Welcome to CHELM

A cornucopia of irrepressible characters awaits within The Wise Folk of Chelm to welcome you to Europe's most famous town of fools. All this, author Seymour Rossel explains, is to bring the Chelm tradition into the twenty-first century. For the past hundred years, most Chelm stories have been published for children though only a handful of the tales are child-appropriate. It is no great surprise that the same few stories regularly reappear while many of the best of the stories-those that have amused and bemused adults since the seventeenth century-largely go unseen.

For a decade, Rossel has combed the traditional Yiddish, Hebrew, and English canons of Chelm stories. He has turned up fascinating research on the origins of Chelm. He has experimented with telling the stories in so many ways to so many different groups that colleagues have taken to calling him "the "Houstoner Maggid,"" which loosely translates as "the parable-maker from Houston." Indeed, it has been said--mainly by his wife and children--and with some justification--that he knows his way around Chelm better than around Houston.

The Wise Folk of Chelm is Rossel's new vision of the classic tales. First, the new heroes and heroines you will want to meet... Second, new streets to walk with them, new cafes and shops wherein to laugh with them, and new chances to attend the flamboyant, ever-surprising deliberations of Chelm's town council... Third, Rossel serves up a new kind of narrative that begs to be read out loud. He calls it "narrative slapstick" or "slapstick narrative." You'll call it entertainment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"The Wise Folk of Chelm is a delightful foray into the topsy-turvy world of the men and women of Chelm. A sweet, modern telling that will rekindle fond memories for those who grew up with the stories and bring smiles and laughter to those who have never before encountered Chelm." -- Bob Alper, rabbi and standup comic, author of "Life Doesn't Get Any Better Than This" and "A Rabbi Confesses"

Revised Second Edition

Dreams and vision in the Bible come at moments of transition and transformation, renewal and rededication. Though they are bound to biblical heroes and heroines, Bible dreams are also public: meant to serve the needs of readers, reflecting dreams all of us experience in our own spiritual quests.

The author applies traditional interpretations alongside insights from anthropology, psychology, archaeology, dream research, philosophy, and science. Explore the mid-life crisis in Abraham's dreams; trials of separation, estrangement, job loss, death, divorce in Jacob's dreams; gifts of vision and prophecy in Joseph's dreams; and more.

In the Preface, former Associate Director of Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Eugene J. Fisher, writes: "This is not 'grocery store spirituality' or 'new age mysticism.' This is the real stuff. Here, the Bible itself speaks to each of us to address our deeper concerns, anxieties, and hopes -- the deeper fears and visions that we admit to ourselves only in our dreams, when we sleep and lay ourselves open to the quiet whisperings of the Spirit of God who dwells in our hearts."

The Talmud warns: "A dream not interpreted is like a letter not read." If there is a lot of "D"-mail in your life going unanswered, this book may help you retrieve your messages.

Reviews of the First Edition

"A linguistic and exegetical treasure trove... It will open the eyes of its readers to the spiritual information, self-examinations and guidance that are inherent in dreams. For several 'aha' moments, I recommend this book." -- Carole McDonnell, "Curled Up With a Good Book"

"Seymour Rossel now adds his name to that short list of authentic voices capable of speaking to the individual on behalf of the public and corporate religious world of the Torah. He writes for a broad audience of Jews and Christians .... with art and restraint, not relying on rhetoric to replace religious reality: encounter, authentic emotion making] the most intimate and private experience, the dream, into the raw material of social culture.... This he has done through the force of intellect and the power of rigorous thought." -- Jacob Neusner, "National Jewish Post and Opinion"

"Dream interpretation is not solely the province of Hollywood screenwriters, Freudians and New-Agers ... Rossel discusses] dream interpretation as serving a public function giving] techniques and practices that will help readers ... get more out of their dreams." -- Holly Lebowitz Rossi, "The Forward"

"Written by a Rabbi with a commendation from the American Roman Catholic Church ... a popular exposition ...." -- "Journal for the Study of the Old Testament"

"Engagingly and informatively written ... a thoughtful and thought-provoking guide intended for Christians, Jews, and anyone else seeking to better understand and acquire a heightened spiritual awareness. A deeply spiritual outreaching, "Bible Dreams: The Spiritual Quest" is enthusiastically commended...." -- "Midwest Book Review"

The Jerusalem Post Financial Columnist explains HOW COME SOME PEOPLE ?MAKE IT? AND OTHERS DON?T? The author presents a solid overview of practical strategies for achieving financial success in the Israeli market. Writing in an easy-to-understand manner, Goldstein teaches his readers how to get their financial houses in order and how to create, step-by-step, long-term plans for their wealth. Special Guest Chapter on Taxation by Leon Harris, CPA, International Tax Partner, Ernst & Young, Israel