Two Jews = Three Shuls

“A readable and engaging stew of murder mystery, synagogue politics (with which any reader engaged in their house of worship will chuckle with recognition and cringe with frustration), tensions over the role of women in Jewish religious life, and the impact of the Holocaust on the lives of survivors and their children. Tankoos has woven this together beautifully.”


—David Saperstein, Director Emeritus, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism; co-author of Jewish Dimensions of Social Justice





“Sandra Tankoos clearly understands the culture and moral code of those who choose to be active in synagogue life. The storyline is compelling, blending both mysticism and day-to-day reality, while struggling to find their rabbi’s assassin. Recommended reading.”


—Michael White, Senior Rabbi, Temple Sinai of Roslyn, Long Island





“This is a very smart book. It understands the language and culture of Jewish Long Island. It understands the inner workings—with all of the warts—of suburban synagogue life. Sides are drawn, irrationality hides behind faith, and petty jealousies abound. . . . The reader cares about the search for the perpetrator of a dark deed. Mysticism meets love, and love unleashes memories of pain and of horrendous loss.”


—Stanley M. Davids, rabbi and editor of Deepening The Dialogue





“So many issues that synagogues confront and don’t confront—they are all in the story! And a murder to be solved as well! A real page-turner. A must-read for anyone and everyone who cares about religious life as it gets played out day to day.”


—Bennett Miller, Rabbi Emeritus, Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple, New Brunswick, New Jersey; National Chair, ARZA





“A Jewish whodunnit. Sandy Tankoos includes all the right Jewish elements of gossip, guilt, and ghosts (though Jewish law prohibits us from conjuring them up—but in this case it was the rabbi reaching out to his congregation’s president.) There’s even the prototypical Jewish mother . . . the rabbi’s mother, who of course believes it was her daughter-in-law who killed her son. Can there be anything more Jewish and mysterious? This is truly a delightful read with wonderfully written Jewish characters that everyone can appreciate.”


—Robert A. Silvers, Senior Rabbi, Congregation B’nai Israel, Boca Raton, Florida