I Can't Say Goodbye

This collection of stories about Yussie is close to my heart. Yussie was always “borrowing” money from me, and then he gave me these wonderful stories … leaving me forever in his debt. King of Shabbos is a showdown between Rabbi Levi and Yussie. Yussie wants to give up on life, and Rabbi Levi needs a tenth man for a minyan, like his life depends on it. In Yussie’s Yom Kippur Prayer, Yussie begins his Yom Kippur fast while already starving, and facing homelessness, and Michael Fein, the richest Jew in Sunshine, is facing a spiritual crisis. Rabbi Levi must figure out a way to get these two souls to help one another. Prayers and Tears is a humorous encounter between Yussie and The Almighty, concerning the power of prayer. A New Life is another funny experience between Yussie and The Master of the Universe, this time through a surprising email. Yussie in Love … Yussie finally falls in love … in his mid 50’s … and it turns out his lady friend presents a dilemma for him and Rabbi Levi. The Great Rosh Hashanah Mystery concerns Yussie’s mysterious question about Rosh Hashanna, and how Rabbi Levi answers it. I Can’t Say Goodbye is mostly true. I have been told it is one of the most touching stories I have written, but you should judge for yourself. On each tear shed over this story is etched a “thank you” to the real Yussie. Fraylich Yankel is a speech I gave. Enjoy!