MSI Press Blog

  (The divine works in mysterious ways. I was looking at the mountains this morning. I don't know exactly what I was looking for, but I thought that was the place to look. And then this came up in my memories. It was the first piece I had published in a newspaper following the book [ A Theology for the Rest of Us ]. Besides the comforting thought, I had the distinct impression the divine was stifling a laugh.) When young children are hurt or sad, they want a kiss to make it better. Or a hug. Yes, hugs can work well, too. And ice cream. Ice cream is the best. As adults, however, we know that whatever the injury or problem, kissing it is not going to make anything better. It is ironic that there is so much pop psychology advice that, especially in times of crisis, we need to connect with our inner child. Idyllic notions of childhood aside, the truth is that childhood is often about feeling powerless and ever so small. There is a reason why children are so taken with dinosaurs. Dinosa

  The following excerpt comes from One Family: Indivisible (Greenebaum) One thing I always felt as a child was safe. My parents and indeed my grandparents and my sister all helped to make me feel warm, loved, and totally secure. That all disappeared at dinner one evening in one, horrible, life-changing moment. I’m guessing I was about six, maybe seven — whatever the age is when a child’s mind begins to register what people are actually talking about.             Something may have happened in the news that day. But for whatever reason, the Holocaust was discussed at dinner. I’m sure the topic must have come up before, but this was the first time that it registered. With all children, I think you can tell them things when they are quite young and those things simply don’t compute. Then one day it suddenly makes sense. For me, this was that day. Six million Jews, exterminated. Two out of three in Europe (where’s Europe?). One out of three on the planet! Gone. Murdered. Stepped on like

  Just out, this week! If you have been waiting for the e-book version to read Since Sinai , you are now in luck! For more posts on Shannon and her book, click HERE .                                      Sign up for the MSI Press LLC newsletter                           Follow MSI Press on  Twitter ,  Face Book , and  Instagram .

  It's here!!!! After five months of waiting on pre-order, orders are being fulfilled, and Shannon Gonyou's fascinating journey into Judaism is now available everywhere great books are sold! Already selling in the top 1% of books on Amazon ! Get it at our webstore and save 25% with the coupon code FF25. Description:  Raised in a heavily Catholic suburb of Detroit, Michigan, Shannon grew up focusing on two things: how to do enough good deeds to get into heaven and how to stay pure enough to escape hell. In college, she followed many of her peers into an Evangelical church known for guitars, drum, religious-based shame, and the idea that without Jesus she was nothing. But when she encountered Judaism on that same campus, a spark ignited within her and refused to be put out. Judaism felt obvious, familiar. After a falling out with her biological mother and two miscarriages, she found the courage to send the most important email of her life: she asked the local Jews by Choice progr

Shannon is a practicing attorney, Jewish content writer, and convert to Judaism. She is affiliated with the Conservative Judaism movement.  She is the author of Since Sinai . A Michigan native, she now lives in New York City with her family. Read more posts about Shannon and her book HERE .

  To be released June 15:  Since Sinai: A Convert's Path to Judaism by Shannon Gonyou For more posts on Jewish topics, click HERE . _________________________________ MSI Press  website . MSI Press  wiki page .

  photo includes Princess Muna of Jordan (mother of King Abdullah) in the center and Dr. Betty Leaver, MSI Press editor, second from the right; others - members of a visiting delegation We are happy tp provide you with a taste of the Middle East. Each of the books below contains nuggets and insights that are hard to find elsewhere -- written by the residents of the Middle East. Follow the links to more information. Damascus amid the War by Muna Imady Written by popular author, Muna Imady, whose book, Syrian Folktales, has delighted an uncountable number of readers outside of Syria, Damascus amid the War tells the very human story of the devolution of a society. The book containts 29 pre-war poins, vibrant with imagery of daily life in a robust Damascus. The 100 war poems that follow show the devastating affect on the people who navigate a daily existence after war came. This is a posthumous publication, containing Muna’s very last works and an introduction by her mother, Elaine Imady,