Izzy Abrahmson
Books, Storytelling & In-Person Shows with Warmth and Laughter
Izzy Abrahmson
books, storytelling and in-person shows with warmth and laughter
Izzy Abrahmson is the author of the Village Life series, which has been nominated for a National Jewish Book Award, and won the gold medal for best fiction audioboook from the IBPA. "Izzy" is also the pen name for Mark Binder.
“Abrahmson's prose savvily mixes the homey and the surreal…
He's a master” –Publishers Weekly
"The Lethal Latkes is not a murder mystery. It concerns some awful-tasting latkes (potato pancakes) and what you might call another Hanukkah miracle: love.”
– The New York Times
"Memorable characters in often hilarious situations.… Izzy and Mark bring good stories to audiences of all ages and experiences." –New Mexico Jewish Storytelling Festival
About
Izzy Abrahmson is the author of the Village Life series, which has been nominated for a National Jewish Book Award, and won the gold medal for best fiction audioboook from the IBPA."Izzy" is also the pen name for Mark Binder, an Audie-Award nominated storyteller.Between the two of them, they have written and recorded more than two-dozen books, and have performed on stage before hundreds of thousands on two continents, in seven (or eight) countries.Their latest novel is THE COUNCIL OF WISE WOMEN.The Village Life series began when Mark was working as the editor of a regional Jewish Newspaper. These stories have been published in books and magazines, and have been performed in New York, Boston, Dublin, Amsterdam, Vienna, at the Yiddish Book Center, London Jewish Book Week, and the Sneem Storytelling Festival.Izzy (and Mark) are engaging talk show guests, and have appeared around the world on stage and television, in festivals and podcasts.
Reviews of Work
For more than 30 years, Izzy Abrahmson has been delighting audiences, readers and listeners around the world.These are only a few of the good things people have to say…
"…a respite from the world of tumult and tribulation… a past filled with heart, humor, and genuine feeling." –The Times of Israel
"…steeped in Jewish history and heritage, the humor is universal and can be enjoyed by readers from all cultures. – Reedsy Discovery
Book Reviews
Gold Medal Winner IBPA Award for Best Audiobook
"The Lethal Latkes is not a murder mystery. It concerns some awful-tasting latkes (potato pancakes) and what you might call another Hanukkah miracle: love.”
– The New York Times
"joyful charm… troubled congregants… warm relationships, and the power of women… Abrahmson out does himself…"
– AudioFile Magazine
"Abrahmson's prose savvily mixes the homey and the surreal… He's a master"
–Publishers Weekly
" great fun and full of humour."
–Facts and Fiction (UK)
THE COUNCIL OF WISE WOMEN
"…[a] playful touch throughout, painting characters who leap off the page. Chelm’s wise women are delightful and perceptive, their conversations a joy to read… Charming testament to Jewish traditions and the power of women."
– Publishers Weekly
"Thoroughly enjoyable novel, both moving and astutely farcical.… The author combines slapstick wit with genuine literary inventiveness… a thoughtful reflection on the extraordinary pressures of domestic life that also does justice to its blessings…"
– Kirkus Reviews
"It made me laugh, it made me sad because of missed opportunities, and it made me feel warm and fuzzy inside.
… You can read this wonderful book as a comedy, as a coming-of-age story, as a family drama, or even as a romance. You don’t have to look for and think about the deeper themes, you will find plenty of pleasure in it."
–JewishBookWorld.org
"If you could use a respite from the world of tumult and tribulation, you would do well to spend a few hours in Izzy Abrahmson’s Chelm.… This Chelm is snuggled in an indeterminate past that never was but certainly should have been, a past filled with heart, humor, and genuine feeling.”
– The Times of Israel
Even More
Book Reviews
WINTER BLESSINGS
…"brings together traditional style Jewish storytelling and contemporary Chanukah traditions. The stories are propelled by a cast of entertaining and humorous characters…"
–AJL News and Reviews
"gentle tales… well worth a listen."
