Meet Apples & Honey Press Authors

Posted: September 09, 2020

Categories: Picture Books , Apples & Honey Press

Excuse us while this page is under construction! More information about our Apples & Honey Press Contributors is being added every day!

	David A. Adler Author of Hanukkah Cookies With Sprinkles and Yom Kippur Shortstop David A. Adler is the author of more than 250 books for young readers, including the popular Cam Jansen and Young Cam Jansen series, and many books on Jewish topics. He lives in Woodmere, New York. See more at www.DavidAAdler.com and www.CamJansen.com
	Josh Anderson Author of Monster Bar Mitzvah Josh Anderson has written more than 60 books for children and young adults. His two sons are the greatest joys in his life. His favorite things to do are reading and coaching youth sports.
	Chris Barash Author of Wait! It's Friday and Jackie and Jesse and Joni and Jae Chris Barash is a former teacher and Head of School at Sinai Academy of the Berkshires in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. She has written a number of Jewish-themed children's books and lives in the beautiful Berkshire Mountains in western Massachusetts.
	Amanda Benjamin Author of Journey Through Jerusalem Amanda Benjamin is a writer, freelance editor and painter whose dream, along with her own creative projects, is to establish a small gallery for emerging artists in the eclectic south Tel Aviv neighbourhood in which she is lucky enough to live. Please visit her instagram profile: @amandacohentelaviv
	Leah Berkowitz Author of Maybe It Happened This Way: Bible Stories Reimagined, Queen Vashti's Comfy Pants , and Moving Box Sukkah Rabbi Leah Berkowitz is the spiritual leader of Congregation Kol Ami in Elkins Park, PA. She is the author of two children's books: The World Needs Beautiful Things (Kar-Ben 2018) and Queen Vashti's Comfy Pants (Apples and Honey Press 2021). Leah is currently working on a book of Torah-based stories for middle-grade readers with co-author Erica Wovsaniker (Behrman House 2022). You can find her on social media @rabbilrb or online at leahrachelberkowitz.com
	Emma Carlson Berne Author of Rose Spoke Out: The Story of Rose Schneiderman Emma Carlson Berne is the author of many books for young readers, including Books By Horseback, illustrated by Ilaria Urbinati, and Shabbat Sabotage, a middle-grade mystery. She often writes about Jewish history and culture. Emma lives with her family in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she enjoys reading, horseback riding, and walking in the woods.
	Barbara Bietz Author of Apples, Apples, All Year Round and the upcoming Challah, Challah for You and Me Barbara Bietz is an award-winning author and the creator of the website www.JewishBooksforKids.com where she interviews authors, illustrators, editors, and more. Barbara is a former chair of the Sydney Taylor Book Awards committee (Association of Jewish Libraries). When she isn’t writing, Barbara enjoys playing guitar and building dollhouses. She lives with her family in Southern California. Visit her at www.BarbaraBietz.com.
	Rachelle Burk Author of the upcoming Matzah Ball Chase Rachelle Burk is the author of many fiction and nonfiction books for children, including several Jewish-themed children’s books. She is also a children’s entertainer and storyteller, and a retired social worker. In her free time she enjoys hiking, scuba diving, and creating mosaic art. Rachelle loves to visit schools around the country. You can find her at rachelleburk.com
	Chaim Burston Author of Babel Chaim Burston is an internationally known storyteller, and a musician. He has recorded five collections of beautiful and haunting tunes entitled Jewish Mystical Melodies. Learn more at www.Rabbiburston.com.
	Claudia Carlson Author of the Avi The Ambulance Series Claudia Carlson is the original author of the Avi the Ambulance series. Avi the Ambulance and the Snowy Day is dedicated to her memory. See more at www.claudiagraphics.com
	Jonathan Shmidt Chapman Author of the upcoming In The Beginning: My Storybook Bible Jonathan Shmidt Chapman is an award-winning artist, writer, and Jewish educator. As the founder of the K’ilu Company, Jonathan reimagines Jewish early childhood engagement through theater and play. He is the author of Let There Be Play: Bringing the Bible to Life with Young Children (Behrman House, 2024). Jonathan was named the Covenant Foundation’s inaugural Jewish Family Education Fellow in 2023. Jonathan’s theatrical work for children and families has been presented by Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the Kennedy Center, and Seattle Children’s Theatre. He lives in the Chicago area with his husband, Rabbi David Chapman, and their two children, Elior and Amitai.
