The Village Feasts by Izzy Abrahmson - #BookReview

 

Welcome to Chelm! Welcome to the village of fools. Eighty households and farms, a few dirt roads, more chickens than people, and a wealth of love, lore, misadventures and often silliness.

You may wonder, where exactly is Chelm? It's not that no one knows, it's just hard to explain. On the edge of the Black Forest, somewhere between Russia and Poland, and occasionally Germany. If you travel through Smyrna chances are good you'll get lost, and maybe end up in the village of Chelm.

There, you will rub elbows with Reb Stein the baker, the Gold family, Doodle the orphan, Rabbi Kibbitz and Mrs. Chaipul, and of course, the Schlemiels...

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Ten tasty Passover tales adults and children of all ages will enjoy again and again. Delightful and amusing. Who’s knocking at the door? What is cabbage matzah? Where was Rabbi Kibbitz? Why are they always arguing? When will we eat? And how will Mrs. Chaipul save The Village?

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In this lighthearted and humorous selection of stories lies some real gems of Jewish folklore. They are all based around the Passover festival and would be wonderful and timely to share during the week of pesach.

My favourite story of the ten was Chiri Bim / Chiri Bom. I laughed all the way through this particular story, and I think both adults and children alike would enjoy it. 

The remaining nine stories are similarly laced with cultural humour with multiple references to food, language and tradition. There is a useful glossary at the back of the book for readers who are unfamiliar with some of the terminology surrounding the festival.

Although the stories are based around the Jewish festival of Passover, these stories would appeal to everyone for their funny fairy tale quality.

ISBN: 978 1940060453

Publisher: Light Publications

Format: paperback and e-book

No. of pages: 104 (paperback)

(book courtesy of NetGalley)

About the Author:

Izzy Abrahmson is an old soul with modern sensibilities. His stories of The Village Life have been published in books, newspapers and magazines around the world.

Although shy by nature, Izzy loves to tell stories and play improvised klezmer harmonica.

His performances of tales  have been enjoyed by adults, children and families of all ages at festivals and celebrations in the United States, Ireland, England, The Netherlands, Austria and France. 

Izzy Abrahmson is also a pen name for author and storyteller Mark Binder, who  lives in Providence and tours the world… virtually and in-person.

(photo and bio info from the author's website?)