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Jewish Luck Blog

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Meryll

How we selected our cover design

Meryll
Tuesday, 12 November 2013
Jewish Luck Blog
Jewish Luck Book Cover image  When we consulted with Scott Edelstein about the steps from written manuscript to published book, he patiently explained the complicated world of publishing and concluded with an introduction to the equally complex world of self-publishing.  Both Leslie and I remembered one particular nugget of advice—if you want to be in control, self-publishing is the route to go. That characterizes Leslie and me.  We love control! We wanted input into every phase of our book – particularly, the cover.  We batted around a lot of cover design ideas between us, usually incorporating a photo of Vera and Alisa.  Neither of us is a designer and, finally, we decided we needed professional intervention.  How do you find a good designer?  I thought it would be like finding a good hairdresser. You look at others’ haircuts and asked, “who did it?”  It’s not quite that simple because we also wanted a local designer....
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cover design Cathy Spengler self-publishing
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Leslie

Jewish Luck on Amazon

Leslie
Friday, 08 November 2013
Jewish Luck Blog
amazonBelow is the description of Jewish Luck on Amazon.com Jewish Luck recounts the intertwined stories of two women who—in their struggles against the anti-Semitism and patriarchy of the Soviet regime and the rebranded “New” Russia—succeed by creating their own luck. Their sisterhood is kindled when Vera and Alisa grudgingly line up to register for classes at the Institute that produced experts in Marxist-Leninist economics, a field on its way to extinction. For the next three decades, Vera and Alisa fight for their dreams of self-expression and status. To do so they must deprogram their minds of Soviet theory and learn the new language of a free market economy. After Vera dares to approach author Leslie Adler on a Leningrad corner in 1976, a forbidden friendship is formed. Leslie becomes Vera’s confidante and link to the West. With help from her Minneapolis connections, Vera builds a successful business in Russia despite her disdain for her...
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Meryll

Mandelbrot--the updated version

Meryll
Friday, 25 October 2013
Jewish Luck Blog
We imagined our grandma hovering lovingly above us as we worked.  We also imagined what would happen if our grandmother conversed with Vera and Alla's grandmothers. We knew that our grandma would prepare treats and tea no matter what the conversation. Below is an updated version of her mandelbrot.  See the deleted chapters for the imagined conversation that might accompany these treats.  I converted the recipe so that you would not lose a filling. Mandelbrot—Updated version: Chocolate Shot Biscotti 2 eggs1 cup canola oil1 cup sugar 2 cups all purpose flour1 teaspoon baking powder1/2 teaspoon salt 4 ounces chocolate shot (jimmies, sprinkles)6 ounces slivered almonds, chopped1 teaspoon vanilla cinnamon and sugar Beat eggs, oil, and sugar until well mixed. Add flour, baking powder and salt and continue to beat with mixer until dough is smooth. Add chocolate shot, almonds, and vanilla. Chill dough at least 8 hours. Form into rolls (like play-doh snakes) and place on...
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Leslie

The Inspiration for the book, Jewish Luck

Leslie
Monday, 21 October 2013
Jewish Luck Blog
When I was twenty-four, I went to a fortuneteller who traced the lines in my palm to inform me that I would marry, have children, travel extensively and live into my eighties. What she did not foresee, and neither did I, was that my dear friend Vera, whom I met in Leningrad in 1976, would remain in my life forever. She did not mention that our sons would be friends and that I would have the pleasure of observing the love grow between her son, Lev, and his future wife, Lauren. To stand on Seven Mile Beach in the Cayman Islands and witness the wedding of Vera's son and daughter-in-law thirty-four years after we met seemed nothing short of a miracle. It brought back the astounding lifetime planning that Vera and her best friend Alisa had done to force open the iron gate. For me and my contemporaries, the age of...
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memoir writing a memoir co-writing
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Recent Blogs

Leslie
Leslie
28 June 2020
Earthquake
Wearily, I don my mask, my gloves for the weekly drive from my Minneapolis home to my suburban office to collect my mail. My footsteps echo in the empty hall. The calendar is still turned to March 2020 which means I have spent less than three months in this space that does not yet feel like my own. The March calendar photo of Little Paradise, New Zealand reminds me of my visit to an exquisite plac...
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Leslie
Leslie
07 April 2019
Mirror, Mirror
The date- April 15, 2018.The place- Minneapolis. The weather-15 inches of snow due to fall by the end of this day. The dilemma—Do I move the gilded mirror measuring 39" by 54" and weighing over 40 pounds from my sister's house to ours?I had delayed responding to the question—do I want this family heirloom—for a year and now Meryll was moving the next day.This forty pound heirloom seemed so much we...
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Leslie
Leslie
26 May 2018
The Regina Monologue or Feh! on Calling Me A Black Widow
When my mother was 8 years old, she had a "grandmother" for just over a year, the only grandmother she remembers.How did this happen? Grandfather Emil, a widower, lived with her family until 1937 when he was introduced to a "nice widow." Thirteen months after his wedding, Emil died at the age of 59.Cause of death? "Overfeeding by Regina," my mother said.Mom was sure that Regina was a " black ...
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Invite Us To Speak

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We were featured speakers at Hadassah Brandeis Institute and Levy Summer Series. Our speaking engagements include JCCs, synagogues, libraries, book groups, retirement communities, schools, and organizations (e.g. ORT, Hadassah, and Women's League). References are available. 

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Upcoming Events

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Talk Review

"I was very fortunate to be able to hear Meryll and Leslie speak at a Hadassah event in Israel. Each of the ~50 participants really enjoyed the event because Meryll and Leslie were so engaging. While they had a natural rapport with the audience, you could also tell they had prepared well so they could connect with our particular group's interests. I learned a lot from listening to them, and I found their sisterly interaction unique and fun. If you want an enlightening and uplifting experience, attend one of their book talks."
Lisa Shimoni, Modiin Israel

Book Review

"Truly, you have written a story that makes accessible the reality of existence in Russia, through the eyes of individuals who lived through the various regimes and dictates.  It is fascinating and very well told.  As I read Vera and Alla's story, I learned more Russian history than I had known from a textbook.  That's a big deal, women!  You tell the tale with vivid detail and hook us on the two women and their stories, then weave in the history to illuminate their journeys. It is such a necessary book.  I am thrilled that the two of you collaborated, as I can see the uniqueness of your personalities come through in the stories, and that, too, makes the book a gem."
Margaret Leibfried, Danielson Group consultant

Buy the Book

Online:

Click here to order your copy of Jewish Luck: A True Story of Friendship, Deception, and Risky Business on Amazon.com.

The Kindle version is available here

In Stores:
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Make a donation to Sholom Home and enjoy Jewish Luck at the same time. Jewish Luck is now available at the Sholom Home West gift store. Meryll and Leslie will donate 50% of the proceeds back to Sholom Home. Enjoy!

Tasting Torah

Nourish mind, body, and soul with Meryll's Tasting Torah, which will bring oneg (joy) and limmud (learning) to your Shabbat, broaden your culinary horizons, and draw your Shabbat guests closer together.

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Highlighted Books

Meryll
Meryll
02 July 2017
July Book of the Month:  Bloodlines by Neville Frankel
July Book of the Month: Bloodlines by Neville Frankel
Leslie and I began writing Jewish Luck with an underlying question in our minds—what would life have...
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