	Lisa Rose Chottinger Author of Zombie Vacation Lisa Rose is the author of Shmulik Paints the Town, the Star Powers series, and other books for children. She lives near Detroit, Michigan.
	Rhonda Cohen Author of Matilda Makes Matzah Balls Rhonda Cohen lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, three girls, and one dog, as a stay at home mom and homeschool teacher. Prior to this she was a magazine editor in NYC and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, specializing in Family and Children. Matilda Makes Matzah Balls is her debut picture book.
	Rabbi Mychal Copeland Author of I Am the Tree of Life: My Jewish Yoga Book Rabbi Mychal Copeland is the spiritual leader of Congregation Sha'ar Zahav in San Francisco.She is both a rabbi and a certified yoga instructor who fuses Jewish spirituality with movement through yoga. Mychal is passionate about leading people toward a profound spiritual life that embraces everything that they are. I Am the Tree of Life is her first children's book.
	Debra Darvick Author of We Are Jewish Faces Debra Darvick is an author, columnist, and blogger. She lives in Birmingham, Michigan.
	Russell Erickson Author of A Toad for Tuesday (50th anniversary edition) Russell E. Erickson is the author of seven books in the Warton and Morton series, originally published from 1974-1988. He is a writer and lithographer whose other interests include photography, skiing, carpentry, fishing, and puttering around his yard and vegetable garden. He lives in Bristol, Connecticut. Among his neighbors are toads, owls, blackbirds, moles and other little creatures who populate his stories.
	Barbara Diamond-Goldin Author of Passover Cowboy, A Persian Princess, and Night Lights: A Sukkot Story and the upcoming Benjy's Messy Room Barbara Diamond Goldin received the Sydney Taylor Body-of-Work Award from the Association of Jewish Libraries. She has written many distinguished books on Jewish themes, including The Best Hanukkah Ever, The World’s Birthday: A Rosh Hashanah Story, and Cakes and Miracles: A Purim Tale. A former preschool teacher, language arts teacher, and writing instructor, Barbara is currently director of a public library and lives in western Massachusetts.
	Karen Rostoker-Gruber Author of Farmer Kobi's Hanukkah Match , Maddie The Mitzvah Clown and the upcoming Don't Invite a Bear Inside for Hanukkah Karen Rostoker-Gruber is an award-winning children's book author and humorist. She has six picture books and four adult humor books to her name. She is also a ventriloquist and performs with Maria, her puppet, in schools and libraries. See more at www.karenrostoker-gruber.com
	Bonnie Grubman Author of Oy Vey! Life In A Shoe and The Desert Unicorn Bonnie Grubman is an early childhood educator and author. She grew up with her parents, brother and sister, pet turtles, and parakeet. (It was almost as crowded as a shoe!) Today, Bonnie lives in New York with her husband Herby.
	Todd Gutnick Author of Golem Goes to Camp Todd Gutnick is the Senior Director of Communications at the Anti-Defamation League. This is his first book. A native of Pittsburgh, he lives with his family in South Orange, New Jersey.
	Maxine Handelman Author of The Shabbat Angels Maxine Segal Handelman is the Early Childhood Education Specialist for the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. She is the author of Jewish Every Day, and What's Jewish about Butterflies.
