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The Shoemaker's Law
1941. The armies of Germany and Romania take over the city of Czernowitz, quickly turning it from a peaceful, picturesque town to a Ghetto for over fifty thousand Jews. Aaron, a local shoemaker, frantically fights for the survival of his family – including his two-month-old baby.
He decides to break all the rules, knowing that one wrong move will be his last.
Half courageous, half desperate, Aaron decides to strike an unbelievable deal with the most unlikely figure – one that will guarantee his family’s safety. He will make himself useful in this ruined world, where soldiers hold your fate in their iron grip.
A world filled with new rules, but only one law – to survive.
He decides to break all the rules, knowing that one wrong move will be his last.
Half courageous, half desperate, Aaron decides to strike an unbelievable deal with the most unlikely figure – one that will guarantee his family’s safety. He will make himself useful in this ruined world, where soldiers hold your fate in their iron grip.
A world filled with new rules, but only one law – to survive.
245 pages, Paperback
Published October 1, 2023
About the author
Shlomo Harary
1 book6 followersAuthor Shlomo Harary was born in Czernowitz and raised in Romania until he immigrated to Israel at age 16.
After his service in the IDF, Harary went on to study geography and political science at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, during which he was recruited as an ISA agent. His work led to the uncovering of Archbishop Hilarion Capucci as a weapons smuggler for the PLO, planned to use against the US secretary of state at the time – Dr. Henry Kissinger. Harary’s book about the case was published in Israel to much acclaim, together with former agent Dr. Ronny Shaked.
Harary started working on “The Shoemaker’s Law” during the COVID-19 outbreak, and it is based on his family’s experiences in Romania during the Second World War. He titled the book “Aaron” in its original Hebrew edition, after his father.
Today, Shlomo Harary lives with his family in Jerusalem, is an avid fan of nature and history films and spends time cultivating his love of photography and gardening.
After his service in the IDF, Harary went on to study geography and political science at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, during which he was recruited as an ISA agent. His work led to the uncovering of Archbishop Hilarion Capucci as a weapons smuggler for the PLO, planned to use against the US secretary of state at the time – Dr. Henry Kissinger. Harary’s book about the case was published in Israel to much acclaim, together with former agent Dr. Ronny Shaked.
Harary started working on “The Shoemaker’s Law” during the COVID-19 outbreak, and it is based on his family’s experiences in Romania during the Second World War. He titled the book “Aaron” in its original Hebrew edition, after his father.
Today, Shlomo Harary lives with his family in Jerusalem, is an avid fan of nature and history films and spends time cultivating his love of photography and gardening.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 26, 2023
3.5! I have read quite a few survivor Holocaust stories and they have ranged in how they were told. But I feel like there is that line between giving too much family information. I could not keep all of them and the places pieced together. It is an amazing story of survival though.
August 12, 2024
The book I’m reading is called “The Shoemaker’s Law” by Shlomo Harary. He wrote this book during the COVID-19 outbreak, and it is based on his family’s experiences in Czernowitz, a region of Bukovina, which is now divided between Romania and Ukraine during the the Second World War. He titled the book “Aaron” in its original Hebrew edition, after his father. This book is written beautifully which I’ve enjoyed reading this, and is made even more impressive by the author’s inclusion of many period photographs of his family, structures, places and documents. As a result, did his whole family have survived or not. You can decide?
May 30, 2022
I’ve read numerous Holocaust Survival novels. This one seemed long and drawn out. Too many family members to keep track of. And since so many, it was hard to “connect” with any of them. It contained a lot of history. Lots of cities and a bit confusing. A map of the area could have helped. Would not recommend. Too boring.
October 13, 2023
Long story about the Jewish families during Holocaust.
I lost track of the people and places, often.
But it was enlightening about the camps and the round ups. Different viewpoint that other WWII novels I've read.
I lost track of the people and places, often.
