Customer Reviews

The Book of Destiny: Toledot Charlap

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Arthur Menton spent a generation assembling this authoritative pair of books describing the history of the distinguished Charlap and related families. The anecdotes are lively and well-told. Menton's listing of the members of the extended family includes 15,000 individuals and 250 trees as of press time. Since being published, the tree has grown to 20,000 individuals and 400 plates. A masterpiece of genealogical research and publishing. Other surnames prominent in the family include Ser, Lappen, Lapin, Budovitch, Sahr, Lew, Lewin, Levine, Kur, Pasternak, Kopyto, Mankuta, Smolarczyk, Don Yechiya, Donchin, among hundreds of others. A must-read for individuals interested in the history of the Jewish community of the northeastern region of Poland, including but not limited to the the towns of Ciechanowiec, Tykocin, Nur, Wysokie Mazowiecki.

Of course I loved this intense look at my family - While reading I learned about how deep the roots are, and how connected we all are.
I am proud to be a Charlap, and suggest that any scholar of Jewish history read this book. It is the story of struggles, success, love, music, and all that makes life so rich.

This is one of my favorite books. I was impressed with the hours and effort that went into the research, but even more than that it is amazing to learn about actual descendants of our beloved King David that exist and thrive in our midst today.

Fascinating story of one Jewish Family tracing its family tree through history from King David to the present.