Shlucha Writes Her First Novel

By COLlive staff

The Secret of Carlos Romanus is filled with plot twists and adventure that will keep young readers turning pages. It is historical fiction that makes history come to life and will be a welcome addition in all libraries.

Written by Mrs. Esther Kosofsky, the book is based upon a story her father, Rabbi Dovid Edelman, of blessed memory, would tell her and her siblings when they would sit together around the Pesach Seder table.

“The Passover season was an especially busy time in our household”, remarked Kosofsky. “In addition to the holiday preparations, my father would travel all over Western Massachusetts delivering shmura matzah to families for their Passover seder.”

“Now thinking back it is so meaningful to me that my father took the time to share this amazing story with my siblings and me, while he dedicated the same time to communal life.”

Kosofsky’s dream was to put this story on paper as a legacy to her father, who dedicated over 65 years of his life as Shliach of the Rebbe in Western Massachusetts, and a way to inspire the young generation about Judaism.

“As an educator, I believe that we must reach our students through many different models,” remarked Esther. “In writing this book based on a story my father told me I have combined my love of teaching, my father’s values and an education tool.”

The book, published by Hachai Publishing, is set in the 17th century and takes readers through Spain and Amsterdam. The adventurer, Moshe Levi is full of hope and excitement as he sets sail from Amsterdam on his very first business trip.

With his father gone, it is up to this hardworking boy to support his mother and his two younger siblings. When Moshe unexpectedly finds himself in Spain, a country in which Jews must hide their faith, the boy must rely on his wits and his bravery.

“On his adventure, Moshe Levi is able to instill Jewish values of kindness and concern to all that he meets,” remarked Kosofsky. “This is also how my father lived his life.”

“I am excited about the many ways that The Secret of Carlos Romanus may be used in the classroom. The fast-paced adventure is a great read-aloud book in lower elementary classes and historical novel to use as a class trade book or individual book report in upper elementary classes,” said Kosofsky.

“I am gratified by the positive feedback I have received so far about the book, I hope that many children will enjoy the adventure and the underlying message of faith and hope,” she added.

Kosofsky, a graduate of Beth Rivkah High School and Teachers Seminary in Brooklyn, NY, is a Chabad Shlucha in Western Massachusetts and has worked for over 15 years at the Lubavitcher Yeshiva Academy (LYA) in Longmeadow.

She is the past director of the Resource Center for Jewish Education, a program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. She and her husband, Rabbi Noach Kosofsky, are the proud parents of nine children and are very much enjoying being grandparents.

This is her first published book and it is available in Jewish bookstores and on Amazon.com