	Megan Hoyt Author of Tzimmes for Tzipporah Megan Hoyt also wrote Jewish Book Award finalist Bartali’s Bicycle, The Greatest Song of All, and two more books with HarperCollins’ Quill Tree Books imprint. When she is not writing, she loves to swim, walk beside the Catawba river, and read. Visit her at www.meganhoyt.net
	Johanna Hurwitz Author of The Unexpected Adventures of C.A.T. Johanna didn’t publish her first book, Busybody Nora, until she was thirty-eight years old. Since then, she has written and published more than seventy books, including the Riverside Kids series, Class Clown, Baseball Fever, and many others. She has also been a children’s librarian in school and public libraries. In addition, she has traveled all over the United States and other countries talking to children, teachers, and parents about reading and writing. One of her favorite activities is exploring secondhand bookstores and discovering wonderful out-of-print books that she wasn’t looking for and didn’t even know existed. Johanna lives on Long Island, except in the summer, when she goes to Vermont. She has two children and three grandchildren. She has owned four cats, but not all at the same time.
	Rabbi Ron Isaacs Author of Farmer Kobi's Hanukkah Match Rabbi Ron Isaacs is Rabbi Emeritus of Temple Sholom in Bridgewater, New Jersey, where he has served for forty years. Currently, he is also serving as the Rabbi of Beth Judah Temple in Wildwood, New Jersey, which is the only synagogue in Cape May County on the Jersey Shore. Author of more than 100 books, his Ask the Rabbi book and website (www.rabbiron.com) keeps him busy answering an eggz-traordinary collection of questions.
	Jaqueline Jules Author of The Porridge Pot Goblin Jacqueline Jules is the author of 50 books for young readers including four Sydney Taylor Honor Award winners, Sarah Laughs, Benjamin and the Silver Goblet, Never Say a Mean Word Again, and Drop by Drop: A Story of Rabbi Akiva. Her books, The Hardest Word and Never Say a Mean Word Again were National Jewish Book Award Finalists. She is also the author of Picnic at Camp Shalom, What a Way To Start a New Year, Goodnight Sh'ma, and Once Upon a Shabbos. She lives in Long Island, New York. Visit her online at www.jacquelinejules.com
	Eric A. Kimmel Author of Little Red Rosie, Big Sam: A Rosh Hashanah Story , Right Side Up: Adventures in Chelm, Shield of the Maccabees , Miriam and the Sasquatch: A Rosh Hashanah Story and the upcoming Matzah Man Eric A. Kimmel is the author of more than a hundred books for children, including the classic Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins. He is the only author to have won the National Jewish Book Award five times—for The Chanukkah Guest, The Mysterious Guests, Wonders & Miracles, The Golem’s Latkes, and Hanukkah Bear. The Association of Jewish Libraries has awarded him the Sydney Taylor Award for Lifetime Achievement. He lives in Portland, Oregon.
	Leslie Kimmelman Author of The Rabbi Slurps Spaghetti , Worse and Worse on Noah's Ark, Mr. Mintz's Blintzes, How to Be a Mensch, by A. Monster, Eve and Adam and Their Very First Day, and the upcoming Waiting for Lumpy Leslie Kimmelman is the author of many well-regarded picture books, including Everybody Says Shalom, a Sydney Taylor Honor Book, and The Little Red Hen and the Passover Matzah. She is also a book editor at Sesame Workshop. Leslie lives with her family in New York, where she can often be found either snooping around or slurping spaghetti. Visit her at www.lesliekimmelman.com.
