An Extra Seat

This children’s book, based on Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld’s personal story growing up in 1970s New York, focuses on the plight of the Jewish Zionist prisoners brought to the world’s attention by the highly publicised arrest of Anatoly Sharansky. Herzfeld’s mentor, Rabbi Avi Weiss, plays a central role, encouraging his congregation to see the refuseniks (whose simple aim was making aliyah to Israel) as brothers and sisters whose rights should be fought for with unremitting public protest. The two child protagonists, Sarah and Joseph, experience the reward of these efforts as they witness Sharansky’s remarkable release, nine years into his 14-year sentence. The book provides a message of hope especially to children who are encouraged to see the value of their ideals, values and actions. This book is has as its central premise human and Torah-based Jewish values, such as: While it may not be our job to complete a task, we are obligated to try. We have the greatest responsibility to help our own family. All of the Jewish people are one family. Thus we are all responsible to help each other.