretly teaches first Joheved, then her sister Miriam. By day, Joheved helps in running the household and the family winemaking business, and by night she studies Talmud with her father. As she nears marriageable age, Joheved finds her mind and spirit awakened by religious study, but she must keep her passion for learning and prayer hidden. When she becomes betrothed to Meir ben Samuel, she is forced to choose between marital happiness and being true to her love of the Talmud. Will she fulfill the expected role of a Jewish woman or pursue a path of Jewish learning?

A unique presentation of the history of Jewish life and culture in the United States over the past 500 years. Jews in America is a graphic history that uses the comic book format -- an artistic expression as American as jazz -- to depict five centuries of Jewish life in America. With a blend of humor, history, and old-fashoned sentimentality, the author illustrates the prominence of Jews in U.S. history from the time Columbus first set foot in the New World.

Hannah Szenes grew up in a loving home filled with books, plays, and music. Unfortunately, the rise of the Nazis in her native Hungary forced Hannah to immigrate to Palestine, where she became an ardent Zionist pioneer. Haunted by the murder of the Jews by Hitler, she risked her own life to become a resistance fighter, vowing to save as many Jewish lives as possible. This is the true, tragic story of a young girl who gave her life in the struggle to save the doomed Jews of Europe.

The streets are eerily empty, and everyone in the Jewish community is terrified of Peter the Hermit. His men, the Crusaders, are moving through the town on their way to the Holy Land. They have been known to batter down doors and burn Jewish houses, all in the name of religion. This is not Nazi Germany but Troyes, France, in 1096, as seen through the eyes of funny, feisty, twelve-year-old Elvina. She is the granddaughter of the great rabbi Rashi, and she knows how to read and write—which is very rare for a girl of her time. She draws strength from this, as well as from her guardian angel, to whom she regularly speaks. On a cold Sabbath afternoon while Elvina is alone in the house, three soldiers pound at her door. One of them is wounded. Elvina has only a moment to make a difficult choice that could put her family and the entire community at risk. Can her guardian angel guide her and keep her safe? My Guardian Angel is a story of compassion and tolerance that speaks clearly to readers of all faiths. Elvina’s voice lingers long in memory, and her courage and humor long in the heart.

Perhaps best known by most Americans for his headline-making participation in the 1965 Selma, Alabama demonstration alongside the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., Heschel was also an extraordinary Jewish educator and the author of nearly two dozen books.He inspired millions of Jews and non-Jews alike throughout the world with his writings and his campaigns for social causes. Ages 9-12

A unique presentation of the history of Jewish life and culture in the United States over the past 500 years Jews in America is a graphic history that uses the comic book format—an artistic expression as American as jazz—to depict five centuries of Jewish life in this country. With its blend of humor, history, and old-fashioned sentimentality, Gantz, an artist who has spent a lifetime using paper and ink to present social commentary and issues with wry wit, illustrates the prominence of Jews in American history from the time Columbus first set foot in the New World. Jews in America will appeal to readers from ages 12 to 120.