	Rabbi Zoe Klein Author of The Goblins Of Knottingham Rabbi Zoe Klein is the author of the acclaimed novel, Drawing in the Dust. She serves as the spiritual leader of Temple Isaiah in Los Angeles. www.zoeklein.com
	Ann D. Koffsky Author/Illustrator of the NEW Kayla and Kugel's Silly Sukkot, Kayla And Kugel, Kayla And Kugel's Almost-Perfect Passover, Kayla and Kugel's Happy Hanukkah, Noah's Swim-A-Thon, Creation Colors, What's in Tuli's Box?, Under the Sea Seder, the upcoming My Shofar, The Peddler and the President and My Mezuzah. Author Of Judah Maccabee Goes To The Doctor and Avi And The Snowy Day Ann D. Koffsky is the author/or illustrator of more than thirty books for children, including Frogs in the Bed: My Passover Seder Activity Book and the Kayla and Kugel series. She lives in West Hempstead, New York. See more at www.annkoffsky.com
	Gloria Koster Author of Dance the Hora, Isadora A public and a school librarian, Gloria is a member of the Children’s Book Committee of the Bank Street College of Education. She enjoys both city and country life, dividing her time between Manhattan and her longtime residence in the small town of Pound Ridge, NY. Gloria is the mother of three adult children and a bunch of energetic grand kids. Her previous published books include Mitzi’s Mitzvah (Kar-Ben) and Little Red Ruthie: A Hanukkah Tale (Albert Whitman). Both of these titles are PJ Library selections. Visit her at: www.gloriakoster.com
	Stephen Krensky Author of *Hank on First! and* *Hanukkah at Valley Forge (revised edition)* Stephen Krensky is the author of more than 150 fiction and nonfiction books for children, including Hanukkah at Valley Forge, which won the Sydney Taylor Gold Medal for picture books. He and his wife Joan live in Lexington, Massachusetts, and he happily spends as much time as possible with his grown children and not-so-grown grandchildren.
	Deborah Lakritz Author of A Place to Belong Deborah Lakritz is the author of Say Hello, Lily, a Sydney Taylor Notable Book for Young Readers, and PJ Library selection. Along with several other picture books, she is also the author of the forthcoming middle grade novel, Things That Shimmer. A former school social worker, Deborah lives in Wisconsin where she and her husband raised five children.
	Tami Lehman-Wilzig Author of The Boston Chocolate Party, and the upcoming On the Wings of Eagles, and The Henna Helper Tami Lehman-Wilzig is an award-winning author of 13 Jewish content picture books. Living in Israel for over four decades, she served as one of the country’s leading English language advertising copywriters for thirty-five years, creating the marketing image of numerous Israeli exporters. Now retired, she lives in Kfar Saba with her husband. While her grandchildren are in school, this busy Savta (Grandma) writes new picture book stories, creates fused glass art, and is an avid amateur photographer. When the grandchildren are on vacation or with her and Saba (Grandpa) on Friday nights, it’s a whole different story. Maybe even a book!
	Pierre Lehu Author of Leopold Pierre A. Lehu has written over 20 books, most in conjunction with Dr. Ruth Westheimer, with whom he has worked for more than 40 years, covering such diverse topics as sex, sake, fashion, and making the most of opportunities in college and in midlife. He lives in New York.
	Michael Leventhal Author of The Chocolate King Michael Leventhal is the co-author of Jews in Britain, author of The Chocolate King, and compiled Babka, Boulou & Blintzes: Jewish Chocolate Recipes From Around the World. He eats a lot of chocolate and, in the years before becoming a father, ran a Jewish food charity named Gefiltefest. He is the publisher of Green Bean Books (www.greenbeanbooks.com) and Greenhill Books (www.greenhillbooks.com).
	Debbie Levy Author of Yiddish Saves the Day Debbie Levy is the award-winning author of many books, including New York Times bestseller I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark; The Year of Goodbyes; and The Key from Spain: Flory Jagoda and Her Music. Her most recent book is Photo Ark ABC: An Animal Alphabet in Poetry and Pictures, featuring photographs by National Geographic Explorer Joel Sartore. She lives on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and in Washington, DC, with her husband.
