“Which child was born first? The boy, or the girl?” What does it matter?
Sarah Cohen’s twins, Rachel, then Yakov, should be twice the blessing. But when her husband, Benjamin, asks her to lie, their marriage begins to crack.
The Cohens live on the edge of the Black Forest, in a small village called Chelm. According to their neighbors, Chelm is populated by fools. Little do they know, it is also the home of The Council of Wise Women, an organization dedicated to healing, founded in biblical times by the Matriarch, Sarah.
As the Cohen children grow, it becomes clear that young Rachel is brilliant. Yakov, to Benjamin’s consternation, is not. In a patriarchal society, can a girl excel?
Sarah’s life begins to unravel, and it is up to the Council and Mrs. Chaipul, the caterer, to step in and help. How much is too much?
The Council of Wise Women breaks the famous stories of Chelm wide open. With laughter, compassion, and rich vibrant characters, it tells a story of love, loss, and independence.
Fiction
The Council of Wise Women
- From the Publisher
September 1, 2023
Discussion Questions
Jewish literature inspires, enriches, and educates the community.
Help support the Jewish Book Council.