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May 20, 2004
What to do?
When Ariel died, I sat shiva. I said Kaddish. I'm still saying Kaddish, just about a month left. Gosh, how I dread not saying the Kaddish for Ariel. It will be a gaping abyss in my davening. I arranged to learn Torah with several Chavrusahs in Ariel's memory. But nothing seems to be enough. Several months before Ariel died, he and I had a long conversation about books. Most of all Ariel loved to learn Torah. But he also liked to read novels. He adored Jane Austen. The mad shidduch making in Pride and Prejudice brought a big smile to his face. Ariel also loved the Harry Potter series. A triumph of good writing, beautiful plotting and traditional values over the cynical, degraded trends of much in children's publishing. On Ariel's bookshelves rest about forty novels written by Avi. The problem, said Ariel, is that there are not enough novels written specifically for observant Jewish kids. Dad, he said, you should start a publishing company. Publish fiction that is of the highest quality, yet is also suitable for kids who hold Torah values. And so, to honor Ariel and his wonderful idea Karen and I have founded Seraphic Press. We have four superb novels in various stages of development and expect to publish our first book, The Hebrew Kid and the Apache Maiden in January 2005. It is the story of an observant Jewish boy in the Old West, his determination to celebrate his Bar Mitzvah, his friendship with the notorious gunfighter Doc Holliday, and his touching relationship with Lozen, a legendary Apache girl warrior. The book is a unique reimagining of the Wild West. To pay tribute to Ariel, The Hebrew Kid's name is... Ariel.
Posted by Robert J. Avrech at May 20, 2004 05:23 PM
Comments
Seraphic Secret is private property, that's right, it's an extension of our home, and as such, Karen and I have instituted two Seraphic Rules and we ask commentors to act respectfully.
1. No profanity.2. No Israel bashing. We debate, we discuss, we are respectful. You know what Israel bashing is. The world is full of it. Seraphic Secret is one of the few places in the world that will not tolerate this form of anti-Semitism. That's it. Break either of these rules and you will be banned.
Karen and Robert,
Random surfing brought me to your blog.
My initial delight and curiousity was quickly shattered.
I remember contacting you years ago with congrats on your work. And then I placed you back into the archives where you've quietly continued to exist in fond memories.
The enormity of your loss is beyond my capacity to understand. Or,more accurately, I am too scared to imagine myself in your position.
My words of sympathy couldn't possibly touch the depth of your pain.
Please know that I have resurfaced only to tell you that I am thinking of you and the loss of your son Ariel... may his memory become a healing blessing for you.
T
Posted by: Gerald Tepler at June 9, 2005 10:03 PM