	Eric Lindberg Co-Author of Sing-Along Alef Bet Eric Lindberg is an award winning multi-instrumentalist who brings his background in Jazz and classical music to the acoustic sounds of bluegrass and old-time music. He works alongside Doni Zasloff as musical director, songwriter, and producer on their recordings. Eric performs as part of their due, Nefesh Mountain, and in the Mama Doni Band for kids and families
	Marc Lumer Author/Illustrator of Babel and American Golem: The New Adventures Of An Old World Mud Monster Marc is an animation director and producer, and children’s book writer-illustrator. He produced the Netflix Original Series, Mighty Little Bheem, which has gathered more than 4 Billion views on Youtube, Netflix Jr. and the co-creator of the Amazon Series Kalari Kids. He has collaborated with two-time Oscar winning director, Brad Bird and on projects at Dreamworks, Warner Bros., Sonny and Disney. Marc has written and published 12 children’s books. See more of Marc's work at marc@marclumerproductions.com
	Erica Lyons Author of Alone Together on Dan Street and the upcoming Saliman and the Memory Stone Erica Lyons is chair of the Hong Kong Jewish Historical Society and publisher of Asian Jewish Life. She is the founder and director of PJ Library Hong Kong. She was a scholar with Genesis Philanthropy’s “Our Common Destiny” forum and is the Hong Kong delegate to World Jewish Congress. Visit her at https://www.erica-lyons.com
	Jennifer Tzivia MacLeod Author of Fast Asleep In A Little Village In Israel and Pumpkin Pie for Sigd Jennifer Tzivia MacLeod is the proud mother of four children (two big and two bigger). A freelance writer for magazines, newspapers, and online publications, she lives in Northern israel with her family. She loves creating stories for her children and their friends. Visit her at www.tzivia.com.
	Pamela Moritz *Author of If I Lived with Noah,* *If I Swam with Jonah, and the upcoming Avital the Pirate* Pamela Moritz is a children's book writer and English teacher. She is also the recipient of the SCBWI PJ Library Jewish Stories Award and the PJ Library Author Incentive Award for If I Lived with Noah. When not writing or teaching, Pam can be found hiking or reading to her grandchildren. She lives in Israel with her husband and children.
	DovBer Naiditch Author of Babel DovBer Naiditch has been published in numerous journals and small print collections. His short story The Angel in the House was named a notable selection in America’s Best Short Stories 2013, and he is also a writer for the Jewish video company, www.Shmideo.com.
	Rona Milch Novick Author of Mommy, Can You Stop the Rain? and Daddy, Can You Make Me Tall? Rona MIlch Novick, PhD is a clinical psychologist and the Dean of the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education at Yeshiva University. You can read her parenting articles at www.lifestoolbox.wordpress.com. She lives on Long Island, New York
	Allison Ofanansky Author of How It's Made: Torah Scroll, How It's Made: Matzah, How It's Made: Hanukkah Menorah and Esther Didn't Dream of Being Queen Allison Ofanansky is an author and editor. She won the National Jewish Book Award for her picture book, The Patchwork Torah.
	Kerry Olitzky Author of The Desert Unicorn and Miryam's Dance Kerry Olitzky, named one of the fifty leading rabbis in North America by Newsweek, is the author of the Welcome to the Seder: A Passover Haggadah for Everyone as well as a number of children’s books. He lives in New Jersey.
	Rachel Ornstein Packer Author of Sky High Sukkah Rachel Ornstein Packer holds an M.S.W. from Yeshiva University and has worked in the Jewish non-profit world for many years. She is now a writer specializing in food allergies, diet, and nutrition. Sky-High Sukkah is her first children’s book. Rachel lives in Olney, MD.
	Rabbi Deborah Prinz Author of The Boston Chocolate Party Rabbi Deborah Prinz authored the pioneering bestseller On the Chocolate Trail. That book provided the foundation for the museum exhibit, “Semite Sweet: On Jews and Chocolate” at the Bernard Museum, NYC, which is now available to travel to venues around the world. Her forthcoming book about Jewish celebratory breads will be released in 2023 (Behrman House). Rabbi Prinz has held leadership positions in the national Jewish community and was a congregational rabbi for three decades. She lives in New York City. More of her writing and her work may be found at her website, Instagram, and Facebook.
	Andria Warmflash Rosenbaum Author of Hand In Hand Andria Warmflash Rosenbaum is an award-winning author and former special education teacher. She writes short stories, poetry, and picture books, including Trains Don't Sleep and Big Sister, Little Monster. She lives in New Jersey with her family.
