Dreidels on the Brain

by Joel ben Izzy

  Penultimately, I am deeply indebted to the folks at Dial. My thanks to Danielle Calotta, who took a bizarre idea and turned it into a cover that captures the spirit of this book, and to Dana Chidiac, assistant editor, who has helped every step of the way, with grace and warmth. Thanks as well to Copy Chief Regina Castillo, who corrected hundreds of my actual mistakes while nimbly sidestepping my many intentional breeches in spelling, and to Nancy Leo-Kelly, who worked typographic magic in the layout of this book. My publicist, Amanda Mustafic, has been wonderful to work with, and I’m glad to have her spinning Dreidels on the Brain out into the world.

  I am particularly grateful to Lauri Hornik, publisher of Dial and editor of this book. About ten years ago, after reading my first book, she invited me to stop by when I was next in New York. We went for hot chocolate and she asked if I had ever considered writing something for young readers. “Well,” I said, “there was this one Hanukkah when I was twelve, and a story about an orange that’s been rolling around inside my head. . . .” When I finished telling her the story, she saw the potential for a book, and asked for a sample chapter.

  It took me seven years from that meeting to find the right voice and deliver that chapter, then another three years of writing, rewriting, and rerewriting, to come up with the book you’ve just read. Lauri has been there with boundless patience every step of the way, offering editorial insight, judicious edits, sage advice, writerly perspective, and, most importantly, the belief that this was a story worth telling. One could not ask for a better editor. Thank you, Lauri—it is a pleasure and honor to work with you.

  And, finally, I am so, so grateful to Taly Rutenberg, whom I must thank twice:

  First, to Taly, my wife, without whom this book would never have been written. She gave me the push I needed, asking, “Are you ever going to write that book about snow and oranges? Or just keep talking about it until you die?” Then, throughout the writing process, she put up with years of my frustration, distraction, procrastination, and other unpleasant traits that can make living with a writer in general—and this one in particular—a total pain in the Buttsky.

  Then, to Taly, my writing partner, who, after I had already written numerous drafts, plunged into the manuscript, working alongside me to tweak every sentence, scrutinize every character’s psyche, and twist plots as needed. At times, hers were the fingers on the keyboard. Through those multiple final drafts, she became a true collaborator as we spun this story together, resulting in a much, much, much better book. And we had great fun.

  In light of Taly’s tremendous contributions to this book, I am inspired to add something I have never seen, but befits this Hanukkah tale—a rededication:

  For Taly

  I am forever grateful for your gifts.

  As the dreidels in my brain spin out into the world,

  know that the dreidels in my heart

  spin for you alone.

  About the Author

  In the summer of 1983, after graduating from Stanford, storyteller Joel ben Izzy set off to travel the globe, gathering and telling stories. Since then, he has performed, led storytelling workshops, and served as artist-in-residence in thirty-five countries on five continents.

  Over the years he has produced six recorded collections of his stories, all of which have won awards from organizations and publications such as Parents’ Choice Foundation, the American Library Association, and Booklist magazine.

  In addition to Joel’s writing, teaching, and performing, he is one of the nation’s most sought-after story consultants, working with individuals and organizations striving to make the world a better place. He serves clients in numerous fields, partnering with them to craft their stories, find their voices, and bring their messages to life. Joel also volunteers as a board member of Jewish Family and Community Services of the East Bay, which serves a diverse population including holocaust survivors and refugees from around the world.

  Joel’s first book was the highly acclaimed memoir The Beggar King and the Secret of Happiness. Now in over a dozen foreign languages, it is currently in development as a movie.

  Joel lives with his wife, Taly, in Berkeley, California. They have two grown children, Elijah and Izzy, who are off having adventures of their own. They also have a dog named Herschel, the only member of the family who did not help in the writing of this book.

  Looking for more?

  Visit Penguin.com for more about this author and a complete list of their books.

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