A New Novel by
Rabbi
Rain Zohav

As strange as it sounds, having long-haul Covid is definitely one of the contributing factors of me writing this book. If I had been able to get out in the world more after the lockdown ended, I may never have taken on this project.

In addition, I want to acknowledge my iPhone. Since I am mostly confined to bed and cannot sit upright, due to long Covid, this novel was written on my phone. And a special shoutout to “suggested text,” which meant that I could use my one-finger typing method with great utility.

My in-home aides have made my whole life doable. I extend my unlimited thanks to Madely Perez Cruz, who, in addition to being my hands and feet, also assisted with the manuscript, and to Avril Costa, who fills in when needed.

My housemate Desiree Bolling checks in on me every evening and cooks a delicious breakfast every Sunday. My friend David Hersh graciously drove me to Asheville, North Carolina, to do research. This entailed schlepping my wheelchair in and out of his van numerous times each day for a week.

Shai Zohav and Vathany Say, son and beloved daughter-in-law, are always nearby to lend a hand and heart when needed. My daughter Laila Zohav calls every Sunday for a great chat. My daughter Mariyama Scott is a level head for consulting on dilemmas and a warm listener.

My former foster daughter Gabriella Lopez is perhaps the most affectionate of all my children and has also blessed me with my beloved grandson, Jacob. Former foster son Sam Dobson has recently converted my favorite CDs to MP3s. This is greatly appreciated, as music sustains me as much as my protagonist. Being surrounded by so many loving and helpful people was an incalculable asset in completing this novel.

The general theme of elder wisdom was informed by the work of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, in several essays contained in his book, The Insecurity of Freedom.

This regard for elders was deepened by the teachings of Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, author of From Aging to Saging. My spiritual director, Rabbi Shaya Isenberg, was the embodiment of this elder wisdom and taught me much by his example. I followed Reb Zalman’s poetic schema of the life cycle as expressed by the four seasons in my chapter titles, using “Embracing Wisdom: Soaring in the Second Half of Life” by Rabbis Malka Drucker and Nadya Gross as my guide to this schema. However, I found that my protagonist’s life was not as clear-cut as this schema. Perhaps there is a senior thesis lurking there for a rabbinic student.

My very first reader and dear longtime friend, Robin Wilmer, was invaluable in encouraging me to keep going and had many helpful suggestions.
The first professional editor to give me some very useful feedback and ask important questions was Danielle Ofri, of Bellevue Literary Review. I was fortunate to take a class titled“Social Justice Fiction Writing,” sponsored by Hugo House and taught by Kate Raphael. From this class, our Activist Fiction Writers Circle was born.

The Activist Fiction Writers Circle has been and continues to be a major support. Many thanks to Juliana Barnet, author of Rainwood House Sings, for organizing us and keeping us on track; Maritza Arrastia, author of the upcoming novel Grito 2086, a climate fiction novel, for her encouraging feedback; and Elena Schwolsky, author of the upcoming novel Thursday’s Child, for much useful information on the processes of bringing a novel to publication. 

Family and friends who have listened to parts of the novel read out loud include Desiree Bolling, Tom Davey, Vathany Say, and Shai Zohav. 
Richard M. Heilberger is a colleague who served as a “test case” for a male demographic. He gave substantial feedback that is much appreciated.

Many thanks for the initial layout, invaluable questions, suggestions, and copy editing to Denise Casey.

Final copy editing and proofing was done by Katherine Pickett with precise attention to detail, much thought, wisdom, and understanding. I have found a kindred spirit and am so grateful for all her work.

It has been a pleasure to work with Nuno Moreira who formatted, typeset, and designed the interior and also designed the front and back covers.

This is a work of fiction. However, the characters are mostly composites drawn from my own life. So, friends and family, if you think a character might bear some resemblance to you, rest assured that the admirable qualities were inspired by you. But the less admirable qualities were probably someone else.
The environmental issues raised in this book are real issues, as are those of racism, war, and authoritarianism.

I hope that activists and parents will see themselves realistically portrayed in this novel. And that those new to activism or parenting will find useful models for both these essential tasks.

Lastly, it is a great privilege to enter elderhood. May we learn to appreciate and respect this generative time of life.

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- Rain Zohav

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