	Sylvia Rouss Author of King David & Akavish The Spider, A Holiday For Ari Ant, The Littlest Pair and Yosef's Dream Sylvia Rouss is an award-winning author and early childhood educator who created the popular Sammy Spider books and the Littlest series. She has lectured throughout the United States, Europe, and Israel. See more at www.sylviarouss.com
	Elana Rubinstein *Author of The Royal Recipe: A Purim Story,* *A Donut in Time: A Hanukkah Story,* **Once Upon an Apple Cake: A Rosh Hashanah Story, and Starlight Soup: A Sukkot Story** Elana Rubinstein is the author of the Saralee Siegel chapter book series. Her work includes Once Upon an Apple Cake (2019 National Jewish Book Award finalist). Elana is also an early childhood educator. In her spare time, Elana enjoys drinking tea and reading fantasy books.
	Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso Author of Regina Persisted: An Untold Story, Judy Led the Way, and Sally Opened Doors: The Story of the First Woman Rabbi Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso was the first woman ordained as a rabbi by the Reconstructionist movement in the United States. She is the author of the best-selling book God's Paintbrush and many other children's books. She is rabbi emerita at Congregation Beth-El Zedeck in Indianapolis; director of Religion, Spirituality, and the Arts at the IUPUI Arts and Humanities Institute; and cofounder of Women4Change Indiana. She lives in Indianapolis.
	Rabbi Barry L. Schwartz Author of Adam's Animals and Jonah's Tale of a Whale Rabbi Barry L. Schwartz is the director of The Jewish Publication Society in Philadelphia and rabbi of Congregation Adas Emuno in Leonia, New Jersey. He is the author of Judaism's Great Debates; Jewish Heroes, Jewish Values; Jewish Theology: A Comparative Study; and Honi the Circlemarker: Eco-Fables from Ancient Israel.
	Ellen Schwartz Author of the upcoming Friends to the Rescue Ellen Schwartz is the author of 18 award-winning books for children, as well as one non-fiction book for adults, a collection of profiles of women singer-songwriters. Ellen’s children’s books range from picture books through middle-grade novels and young adult fiction and information books. In addition to writing books, Ellen works as a corporate writer and editor and as a freelance magazine writer. She has published hundreds of magazine articles. Ellen has taught creative writing classes for many years at the college and university levels. Ellen’s passions include reading, jazz dancing, baking, and hiking. (In fact, she has always wanted to be a professional dancer; only a lack of talent kept her from the stage.) After a decade of being hippie homesteaders in the Kootenay region of British Columbia, Ellen and her husband now live in Burnaby, BC.
	David Sherrin Author of Big Bad Wolf's Yom Kippur and the upcoming The Pirate Rabbi David Sherrin is a national award-winning teacher at Scarsdale High School in Westchester. He is the author of several books about teaching history including The Classes They Remember: Using Role-Plays to Bring Social Studies and English to Life. This book, along with The Pirate Rabbi, are his debut picture books. David lives in Tarrytown and is the proud dad of three children.
	Carl Harris Shuman Author of Max Builds a Time Machine and Max and Emma Cross the Red Sea and the upcoming Max and the Not-So-Perfect Apology: Torah Time Travel #3 Carl H. Shuman is a semi-retired employment law attorney who lives with his wife, Beth, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He and Beth also maintain a shoebox-size apartment in Brooklyn so that they can visit their grandchildren. Carl is the father of three children whose names all begin with the letter "S." He is also the grandfather of Jack Leo and Sonia Rose. When he is not writing stories or lawyering, he paints, gardens, and frequently leads Shabbat services at Congregation Chisuk Emuna -- which is, fortunately, only two blocks from his home in Harrisburg. Max Builds a Time Machine is PJ Library’s June 2022 selection for seven year olds. See more at www.carlshuman.com
	Shanna Silva Author of Hannah's Hanukkah Hiccups Shanna Silva is the author of Hannah's Hanukkah Hiccups and Passover Scavenger Hunt. She also writes leveled books for emerging readers used in schools. Her work can be found in the anthologies Multiples Illuminated I & II, Chicken Soup for the Soul, and on the Jewish parenting website, Kveller. She is also a Tony award winning Broadway producer.
