If Ever There Was a Time to Reach, Teach And Inspire,
It Would Be The High Holidays.

For the third time in two years, we are offering a new work that will bring renewed dimensions of understanding and inspiration to people who are seeking to expand and deepen their relationship to Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur.

The Rosh Hashanah Machzor with commentary culled from the teachings of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik zt”l, is the second volume in a truly momentous series. For over half a century, Rabbi Soloveitchik was one of the most influential figures in American Jewry and for decades he delivered an annual series of lectures related to virtually every aspect of the High Holidays; their themes, prayers and inner meaning.

Last year, K’hal Publishing, in cooperation with the Orthodox Union, published the Kasirer Edition Mesoras HaRav: Yom Kippur Machzor with commentary drawn from Rabbi Soloveithchik’s teachings. The Kasirer Yom Kippur Machzor reached the four corners of the world.

In cooperation with Robert Kasirer of Los Angeles, California, who through his generosity has endowed the Kasirer Edition volumes to the honor and memory of loved ones, The Afikim Foundation has participated in the dissemination of the volume to college campus minyanim nationwide, at no charge.

This year, K’hal Publishing, in cooperation with the Orthodox Union, introduces the Kasirer Edition Mesoras HaRav: Rosh HaShanah Machzor, which will be available August of 2007. Together with the Yom Kippur Machzor, these works are clearly destined to become classics.

Furthermore, The Afikim Foundation and K’hal Publishing have produced Inspiring Days; a collection of essays from a wide range of many of today’s most inspiring voices in the world of education and outreach. These essays speak with eloquence to Jews of all backgrounds, from those with only minimal Jewish knowledge, to those in search of fresh new perspectives on the spiritual essence of the holidays.

To reach, teach and inspire: For the High Holidays, we have expanded the bookshelf of opportunity for inspiration. (And there is plenty more to come in the years ahead.)

Copies of the Kasirer Edition Mesoras HaRav Machzorim can be purchased at a 20% discount online at www.afikimfoundation.org/store; click on High Holidays. Or call us toll free at 1-866-AFIKIM-9 to place your order.

A Truly Great Teacher For Tu B’Shvat

A truly great teacher: knows a good deal about the subject, conveys knowledge in a pleasing, easy-to-understand manner, and is readily available to the student. Our new Tu B’Shvat poster, therefore, qualifies. It shares a harvest of information on the meaning and importance of Tu B’Shvat, acts as a simple guide to the blessings for food, provides sections about the seven fruits of Israel mentioned in the Torah – and, as do all of Afikim’s teaching aids, offers lessons about life from our sages. Plus, it does so in a beautiful form, worthy of a holiday that honors the great bounties we receive from trees. And, finally because it’s a poster, it’s in front of the “students” in your home (or classroom) 24/7.

Shedding A Little Light On Chanukah Chanukah: The Gift of Inspiration

And, a lot of color as well: 16 pages of Shimon Apisdorf at his best, providing you with an understanding of the key elements that make Chanukah, Chanukah. Our handy-sized booklet’s quick overview takes you through the history of Chanukah, guides gful for the whole family.

To order a copy go to www.afikimfoundation.org/store and click on Chanukah.

And, While We’re At It, A Lot More Light: Inspiring Lights

This second volume, edited by Shimon Apisdorf in our “Inspiring” series, is a beautiful book containing 18 poetic and thoughtful chapters from 16 inspirational authors. Unless we miss our guess, you’ll be moved by the evocative writing in “Chanukah Echoes in the Garden of Eden”, “The Unique Relationship of Jewish Women to Chanukah”, the “Mystical Dimension of Chanukah”– and much more.

To order a copy go to www.afikimfoundation.org/store and click on Chanukah.

The Soul Diet: A Diet Book Unlike Any Other

Amazon.com sells over 10,000 diet books a day, and at any given moment, about sixty million Americans are on a diet. And then came The Soul Diet.

At Afikim, we are always in search of innovative ideas for bringing the light and inspiration of Jewish wisdom to Jews who think that Judaism simply has nothing relevant to say to their lives. The Soul Diet is an outstanding resource that achieves that objective in a beautiful, practical and highly accessible fashion. Rabbi Yitzchak Goldman has authored a unique book that shows people how to control, reduce and eliminate the spiritually detrimental affects of life in our media saturated, hyper- technology driven culture. Far from a quick fix, this book is for the serious dieter who wants to achieve a transformation to metaphysical health. The Afikim Foundation is launching a campaign to bring The Soul Diet to as wide an audience as possible. We are confident that for many Jews this book will be an eye-opening portal into a world of Jewish insight they never knew existed.

We are currently offering the book at a special discount of 25% off retail price.To order your copy, visit www.afikimfoundation.org/store and click on Self Help.

Understanding The Mitzvah of Mezuzah

Talented author and illustrator, Gary Sternberg, known for his Jewish Life Series, has developed a high-quality series of mitzvah presentations. The first publication in the series, “Mezuzah. The Mitzvah of Mezuzah Made Simple!” is the ultimate “how-to” guide. This visually beautiful, glossy, highend booklet describes the what, how, and why of the mitzvah of mezuzah on a level every Jew can understand and appreciate.

“Mezuzah” is also the perfect guide for those with little or no experience with the mezuzah. It includes an overview of the observance of mezuzah and simple-to-follow instructions for putting up a mezuzah. And if you want the ideal companion gift when presenting someone with a mezuzah, Gary’s stunning work is it. And that’s the emes!

The Afikim Foundation assisted Gary Sternberg in distributing this guide nationwide and the initial response was tremendous. Institutions have distributed it at their dinners, and schools have utilized it as a learning tool. It is a must-read for every home.

We are offering this publication at a 50% discount to our supporters. To order your copy, go to www.afikimfoundation.org/store, and click on Practice.

Job Well Done!

The “Bar Mitzvah and Synagogue Guide for People who Aren’t Exactly Sure What’s Going On” is a 16-pager by Rabbi Shimon Apisdorf (does he ever rest?) with one task. Enlighten people who are unsure of what’s going on about Bar Mitzvah, Shabbat, Prayer and the Synagogue itself. Divided into two sections, each with 13 questions and 13 answers, our booklet guides people to a more meaningful and inspiring Judaic experience. If it were a person, we’d give it a raise!

To order your copy of The Thirteen Questions, to go www.afikimfoundation.org/store and click on Practice.

Back to Summer 2007 Newsletter highlights