Sarah Goldman loves Hanukkah, and she’s thrilled to be appointed as vice chair of the Hollowville Hanukkah Festival. So when the festival is threatened with cancellation, she comes up with an idea: a new slogan and advertising campaign topped off with a metal menorah large enough to fill the center of town. But even though her heart and dreams are large, the committee’s budget constraints … threaten to stop her grand plans right in their tracks.
Famous metal sculptor Isaac Lieberman also loves Hanukkah. But his vision of a perfect Hanukkah isn’t a commercial community event—it’s spending time with family, following age-old traditions. He’s not interested in the festival, no matter how many times his grandmother, his bubbe, asks him to contribute one of his sculptures.
Then Sarah comes tumbling into his life…can she change his mind about more than just the holidays?
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Miracles and Menorahs is centered around a small-town community and their annual Hanukkah festival. It brings together the towns “Hanukkah fairy” and a grandson of a local who is a talented sculpture who is against commercialization of the holiday. The two have a connection which is challenged with the lack of communication from the both of them. A very cute story and my first Hanukkah read. I was unfamiliar with quite a few of the terms used. Some I was able to define, others not. I did enjoy learning more about the customs and traditions woven throughout the storyline. Wonderful, interesting, and varied characters gave this story depth. I’m glad I was introduced to this new-to-me author.
A very sweet story loaded with all kinds of characters that butt in at the most unfortunate times. The only trouble I had was with my unfamiliarity with a host of Hebrew terms woven into the plot.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I just completed reading Miracles and Menorahs by Stacey Agdern. It was my first exposure to this incredibly talented author. I sincerely hope that there will be many more of her beautiful stories to read. This story concerns events surrounding the Hollowville Hanakkah Festival, but especially the blossoming relationship between local good girl, and festival vice-chair Sarah Goldman, and brilliant, but reserved sculpturer Issac Leiberman. The festival, though distinct and extraordinary, is being pressured to end after the current holiday. The pressure is being applied by newly elected town trustee, Mr. Webster. Of course, he is basically singular in his disruptive opinion, but he screams louder than everyone else. Bullies always do. Issac loves his grandmother, who happens to live in Hollowville. Despite reservations, he’ll always seek her approval. Sarah has spent her life working to make everyone else happy, but the festival’s struggles are truly hurting her heart. She always fixes every issue, but has she depleted her quiver of fixes? Will her beloved Hollowville Hanakkah Festival be the casualty?
This story is a beautiful gift to readers on a multitude of levels. The settings are unique and captivating. The customs and traditions that are intertwined in the story are lovely and heartfelt. The struggles and the triumphs throughout this storyline grab your attention, and burrow themselves within your heart. That happens because the author has enriched this story with a treasure chest full of incredible characters. Issac’s grandmother, Elsa Leiberman. His friends Jamie, Oliver, Max, Tom, and Liam. Sarah’s loving parents. Hollowville residents Chana Levitan, Carol Thomas, and Molly Concannon. Each character adds another shade to the literary rainbow that is this book. This story is heartfelt, and fun, and thrilling, and lovely, and romantic, and an exquisite story to be treasured. The author has given her readers a truly beautiful gift.