But it was enlightening about the camps and the round ups. Different viewpoint that other WWII novels I've read.
February 23, 2024
I tried so hard to finish this book because I read the reviews and the all said how great the book was, and because it wasn't an overly long book I thought I'd at least finish it, but I just couldn't bring myself to finish. I DNF this book at 79%. There's too many characters, the timeline happens all over the place so it's really hard to keep up with whats happened at what point and different characters keep being brought in with things happening at other times, it just got extremely confusing. The writing was amazing, it was so emotional at times, the author did a really good job at showing how heartbreaking it was for these people. But, unfortunately I had no connection to the characters, if I put the book down I completely forgot who's story was who's, what was happening and when it was happening. Adding pictures so the reader can get a better image as to what was being described was beautiful and made it so much more heartbreaking. I wish I could've finished this book but it just wasn't for me unfortunately
October 5, 2022
I believe you will be as riveted as I when you open this book!
The harrowing tale of survival (and rescue) will surely awaken your sensibilities of right from wrong. It will also street to the heroic acts of bravery.
I can not give you a glimpse of what is inside these pages, without coming right out and telling you the story. It would ruin it for you. But I do so hope you will do as I did, open the book (open your mind and your heart) and feel the anguish, the anger, the surprise, the love of family and of friends, and even the love of strangers! You will also realize the achievements, the elations.
Story is well laid-out. The history lesson is there for you to observe, and absorb.
My admiration and congratulations to Mr Harsh for sharing his story (and his family ) with me. And you when you read his story..well deserved 5 stars.--P/
The harrowing tale of survival (and rescue) will surely awaken your sensibilities of right from wrong. It will also street to the heroic acts of bravery.
I can not give you a glimpse of what is inside these pages, without coming right out and telling you the story. It would ruin it for you. But I do so hope you will do as I did, open the book (open your mind and your heart) and feel the anguish, the anger, the surprise, the love of family and of friends, and even the love of strangers! You will also realize the achievements, the elations.
Story is well laid-out. The history lesson is there for you to observe, and absorb.
My admiration and congratulations to Mr Harsh for sharing his story (and his family ) with me. And you when you read his story..well deserved 5 stars.--P/
June 20, 2022
Grateful
Thank you for sharing your families history. So much human history was lost due to the 'freeing' of citizens by Stalin's communist wall, along with the cruelty of the fascist Hitler regime. And more from the great losses of citizens of the regions. I had no knowledge of these camps in these regions.
My heart has hurt for them for the many decades of my lifetime, friends and families also.
Am blessed to hear many of your family made Aliyat to Israel.
Thank you for sharing your families history. So much human history was lost due to the 'freeing' of citizens by Stalin's communist wall, along with the cruelty of the fascist Hitler regime. And more from the great losses of citizens of the regions. I had no knowledge of these camps in these regions.
My heart has hurt for them for the many decades of my lifetime, friends and families also.
Am blessed to hear many of your family made Aliyat to Israel.
March 28, 2024
What a horrible time to live during WW11 with Germany running rampant across Europe. This book brings the real horrors of the Holocaust into perspective. All the families that were murdered is heartbreaking. I do not know if I could forgive those who inflicted this pain onto another human being.
Would recommend for historical purposes but it isn’t a light read at all.
Would recommend for historical purposes but it isn’t a light read at all.
May 14, 2022
shockingly beautiful
This book recounts the fates of Jewish family members who were victims of the Final Solution, Romanian style. Moving, shock and awe producing, this is a must read for anyone interested in the history of the time.
This book recounts the fates of Jewish family members who were victims of the Final Solution, Romanian style. Moving, shock and awe producing, this is a must read for anyone interested in the history of the time.
