Abby Layton’s inspiring example and generous spirit enabled me to find a Jewish path. This book would not exist if not for her influence.
I am grateful to Rabbi Aryeh Hirschfield, of blessed memory, for his initial inspiring presence and his continued guidance. For months, during the rainy Oregon winter, he and I would meet each week to read through my manuscript chapter by chapter. Rabbi Aryeh helped correct the Hebrew, clarified confusing points, and offered many helpful suggestions.
I thank my wife, Rachael Resch, for unfailing love, staunch support, wise perspective, brilliant insights, skillful editing, artistic vision, and for happy times.
I am grateful for the love and support of my mother, Phoebe Seidman, and my father, Herbert Seidman. May they both rest in peace.
Ilan Shamir’s enthusiasm and perspective helped guide the early writing. Many other friends provided important feedback and encouragement, including Gordon Quinlan, John Ciminello, Ruth Resch, Nelson Foster, Donna Redisch, Aki Fleshler, Alon Raab, Hank Stratton, Ron Marson, Pat Ferris, and Steve Berman. Howard Lanoff, Babs Smith, Pat Ciminello, and Sharon Dvora were other stalwart supporters. I thank them all for their assistance and friendship.
I am grateful to my teachers Robert Aitken, Nelson Foster, Martín Prechtel, Paul Richards, and Stephen Victor. Their influence pervades these pages and my life.
Deborah and Rabbi David Zaslow have been good friends and supporters.
Thank you to Rabbi Julia Melanie Vaughns for her deep knowledge of the Hebrew letter mysteries and generous sharing of her expertise and wisdom.
I offer great gratitude to Shoshannah Brombacher for her intimacy with the Hebrew letters and for her beautiful artwork that graces the book cover and cards.
Deep thanks to Rabbi Rami Shapiro for his profound Foreword.
I appreciate proofreader Jill Bailin and her meticulous attention to detail.
Thank you to Steve Scholl and White Cloud Press for helping bring this new edition out into the world.
Thank you to all the humans I have forgotten to thank, to my ancestors, to the Angel of Writing, to the holy Hebrew letters themselves and their descendants, the letters of the Latin alphabet, and to all the many known and unknown beings and forces who have conspired to sing us into life and sing this project into life.