	June Sobel Author of Apples, Apples, All Year Round and the upcoming Challah, Challah for You and Me June Sobel loves picture books for the way they awaken the wonder of words in children and keep the child alive in adults. Creating books for the very young pre-readers is her passion. She is the author of more than 10 picture books, including the best-selling THE GOODNIGHT TRAIN series. June enjoys exploring the world, hiking, and photography. Please visit her website at www.junesobel.com
	Leah Sokol Author of The Most Annoying Aliens Ever Leah Sokol is the author of several books for children, including "No Day Without Torah," "The Spanish Plot," and "The King's Horse: A Purim Story." She lives in Silver Spring, Maryland.
	Alyson Solomon Author of Thank You: Modeh Ani and Listen Sh'ma Rabbi Alyson Solomon is passionate about Judaism as a vibrant wisdom tradition and technology of meaning-making. “To me,” she says, “spirituality is asking questions that matter, and then living courageously in line with what I hear.” Rabbi Solomon is a courage coach, sacred maker and prayerful poet. She supports individuals, couples and companies to build, deepen and apply their own custom spiritual tool box, enriched by 4000 years of Jewish wisdom, curated by RAS. Thank You, Modeh Ani is her first published book and part of this growing spiritual tool box. Reach out at thisisRAS.com.
	Randi Sonenshine Author of The Inside Name Randi Sonenshine is a children’s author, literacy specialist, and instructional coach. Her picture books include The Nest That Wren Built, The Lodge That Beaver Built, and the forthcoming The Den That Octopus Built, all from Candlewick Press. The Inside Name is her first chapter book. Randi lives with her husband, two sons, and a sock-eating poodle in northwest Georgia, where she does her best writing accompanied by birdsong and a good pot of Earl Grey tea.
	Gloria Spielman Author of French Toast Sundays Gloria Spielman was born in London, grew up in the library, and has been writing ever since she can remember. She is the author of two children's biographies, Janus Korczak's Children and the award-winning Marcel-Marceau: Master of Mime.
	Rachel Spilker Author of Miryam's Dance Rachel Stock Spilker has served as a cantor at Mount Zion Temple in St. Paul, Minnesota since 1997. She was ordained in 1996 from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. She is currently working to establish an egalitarian mikveh in Minnesota. Rachel loves to travel and learn about other Jewish communities and has led congregational trips to Santa Fe, Cuba, and Morocco. She enjoys yoga, painting, and cooking. Rachel and her husband, Rabbi Adam Stock Spilker, are the proud parents of three children -- Eiden (who traveled with her to Uganda), Mirit, and Liam.
	Tammar Stein Author of The Giant, the Slingshot, and the Future King and the upcoming The Treasure of Tel Maresha Tammar Stein is the author of books for children and young adults, including Beni’s War, winner of the Middle East Book Award and The Six-Day Hero, a Junior Library Guild Selection and Sydney Taylor Honor. Tammar has lived on three continents, in five countries, and six states. She currently lives in Singapore with her family and adopted street dog.
	Susan Tarcov Author of the upcoming There's a Goblin on the Ark! Susan Tarcov grew up next to the Bronx Zoo, a great inspiration for writing children's books. She is married, has three children, and lives in Chicago. Her previous books include Maya Prays for Rain, Raisins and Almonds: A Yiddish Lullaby, and The Rabbi and His Donkey.
	Jenna Waldman Author of Purr-im Time, and Sharkbot Shalom, Larry's Latkes Jenna is the author of Sharkbot Shalom, Larry’s Latkes, and Purr-im Time. She has always loved creating for children, from her playful greeting cards, her work as a toy designer, to writing stories and poetry. Jenna lives with her husband, their two boys, and three felines in Northern CA— where there is always an experiment bubbling, fort construction underway, or cats lounging in boxes. Find our more at www.jennawaldman.com
	Elka Weber Author of Shimri's Big Idea Elka Weber is the author of the award-winning picture books The Yankee at the Seder and One Little Chicken. She lives in Jerusalem and loves bringing history to life.
