By Lauren Matthew

The Jewish State

Celebrating life has never been so fun.

A new book, Three Times Chai, is an anthology of original and classic Jewish stories. Fifty-four rabbis contributed to the making of the book, put together by author and journalist Laney Becker.

After a struggle with breast cancer, Becker searched for a way back into her career. She found it--through focus on two Jewish traditions: storytelling with a message and the connection Jews have between the number 18 and the celebration of life.

"My health crises left me feeling lost, angry, and sad," Becker said. "Collecting and editing these stories became a true blessing for me. I went from feeling abandoned to feeling that my prayers had been answered, although not quite in the way I had expected."

Stories in the book range in length from one to seven pages. Becker said she looked for stories that ranged the spectrum of the branches of Judaism. These are all stories that the rabbis use in their roles as teachers and mentors.

The stories are meant to reflect Jewish ideals as told in each individual rabbi's style. At the end of each piece, there's a note explaining why the story was chosen, and why it's a favorite. The book is broken up into sections that deal with community, religion, God's word, and outlook.

Local rabbis who chose stories for the book include Rabbi Robert Fine, Rabbi Elyse Frishman, Rabbi Sally Priesand, Rabbi Francine Green Roston, Rabbi Amy Joy Small, Rabbi Shira Stern, and Rabbi Eric Wisnia. Many New York City rabbis also contributed.

Priesand, the rabbi emerita of Monmouth Reform Temple in Tinton Falls and the first female rabbi in the country, said she chose her tale because it illustrated the importance of doing the right thing.

"Religion is judged by the conduct of the people who profess it,"Priesand wrote. "It's not by what we say but the way in which we behave that we truly bear witness to God's presence in the life of humanity."

Likewise, Roston, who heads Conservative Congregation Beth El in South Orange, chose her story for the emphasis it places on forgiveness. She often tells the story on Yom Kippur.

"We have to work to forgive ourselves and realize that our flaws can also be blessings in our lives if we just stop beating ourselves up and start accepting the gifts that we bring into the world," Roston wrote.

At first glance, Three Times Chai may appear to be a children's book, but the lessons it contains are intended for all ages--and all religions.

"You don't really need to be religious or even Jewish, to appreciate what these stories have to say," Becker noted. "They can remind us all that we can do better--we can all be kinder, better, more charitable human beings."

Becker is an award-winning writer and the author of a novel titled Dear Stranger, Dearest Friend. Her articles have appeared in over 50 magazines and newspapers. She lives in Westchester County, N.Y.