Meet Me at the Well: the Girls and Women of the Bible

My old friend (ex-student of mine, then a member of my critique group, winner of the Jewish Book Award among other citations—Barbara Diamond Goldin—and I decided to write a book that would be feminist, 21st century midrashim about the girls and women of the Hebrew Bible. That meant for most of them, we had to tease thei girls/women’s stories from out of the men’s tales. It only took us ten years to write and in between—my husband died, her mother died. There were health issues (for both of us), Barbara began then finished library school and got not one but two different jobs. Her daughter became gravely ill/then better, a grandbaby was born (her daughter’s), then two more (her son’s). The book finally got written, vetted by a rabbi and a Jewish Education specialist, the editors. We rewrote it—it got published. Phew!

What reviewers have said:

• *STARRED REVIEW* “A much-needed, thoughtful updating of Bible stories about women” — Kirkus Reviews
• “A solid source of study and reflection for libraries with religious patrons” ―- School Library Journal
• “Torah texts, midrashim and lyrical poems by Yolen and imaginative vignettes by Goldin invigorate the stories of these unique mothers and daughters, sisters and friends. The title recalls how women traditionally met at a well where, like the matriarch Rebecca, they might “discover their future husbands.” This happy reading and learning experience is augmented by Mintzi’s illustrations and enhanced by an excellent bibliography.” — Hadassah Magazine
• “This useful and well-researched collection not only would make an appropriate bat mitzvah gift, it would serve as an important entryway into popular Bible stories for serious-minded modern readers due to its focus on capable and spirited women.” — Jewish Journal