"So what are you doing alone in a police station in the middle of the night?" David asked.
   "You wouldn't understand," Anna said.
   "Try me." (p. 68)

When Anna Rosenfeld writes a college philosophy paper, she never expects it to jeopardize her relationship with her grandfather, Avram, or leave her alone and afraid on the streets of Minneapolis. Help comes in the form of Rabbi David Cohen, spiritual leader of Avram’s synagogue, who is struggling with his own personal demons amidst difficulties with both his family and his congregation.

Trained in both psychology and Talmudic argument, and armed with his faith in God, David must help Anna and Avram face the real issue that divides them before time runs out. Set against the backdrop of Tisha b’Av – a time of mourning commemorating multiple instances of causeless hatred – they bring together their memories and experiences as they confront evil itself and answer a cry for help that no one expected.

Sheyna Galyan holds a degree in psychology from the University of California at Santa Cruz and a counseling certificate and work in business administration from San Jose State University. She has also done graduate work in elementary education at the University of Minnesota. Sheyna has worked as a counselor, consultant, journalist, and Jewish educator. She lives with her husband and children in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she is currently at work on the next Rabbi David Cohen novel. You can read Sheyna's blog here or visit her website at sheyna.galyan.com.

 

Reviews

“...should read.”
American Jewish World

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