Posted by Kar-Ben Editors on 8/7/2018 to
Meet a Kar-Ben Author
Rabbi Kerry Olitzky has held many leadership positions in Jewish organizations.He has written over 70 books and hundreds of articles
Despite his many accomplishments, Rabbi Olitzky says that his latest project might be the most exciting of his career so far: writing a potty-training book with a Jewish bent.
Where's the Potty On This Ark? is a whimsical retelling of the Noah's ark story. According to tradition, God gave Noah instructions for managing everything having to do with the care of the animals on the Ark, from feeding and housing them, to dealing with animal waste. Some scholars say that Noah’s Ark had three “decks,” with waste stored on the lowest deck, people and animals on the middle deck, and birds on the top deck. A different interpretation describes the waste as being stored on the top deck and then shoveled into the sea. Rabbi Olitzky writes in the introductory note, "Of course we don’t really know, so enjoy our lighthearted interpretation."
We asked Rabbi Olitzky to share more about how Where's the Potty On This Ark? came to be:
Where did you get the inspiration for your book?
Rabbi Olitzky: As a grandparent, I have watched as our seven grandchildren go through the process of potty training without the benefit of any Jewish resources.
What are you most excited about promoting in your new book?
Rabbi Olitzky: A companion for potty training for parents to be able to share with their children.
What is the most interesting thing you learned in the process of writing your book?
Rabbi Olitzky: The challenge of taking sophisticated ideas and translating them into a narrative and language that children will understand.
How do you hope your book will impact the Jewish life of a child?
Rabbi Olitzky: I hope that in addition to facilitating their potty training they will learn about the holiness of their bodies.
Anything else you would like to share with readers?
Rabbi Olitzky: I am more excited about this book than any of the other 75 adult titles that I have written.
Get your copy of Where's the Potty On This Ark? now.