n 'a Small Shul Among those educators were his parents, Mark Smiley, director of edu- cation at Associated Hebrew Schools, and Aviva Silverman, coordinator of the Tanakh Curriculum Project. However, Smiley approached them only after he had fleshed out his ideas, he said, adding that his mother looked at the wording of some of the study questions at the end of the book. Michael Ferman, director of pro- gramming at Adath Israel in Toronto, said the synagogue will use the comic book at its Grade 5 service this Yom Kippur. "With this comic, we are look- ing forward to enhancing the High Holiday educational experience for our youth and making the story of Jonah more accessible:' Smiley self-published the hand- drawn, digitally colored comic book through Ka-Blam Digital Printing. The project grew out of several shorter class assignments. In addition to the study questions at the back of the book, Smiley included part of a sermon about the Book of Jonah that was given by his late grand- father, Rabbi Israel Silverman, in 1994. Rabbi Silverman served Beth Jacob Synagogue in Hamilton, Ont., from 1966 to 1996. Another rabbinic relative — Smiley's cousin, Chicago-based Rabbi David Russo — served as a consultant on the comic book. The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism helped Smiley publicize his book, and he is now into his second printing after an initial run of 650 copies. Prices range from $2.99 to $3.50 per copy, depending on the number purchased. Smiley says he already has 13 private orders from Michigan. United Synagogue Youth helped with the educational materials, Smiley said. He hopes to follow The Book of Jonah with another High Holiday comic book. Long term, he would like to expand on the type of work he's doing now and perhaps produce a graphic novel based on his grandfather's Shoah memoir, part of which he has already adapted for a class assignment. It can be found on his blog at dovsmiley.blogspot.ca/p/ survivor-preview-comic.html. Like The Book of Jonah, his grandfa- ther's memoir has "a strong dramatic narrative making it a natural choice for the medium. Comics are "a growing medium that educators are taking seriously:' Smiley said. "The response I've gotten so far tells me if it's not a trend right now, it's going to be:' $36 Membership* Contact David Goodman, Executive Director at 248-851-6880 to learn more about membership, religious school, and our family friendly spiritual home. V Big Future Bell= *some restrictions may apply "We wanted our children to have a synagogue home and community that would enrich them throughout their lives. We have found that home at Beth Ahm. Our family was welcomed into the congregation and relationships quickly formed. Our children are excited to go Beth Ahm to celebrate Judaism, to interact with Rabbi Rubenstein, and explore their Jewish identities. We look forward to watching them grow and deepen their roots in the congregation. Three generations of our family are now active at Beth Ahm. The synagogue's future is bright and we are proud to be part of it. We invite you to experience Beth Ahm by joining us on Shabbat, or at an upcoming event. Please let us help you make Beth Ahm part of your future." - Alyssa and Louis Aguilar Sacha, Lucy, Louis, Sarah, and Alyssa Aguilar Purim 2013 Congregation Beth Ahm Big enough to enrich you. Small enough to know you. 5075 West Maple, West Bloomfield, MI 48322 • 248-851-6880 • www.cbahm.org CI You Tubs TradeFirst Wishes You and Yours a Happy and Healthy New Year! ❑ This story first appeared in the Canadian Jewish News. To order "The Book of Jonah," go to www.jonahcomic.com. TradeFirst THE NEW BUSINESS CURRENCY 23200 Coolidge Hwy., Oak Park, MI 48237 Helping Businesses Compete in p. 248 544 1350 I www.tradefirst.com The Marketplace for 36 Years! - - 1945870 IN September 18 • 2014 57