Fascinating stories that cause us to think

Charles H. Freundlich’s books are outstanding. He began writing his short stories when he was 80 and published a volume of them each year. Now, at age 92, he is gifting us with his 12th book, “Summing Up.” There are seven tales in the 155-page volume. Each is charming, easy to read, fascinating, and hard to put down.

As a rabbi with a PhD in English literature, he has a keen understanding of life. I know him as a friend. He is two years older than I am. We both retired to Boca Raton, Florida. Had I lived in the state where he served as rabbi, I would have rushed there to his synagogue to hear his sermons. They must have been more relevant and interesting than the sermons most rabbis deliver.

He addresses current concerns for Orthodox Jews in each of his tales. Many involve conflicts and disagreements over problems and solutions. Many non-Orthodox Jews and non-Jews find the issues relevant to their own lives, eye-opening, and engaging, and discuss his books with friends and in groups after finishing them.