–USA Today Network
"…a delightful excursion this Chanukah… utterly charming…a large side order of whimsey… so right and so touching… This Chanukah, who could ask for anything more?…"The Village is snuggled in an indeterminate past that never was but certainly should have been, a past filled with love, humor, adventures and more than occasional misadventures. And when you go, be sure to bring the kids."
– The Times of Israel
"[Abrahmson's] stories are simple, but not simplistic – stories to tell each other, to read to each other after a shared family meal, stories for the very young, for the not so young, for kvelling grandparents. Stories that contain at least a hint of magic."
–Jewish Rhode Island Newspaper
THE VILLAGE FEASTS
"I read the book in one sitting and was laughing repeatedly… The short stories are witty, whimsical… Do you need to be Jewish to love these stories? No, you don't."
– Abe C. NetGalley
"…an entertaining comic celebration of Jewish life and tradition.… wryly funny with dollops of heartwarming schmaltz."
– Kirkus Reviews
"…charming…Readers young and old will be delighted… Abrahmson’s prose savvily mixes the homey and the surreal, and he’s a master of the cozy bedtime story. The Village Feasts, with its often silly phrasing and emphasis on ritual and community, demands to be read out loud, shared at a gathering or relished by little ones before bedtime, when sleepy eyelids are beginning to droop. A glossary in the endmatter is both helpful and comic."
– Publishers Weekly
THE VILLAGE TWINS
"wisdom in the guise of absurdity… Anyone who likes a good folk tale will delight in The Village Twins."
–The Jewish Independent
THE CRACKED POTTER
"…a lovely and warm story inspired by the author's experience as a pottery widower."
– Ceramics Now
Books and Audio
Read them in any order…
The Council of Wise Women
“A thoroughly enjoyable novel, both moving and astutely farcical.” – Kirkus ReviewsWinter Blessings
Hanukkahs in the Village. 10 Tales for all ages.The Village Twins
"Schlemiels in cyberspace… old-fashioned storytelling in a newfangled way." –The Providence JournalA Village Romance
“Village stories that deftly lift a curtain on a world of friendly humor and touching details of Jewish life.” – Kirkus ReviewsThe Village Feasts
Passovers in the village are never ordinary. Cabbage matzah, lead sinker knaidlach, and a world-record afikomen…The Cracked Potter - limited edition
Nava Ortlieb is new to the village. A warm story about making a living, making art, and making friends. NOT available on Amazon.The Tailor, the Scholar, and the Mensch - limited edition. The controversial best-seller! Yakov loves Doodle. Doodle loves Yakov! Doodle also loves Yakov's twin sister, Rachel. Rachel likes them both, but she doesn't want to get married. This works, how?
The Council of Wise Women
🥇Gold Medal IBPA Award for Best Fiction Audiobook🥇
“A thoroughly enjoyable novel, both moving and astutely farcical.” – Kirkus ReviewsThe award-winning magical novel about how an ordinary woman and her extraordinary daughter transform their community – with a little help from a secret societyWith a warm sense of humor, Izzy Abrahmson spins a delightful tale of The Village Life that will make you smile, and maybe shed a tear.“Abrahmson's prose savvily mixes the homey and the surreal… He's a master” – Publishers Weekly🥇
The Cracked Potter
Finalist Next Generation Indie Book Award for best Novel
The Cracked Potter is a humorous and heartwarming story about making a living, making art, and making friends."…a lovely and warm story inspired by the author's experience as a pottery widower." –Ceramics NowOn the edge of the Black Forest is a small village called Chelm. One day, a visitor arrives, covered with mud. Nava Ortlieb says she’s a potter and an artist. Shoshana Cantor isn’t so sure.…
"In the spirit of Sholem Aleichem… These stories of identical twins, confused from birth, will charm with their simplicity and sincerity." – AudioFileMeet Abraham and Adam Schlemiel, identical twins, born in The Village – and confused from birth!The Village Twins will make you laugh and smile, and perhaps shed a tear."…the mix-ups are many and the potential for laughter abundant" –Jewish Book World"Wired Words/Electric Prose" –Providence Phoenix420 pages • paperback • ebook
A Village Romance
“troubled congregants… warm relationships, and the power of women…”–Audiofile MagazineNew Love For Old Souls
She’s the caterer. He’s the rabbi.
