The Search Committee: A Novel - Hardcover

"Angel's novel, "The Search Committee", is at once modest and harrowing. Its design is charming in its simplicity. It is clear and short, its hundred and fifty pages are a quick absorbing read. But the book's very unpretentiousness makes it all the more unnerving; the novel is a shocker on its own quiet terms." --Jane Mushabac, "Midstream Magazine"

"At once modest and harrowing. Its design is charming in its simplicity. It is clear and short; its hundred and fifty pages are a quick absorbing read. But the book's very unpretentiousness makes it all the more unnerving; the novel is a shocker on its own quiet terms." Jane Mushabac, professor, New York City College of Technology, and coauthor, "A Short and Remarkable History of New York City""

"I found the literary concept, writing style, and overall plot in this quick read to be very interesting. While the real world is more complicated, this book shows in an entertaining way some of the major ideological differences within today's Orthodox community." Gil Student, blogger, "Hirhurim Musings""

When the leader of a venerable Torah academy passes away, a search committee begins to investigate two candidates, both serious and committed Torah scholars. However, the resemblance ends there. One, the previous leader's son, is a staunch traditionalist determined to keep to the old ways, while the other is a university graduate with a modern, open-minded perspective. The candidates hold opposing views about the role of the yeshiva, the ideals of Torah Judaism, the role of women in the community, and the future of Orthodoxy and the Jewish people. As they, their wives, colleagues, students, and donors address the Committee, a dramatic story emerges about the ways in which a traditional community may embrace or reject the modern world.