Kerry M. Olitzky is the former long time executive director of Big Tent Judaism. He has been named as one of the fifty Leading Rabbis in North America by Newsweek. Previously on the faculty and administration of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, he is the award-winning author of over a hundred books and hundreds of articles in a variety of fields. He is known for books that bring the insights of Jewish wisdom into everyday living.

Dori Weinstein is the author of YaYa & YoYo, an award-winning Jewish chapter book series for kids ages 8-12. Dori was an elementary school teacher for many years and currently teaches Jewish music to preschoolers. She also visits schools around the country where she enjoys teaching about Jewish books, writing, and publishing. When she’s not teaching or writing, Dori loves to bike, run, and walk around the beautiful lakes of the Twin Cities in Minnesota. Dori and her husband Gary have three grown children, who have flown the nest and are now out in the world creating their own adventures and stories.

Rachel Robinson is a multidisciplinary artist, illustrator, graphic designer, and writer. She studied design at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City before beginning a career as a jewelry designer, where she honed the design principles that continue to shape her work today. Her illustrations blend traditional hand-drawn artistry with digital techniques to create stories filled with warmth, humor, and meaningful detail. Through her artwork, Rachel hopes to preserve Jewish stories, celebrate culture, and inspire families to share them together for generations to come.

This book holds a special place in her heart. Her family’s surname was Rabinowitz before it was changed after immigrating to America, giving this story an especially personal connection. Many of these illustrations were drawn while sitting beside her father during the final months of his life. The book’s publication date falls on his birthday, and she lovingly dedicates it to his memory.