August 15, 2023
sad story
This is a good book if your looking for the real story of the offensives that took place in Romania. The storyteller did a great job. I was so sad in much of the story but knowing what these people went thru makes me so grateful for America
This is a good book if your looking for the real story of the offensives that took place in Romania. The storyteller did a great job. I was so sad in much of the story but knowing what these people went thru makes me so grateful for America
April 7, 2026
what an amazing but gut wrenching story of survival
February 26, 2022
‘A journey into the terrible unknown, from which no travelers returned’ – A superb novel
Israeli author Shlomo Harary served in the Israel Defense Forces, earned his degrees in geography and political science from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and was recruited as an ISA agent – an assignment that eventually led to his book on espionage. THE SHOEMAKER’S LAW is his debut publication in English, translated from the Hebrew by Slava Bart, and is based his family’s experiences in Romania during WW II.
In a touching Introduction, Shlomo states, ‘The genocide of Bukovina’s Jewry is less known, but was no less brutal than the more well-known events of the Holocaust. Romania was not conquered by the Nazis. Rather, it was an ally to the Germans, and itself initiated the purge of its Jewry. In many cases the Romanians were crueler than the Nazis themselves…It’s hard to understand how even normative and educated people became killers and savages. It must teach us where racism leads.’
Shlomo opens his novel in the sun-glittering beach town of Malibu, California as the owner of an opulent beachfront home welcomes guests from Israel, and in this languid and upbeat setting the history of the owner’s family is revealed. He begins the haunting tale with photographs of the owner’s family (Shlomo Harary’s to be precise) and the book takes off. ‘1941. The armies of Germany and Romania take over the city of Czernowitz, quickly turning it from a peaceful, picturesque town to a Ghetto for over fifty thousand Jews. Aaron, a local shoemaker, frantically fights for the survival of his family – including his two-month-old baby. He decides to break all the rules, knowing that one wrong move will be his last. Half courageous, half desperate, Aaron decides to strike an unbelievable deal with the most unlikely figure – one that will guarantee his family’s safety. He will make himself useful in this ruined world, where soldiers hold your fate in their iron grip. A world filled with new rules, but only one law – to survive.’
This account of the atrocities of WW II is made even more impressive by the author’s inclusion of many period photographs of his family, structures, places and documents – adding realism to the story’s message. Very well written and highly recommended.
Israeli author Shlomo Harary served in the Israel Defense Forces, earned his degrees in geography and political science from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and was recruited as an ISA agent – an assignment that eventually led to his book on espionage. THE SHOEMAKER’S LAW is his debut publication in English, translated from the Hebrew by Slava Bart, and is based his family’s experiences in Romania during WW II.
In a touching Introduction, Shlomo states, ‘The genocide of Bukovina’s Jewry is less known, but was no less brutal than the more well-known events of the Holocaust. Romania was not conquered by the Nazis. Rather, it was an ally to the Germans, and itself initiated the purge of its Jewry. In many cases the Romanians were crueler than the Nazis themselves…It’s hard to understand how even normative and educated people became killers and savages. It must teach us where racism leads.’
Shlomo opens his novel in the sun-glittering beach town of Malibu, California as the owner of an opulent beachfront home welcomes guests from Israel, and in this languid and upbeat setting the history of the owner’s family is revealed. He begins the haunting tale with photographs of the owner’s family (Shlomo Harary’s to be precise) and the book takes off. ‘1941. The armies of Germany and Romania take over the city of Czernowitz, quickly turning it from a peaceful, picturesque town to a Ghetto for over fifty thousand Jews. Aaron, a local shoemaker, frantically fights for the survival of his family – including his two-month-old baby. He decides to break all the rules, knowing that one wrong move will be his last. Half courageous, half desperate, Aaron decides to strike an unbelievable deal with the most unlikely figure – one that will guarantee his family’s safety. He will make himself useful in this ruined world, where soldiers hold your fate in their iron grip. A world filled with new rules, but only one law – to survive.’
This account of the atrocities of WW II is made even more impressive by the author’s inclusion of many period photographs of his family, structures, places and documents – adding realism to the story’s message. Very well written and highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews