It’s no secret that we at hadassah Magazine are obsessed with books. But it’s not often that we devote nearly a whole issue to the subject, highlighting a diverse range of works that represent many facets of the Jewish story. And what a rollercoaster story we are living through these days!

So, as Jewish Book Month approaches (the month leading up to Hanukkah, which this year begins the evening of December 14), we start with some basics. Ilana Kurshan describes how, from the youngest age, “Sacred and secular texts give texture to our lives”, and we close with our annual roundup of outstanding children’s literature, including a story about Fanny Goldstein, the Boston librarian who created Jewish Book Week, the precursor to the monthlong celebration.

In between, our pages feature a profile by Gary Rosenblatt of Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, one of America’s most influential spiritual leaders and the author of a new memoir, as well as the journey of female scribes writing new editions of perhaps the most important book of all—the Torah scroll. 

We bring you self-help books that combine wellness and Jewish texts; a cookbook with fried Greek delights perfect for Hanukkah; and, of course, a whole section of book reviews that includes an interview with the iconic John Irving. You’ll be delighted by the story behind his latest novel, which will be of special interest to our Hadassah readers.

Along the way, you’ll learn tales of the Jews of the Silk Road in our travel piece on Uzbekistan, Georgia and Armenia, and you can try your hand at our Hanukkah-themed crossword puzzle.

Many books already have been written about October 7, 2023, and its aftermath, several featured in past issues of the magazine, and many more will surely follow in the months and years to come. For now, we are continuing to bask in the joy of the return of the living hostages and the presumed end of the war in Gaza.

Yet there is still much uncertainty ahead for Israel, as Uriel Heilman writes in “Finding a Way Back to Normal” . But the reflections and strength of Rachel Goldberg-Polin, whose son, Hersh, was murdered by Hamas, continue to inspire us, as they have for the past two years.

Even amid the questions about what’s next for Israel and the Jewish people, there is much to be thankful for as we approach Thanksgiving and Hanukkah. That includes the Jewish joy and pride that have spread, sometimes to the most unlikely places.

Some of that joy is found in our annual gift guide, filled with many delightful gems, including ways to further enrich your reading.

On behalf of the entire magazine staff, I wish you Happy Thanksgiving, Happy Hanukkah and, in the spirit of this issue, Happy Reading!