11 Books to Buy at Shavua HaSefer 2018
For book lovers in Israel, this week is simply the best, better than all the rest (Tina Turner soundtrack anyone?) It’s
Shavua HaSefer HaIvri (Hebrew Book Week) with sales and events across the country. While, back in 1962, Koren started as an Israeli company that published classic Jewish texts exclusively in Hebrew, we’ve expanded throughout the years, and now publish works in more than five languages with more in the works (stay tuned for details).
In fact, we’re one of few publishers in Israel who have the privilege of showcasing books at
Shavua HaSefer in a variety of languages, so we prefer to call it "Israel Book Week" and put our
entire inventory on sale.
Since it's often quite difficult to decide which Siddur, Tanakh or book on Jewish thought to bring home, we put together a list of some of new and bestselling titles that we released this past year. You're welcome to use this as a guide, but don't forget to delve into our older, classic titles, too!
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The Koren Aviv Weekday Siddur (ISBN 9789653018938) Designed as a tool for teens to explore their relationship to their God, their people, their history, the values and religion of their people, and ultimately their own identity. This is the third volume of the Magerman Educational Siddur Series and includes a wealth of inspiring commentary, color photos, and more.
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The Koren Steinsaltz Hatankah Hamevoar Humash Set – 5 volumes (ISBN 9789653019713)This Humash edition is part of the HaTanakh HaMevoar project, an 18- volume monumental work of genius that features extraordinary notes and commentary by the inimitable Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz. With charts, tables, illustrations, and much, much more. A beautiful gift for anyone wishing to delve into the Torah text.
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The Koren Rav Kook Siddur (ISBN 9789653017542) A complete Hebrew-English Siddur for weekday, shabbat and hagim that features commentary on Jewish prayer based on Rav Kook’s ‘Olat Re’iyah, and other writings, never before seen in English. It also includes rich anecdotes transmitted by Rav Kook’s son and major disciples. A beautifl source of inspiration that “speaks to the soul while planting our feet on the sacred soil of the Holy Land.”
4.
Faith Shattered and Restored: Judaism in the Postmodern Age by Rav Shagar (zt"l) (ISBN: 9781592644643) Part of the Maggid Modern Classics series, this volume is the first authoritative attempt to introduce the English-speaking public to one of Israel’s most creative and influential thinkers. Rav Shagar's seminal essays set out a new path for preserving and cultivating Jewish spirituality in the twenty-first century and beyond. (Maggid Books)
5.
By His Light: Character and Values in the Service of God by Rav Aharon Lichtenstein (zt"l) (ISBN: 9781592644698) Part of the Maggid Modern Classics series,
By His Lightexplores the development of the religious personality. He advocates a life centered on the service of God, but recognizes multiple paths to this goal. Acknowledging that both the Jewish value system and human experience are multifaceted, he examines the relevant issues from an unusually wide perspective. See the link for a list of topics addressed in this volume. (Maggid Books)
6.
Books of the People: Revisiting Classic Works of Jewish Thought (ISBN: 9781592644704) Published together with Yeshiva University's Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought, this remarkable volume presents ten foundational books written between the 10th-20th centuries that have dramatically influenced the development of Jewish thought, examined by contemporary scholars of Jewish studies. An invaluable resource for all students, academics, and teachers.(Maggid Books)
7.
#Parasha Weekly Insights from a Leading Israeli Journalist by Sivan Rahav-Meir (ISBN: 9781592644933) Translated from her bestselling Hebrew
parasha book, Rahav-Meir, Israel's "favorite media personality" according to Globes, shares brief reflections on the Torah from sources past and present, infused with a thought-provoking message for the entire family. (Menorah Books)
8.
Not at Risk: Education as a Work of Heart by Menachem and Leah Leslie Gottesman (ISBN: 9781940516745) The extraordinary story of how, despite myriad challenges, the Gottesmans established an alternative religious school in Jerusalem for troubled teens that has transformed the lives of hundreds of students. Includes inspiring interviews from alumni, parents, teachers and faculty. (Menorah Books)
9.
The Road to Resilience: From Chaos to Celebration by Sherri Mandell (ISBN: 9781592643837) How do you grow from grief? Here, Mandell, whose son Koby was ruthlessly murdered at the age of 13 by Palestinian terrorists, explores the seven spiritual steps of resilience that teach us how to not only survive grief, but how to thrive in the face of loss and trauma. (The Toby Press)
10.
The Outcast & Other Tales by S.Y. Agnon The 15th and final volume in the S.Y. Agnon Library, this volume opens with “The Outcast,” in a first-time English translation, an affecting novella about the clash within traditional Jewish civilization between Hasidism and its opponents, and how that historic confrontation plays itself out within the heart and mind of one sensitive young man. Ten additional stories paint lyrical portraits of traditional Jewish life in Europe and the Land of Israel—worlds on the cusp of seismic shifts and historic transformations. Edited and annotated by Jeffrey Saks. (The Toby Press)
11.
The Israel Bible (ISBN:9781940516806)
The Israel Bible is the world's first Tanakh centered around the Land of Israel, the People of Israel, and the dynamic relationship between them. Includes inspiring commentary, Hebrew text with linear English translation, charts, illustrations, maps and more. Edited by Rabbi Tuly Weisz (Menorah Books)
Come visit us at either the First Station in Jerusalem or at Kikar Rabin in Tel Aviv! Huge sales are also on our website throughout the
entire month of June!
Chag Sefer Sameach!
7. #Parasha Weekly Insights from a Leading Israeli Journalist by Sivan Rahav-Meir (ISBN: 9781592644933) Translated from her bestselling Hebrew parasha book, Rahav-Meir, Israel's "favorite media personality" according to Globes, shares brief reflections on the Torah from sources past and present, infused with a thought-provoking message for the entire family. (Menorah Books)
8. Not at Risk: Education as a Work of Heart by Menachem and Leah Leslie Gottesman (ISBN: 9781940516745) The extraordinary story of how, despite myriad challenges, the Gottesmans established an alternative religious school in Jerusalem for troubled teens that has transformed the lives of hundreds of students. Includes inspiring interviews from alumni, parents, teachers and faculty. (Menorah Books)
9. The Road to Resilience: From Chaos to Celebration by Sherri Mandell (ISBN: 9781592643837) How do you grow from grief? Here, Mandell, whose son Koby was ruthlessly murdered at the age of 13 by Palestinian terrorists, explores the seven spiritual steps of resilience that teach us how to not only survive grief, but how to thrive in the face of loss and trauma. (The Toby Press)
10. The Outcast & Other Tales by S.Y. Agnon The 15th and final volume in the S.Y. Agnon Library, this volume opens with “The Outcast,” in a first-time English translation, an affecting novella about the clash within traditional Jewish civilization between Hasidism and its opponents, and how that historic confrontation plays itself out within the heart and mind of one sensitive young man. Ten additional stories paint lyrical portraits of traditional Jewish life in Europe and the Land of Israel—worlds on the cusp of seismic shifts and historic transformations. Edited and annotated by Jeffrey Saks. (The Toby Press)
11. The Israel Bible (ISBN:9781940516806) The Israel Bible is the world's first Tanakh centered around the Land of Israel, the People of Israel, and the dynamic relationship between them. Includes inspiring commentary, Hebrew text with linear English translation, charts, illustrations, maps and more. Edited by Rabbi Tuly Weisz (Menorah Books)