They’ve known each other for years.
Finally, they’re getting together!“Rabbi Kibbitz and Mrs. Chaipul will almost certainly make you laugh – and might even cause you to shed a tear.” –Jewish Rhode Island
Winter Blessings
Finalist for the National Jewish Book Award for Family Literature!"The Lethal Latkes is not a murder mystery. It concerns some awful-tasting latkes (potato pancakes) and what you might call another Hanukkah miracle: love.” – The New York TimesWhether you spell it Hanukkah or Chanukah, you don’t need to be Jewish to enjoy Winter Blessings.Winters are crazy in The Village. Winds blow icy, food gets scarce, and darkness comes too soon.
But lights from holiday candles always lift the heart.
“… all cultural backgrounds will be entertained by these tales.” –School Library Journal
The Village Feasts
"…charming…Readers young and old will be delighted…Mrs. Chaipul refuses to cook.
The Gold family can’t afford matzah (unleavened bread).
Reb Stein, the baker wants to set a world record.
And why would anyone eat matzah made from cabbage?"Abrahmson’s prose savvily mixes the homey and the surreal, and he’s a master of the cozy bedtime story. The Village Feasts, with its often silly phrasing and emphasis on ritual and community, demands to be read out loud, shared at a gathering or relished by little ones before bedtime, when sleepy eyelids are beginning to droop. A glossary in the endmatter is both helpful and comic."
–Publishers Weekly
My life in Chelm
Storytelling and author talks
Tales from the Village Life
"…memorable characters in often hilarious situations… Izzy and Mark bring good stories to audiences of all ages and experiences"
–New Mexico Jewish Storytelling Festival
Contact Beth Hellman to discuss booking…
[email protected]
+1.401.272.8707
The Council of Wise Women
An author talk for book groups, adults. Readings, behind-the-scenes, question and answer – engaging and fun.What the Chelm? Stories of the Village Life
A program blending storytelling and song. Set list is based on the season and organizational needs.
Suitable for adults, families and children, this program adjusts by age group and by season or holiday.Winter Blessings - Chanukah in the Village
Humorous and warm tales to lift hearts and light smiles.My Life in Chelm (The Better Place) An author talk with storytelling, conversation,and a bit of music.. A joyful journey from foolishness to wisdom… and back.Wisdom Writing Workshop
How can we share wisdom? A lighthearted discussion followed by the opportunity to write about mistakes made, lessons learned, and the wise people in your life. (60-75 minutes)School Storytelling
Programs for all grades K-12 adjusted by age, season, and the needs of your community
Reviews of Programs
"He is a joy to work with and is wonderful for any type of program you are seeking to do. I look forward to having Izzy join us again for other programs in the future."
–Congregation Sha'aray Shalom
"Thanks so much for your excellent session at Jewish Book Week. Audience feedback has been absolutely lovely.… Your stories made [everyone] laugh and at the same time touched them because they’re full of goodwill"
–Jewish Book Week Detroit
"He certainly spread the joy of his ebullient personality, [and] brightened the day of all the ladies in attendance with clever funny stories and unexpected skill on the harmonica!
–Marshfield Senior Center
"A lively evening of fun, laughter, passion, wit, introspection, and tales to remember!
– Congregation Etz Chaim
Contact
Speaking and Performance Engagements
Beth Hellman [email protected]
+1.401.272.8707Publicity Contact for Books
Lou Pop, [email protected]
+1.401.753-8448
Media Kit & Bio
Izzy Abrahmson is the author of the award-winning Village Life series. He's also a pen name for Mark Binder, an Audie Award nominated storyteller, who tours the world transmitting joy through story to diverse audiences of all ages.The Village Life began when Mark was working as the editor of a regional Jewish Newspaper. Excerpts and stories have been published in books, newspapers and magazines, and performed around the world.
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