New Book Release: Conversion, Intermarriage, and Jewish Identity

Conversion, Intermarriage, and Jewish Identity by Robert S. Hirt, Adam Mintz, and Marc Stein, eds.

Conversion has always been a contentious matter within the Jewish community. In Israel, the US and elsewhere, the issue has caused major divisions between different sectors of the Jewish world. Other than some Conservative congregations, and the Orthodox communities, most Jews in the US are moving away from opposition to intermarriage. Meanwhile, Israel faces a major dilemma in relation to its post-Soviet immigrants, many of whom are of questionable Halachic Jewish status.

While discussion regarding conversion and intermarriage has its roots in the 19th century and early 20th century, it has become a topic of urgency in this generation.

New Book Release: Warped Perceptions

Warped Perceptions by Sandra Sookoo

Feelings don’t matter when destiny is a complicated and muddy sort of thing.

Charlotte Jackson doesn’t enjoy commanding a ship but does it out of duty. Then her life goes as unstable as a supernova when her ship—the Copernicus—is visited by a blue-haired alien who calls himself Garreth.

Jericho—Jax—Revels is determined to captain his own ship as well as keep Charlotte from destroying hers. While he can’t understand why she listens to feelings more than facts, he has a soft spot in his heart for the pretty captain. All that changes into fierce protection once an alien disables their shields and transports himself onto their ship.

Supreme Commander Garreth Wallace is on a mission to save his people. He wants to build an alliance with Earth to improve the dire problems of both their planets. Yet, even though he’s married with a family on his own planet, he can’t deny the lust he feels for Charlotte. If only she’d ditch her unspoken desire for her second-in-command.

When the Copernicus is attacked by the very beings Garreth wants to save Earth from, Charlotte and Jax will have to bank their feelings and focus on saving not only themselves but the entire planet. What the three find amidst the chaos could be the most valuable commodity of all.

New Book Release: The Torah Encyclopedia of the Animal Kingdom

The Torah Encyclopedia of the Animal Kingdom, vol. 1 by R. Natan Slifkin

The Torah Encyclopedia of the Animal Kingdom is a complete reference to animals in the Torah, Talmud and Midrash. Complete with stunning, full-color photographs, it includes:

• Entries on every mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, insect and fish found in the Torah, Prophets and Writings;
• All scriptural citations, and a vast range of sources from the Talmud and Midrash;
• Detailed analyses of the identities of these animals, based on classical Jewish sources and contemporary zoology;
• The symbolism of these animals in Jewish thought throughout the ages;
• Zoological information about these animals and fascinating facts;
• Studies of man's relationship with animals in Torah philosophy and law;
• Lessons that Judaism derives from the animal kingdom for us to use in our own daily lives;
• Laws relating to the various different animals.

The Torah Encyclopedia of the Animal Kingdom is an invaluable reference work that will be commonplace in homes and educational institution.