	Vicki L. Weber Author of Hillel Takes a Bath, and Shabbat Shalom, A New Week, Start the Day, And Time for Bed Vicki Weber was in third grade when her first story was published and has been writing ever since. She has published numerous non-fiction works for both children and adults and is the author of the Jewish folktale collection, It's Too Crowded in Here!. A graduate of Bryn Mawr College, she also earned a master's degree in religious education from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. She lives in suburban New Jersey with her husband David and with Ivan, the black lab left behind as the kids moved on to adventurous adult lives.
	Dr. Ruth Westheimer Author of Roller Coaster Grandma, Leopold, and Crocodile, You're Beautiful Dr. Ruth K. Westheimer is a therapist who pioneered speaking frankly about intimate matters on radio. She began in September of 1980 as the host of a fifteen minute, taped show that aired Sundays after midnight. One year later she had a live, one-hour show on which Dr. Ruth, as she became known, answered call-in questions from listeners. Her unique and open style allowed her to communicate effectively through almost every avenue available and in addition to radio, her television career spanned both broadcast and cable, books, newspapers, games, home video, and computer software. Dr. Westheimer has two children, four grandchildren and resides in New York City.
	Erica Wovsaniker Author of Maybe It Happened This Way and the upcoming *collection of Torah stories for children* Erica Wovsaniker is a religious school teacher at Congregation Or Shalom in Vernon Hills, Illinois. She has been a teacher for many years and an aspiring writer for many more. She graduated from Brandeis University, then got an MA in English from University of Illinois-Chicago and an MA in Divinity from the University of Chicago. She lives in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, with her husband, two children, and their dog.
	Bill Wurtzel Author of In Our Teeny Tiny Matzah House Bill Wurtzel is a visual artist who uses food as his medium. He is also a professional jazz guitarist, so improvising even with food comes naturally. Bill was honored in 2021 by the JCC Manhattan’s Wechsler Center and FORWARD. Bill had a career as an advertising creative director and has won over 200 awards. Bill and his wife Claire conducted workshops for thousands of children and families using food art to make it fun to learn about nutrition. They also co-authored "Funny Food", "Funny Food Made Easy" (Rizzoli) and "Foodie Faces"(Little Brown) Bill's work has been exhibited in the U.S. and abroad. Bill is a director of the Jazz Foundation of America. http://www.funnyfoodart.com
	Claire Wurtzel Author of In Our Teeny Tiny Matzah House Claire Wurtzel has been an educator for over 40 years, helping teachers work effectively with students who struggle with learning and/or behavior challenges. Claire was on the faculty of the American Museum of Natural History as well as Bank Street Graduate School, where she taught and chaired the Department of Special Education. Claire also worked with administrators, parents, psychologists, librarians, and museum educators, and continues to train teachers both nationally and internationally. Claire is Co-Educational Director of Hidden Sparks, an organization that supports teachers in Jewish Day Schools in the U.S. and Israel. https://www.hiddensparks.org
	Jane Yolen Author/Illustrator of the upcoming Mighty Micah Jane Yolen is the award-winning author of more than 430 books for children and adults, including the How Do Dinosaurs...? series, Owl Moon, and The Devil's Arithmetic.. She is also as an esteemed poet and essayist. Her book of Holocaust poems KADDISH won last year's Sophie Brodie Medal and the next day she won the Sydney Taylor Lifetime Achivement Award. She currently splits her time between Western Massachusetts, Mystic Ct., and Scotland. Visit her online at janeyolen.com.
	Jane Breskin Zalben Author/Illustrator of Light Jane Breskin Zalben is the author-artist for many books, including Saturday Night at the Beastro, which she created with her husband, Steven. She lives in Long Island, New York.
	Doni Zasloff Co-Author of Sing-Along Alef Bet Doni Zasloff (Mama Doni) is an award winning singer, songwriter, and author. Her CDs and DVDs include Hanukkah Fever, Shabbat Shaboom, and Mama Doni's Jewish Holiday Party, and she also co-authored the book Get Cooking! Doni is a beloved presence on stage and tours regularly nationwide