Author Leora Freedman spent several years immersed in Hasidic legends, struck by their view of the human condition and belief in the possibility of a better world. To her, the stories seemed to call across the centuries as a source of comfort. As a descendant of the Charlop rabbinic family, with roots in east European Jewish leadership, Freedman was eager to bring insights like these into her creative work.
Her newest novel, Cherry Baum, centers on a contemporary Jewish woman who decides to carry on a centuries-old “holy woman” family tradition.
Cherry Baum, a Jewish mother of four, has the power to heal the sick, communicate telepathically and soul-travel through time and space. After deciding that now is the time to go public as a holy woman, she quickly reaches the point where she can’t turn back, despite the fears of her family as their Toronto home fills with her grateful followers. Making matches and guiding all types of Jews through life decisions, Cherry becomes a controversial sensation. She gains considerable political influence, from the local scene up to the United Nations. However, at the climax of the novel, she is in mortal danger from antisemitic forces that have infiltrated her Jewish community.
Leora Freedman has published three previous novels with Jewish themes, winning recognition from Keren Amos, the President’s fund in Israel; the Israeli Committee for the Absorption of Outstanding Immigrant Artists; the Toronto Arts Council; Foreword Reviews Top 8 and the US National Indie Excellence Awards. She is an associate professor of English language at the University of Toronto.
Cherry Baum is now available through Ktav Publishing and major online retailers, including Amazon.