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THE CEILING

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Open Up a Portal to the Past by Bringing A Piece of Jewish History Into Your Home!
A breathtaking art book inspired by the lost wooden synagogues of Eastern Europe, with stunning illustrations and rich storytelling.

100 First Edition Hardcovers Available.

Mr. Shapiro’s artwork in The Ceiling that is based on the painting of the Gwoździec Synagogue Ceiling and Bimah in the POLIN Museum of the History of the Polish Jews
is used with the kind permission of Handshouse Studio, Inc., Norwell, Massachusetts. The Work is Copyright © 2013 by Handshouse Studio, Inc. All rights reserved.

How to Get Your Gift Copy of THE CEILING

Click here to make a Direct Donation.
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Accidental Talmudist

See details on SHIPPING & RETURNS below.

Why Accidental Talmudist?

Accidental Talmudist is a Jewish outreach platform that shares the ancient wisdom of the Jewish people with a large and diverse worldwide audience.
I hold deep respect for Sal and Nina’s creative partnership, their unwavering integrity, and their long-standing commitment to Jewish learning and values.
Their mission — making Jewish wisdom accessible, meaningful, and alive — aligns beautifully with the
purpose and spirit of THE CEILING.
Support of Accidental Talmudist allows this work to reach and resonate with others who feel a deep connection to Torah and the Jewish people.

Nina & Sal Litvak

Accidental Talmudist is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization.
Donations are 100% tax-deductible to the extent
allowed by law.
No goods or services were provided in exchange for
this contribution, other than this publication, which
has no assigned fair market value.

About THE CEILING

A Journey Through Time & Art

THE CEILING is a beautiful and unique book that will delight adults and children of all ages.

It tells the true story of Isaac and Israel, two artists in 18th century Poland who painted a spectacular ceiling mural in a wooden synagogue in the town of Gwoździec.

“This is a book you’ll want to read and flip through over and over again.

This enthralling book features gorgeous artwork and charming rhymed verse that children will love. It is also a heartfelt tribute to the lost world of Jewish life in pre-Holocaust Poland.

THE CEILING includes fascinating information about life in the shtetl as well as profound Torah teachings and prayers.”

Nina Litvak, Screenwriter

This picture book features delightful fold-up pages that allow the reader to lift and reveal the interior of a legendary synagogue.

Illustrated by renowned artist Boris Shapiro, this masterpiece captures the vibrant world of Eastern European Jewish heritage.

About the Author

Wanda Peretz

An artist and researcher, Wanda spent a decade bringing her first book, THE CEILING to life.

She is passionate about Jewish art and history and loves finding creative ways to express the joy in Judaism.

In 2025, as one of JewishGen’s Project Coordinators, she raised funds for the English translation of the Gwozdziec Yizkor Book. This year, Wanda is excited to be partnering with Accidental Talmudist, Sal and Nina Litvak’s unique platform of Jewish wisdom and tradition.

About the Illustrator

Boris Shapiro

Renowned for his depictions of Jewish shtetl life, Boris’ artwork captures the essence of 17th-century Jewish communities with stunning detail and emotion.

His style is often fantastical, focusing on family and community, biblical themes, and the celebration of the Sabbath, weddings, and Jewish holidays.

The History behind
THE CEILING

The wooden synagogues of Eastern Europe, built between the 17th-19th centuries, were magnificent cultural and religious landmarks, blending Jewish and local architectural styles.

Although all were destroyed by the end of World War II, the prayer halls ceilings of these synagogues live on through historical reconstructions at the ANU Museum in Tel Aviv, Israel and the POLIN Museum in Warsaw, Poland.

THE CEILING now adds enchanting visual and poetic connections to lives of the artists and a Jewish community that once thrived in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

Photograph of the ceiling and bimah of the reconstructed Gwoździec synagogue
in the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw, Poland.
Photographers: Magdalena Starowieyska and Dariusz Golik.
Reconstruction by Handshouse Studio, Inc.
Used pursuant to Creative Commons License CC BY-SA 3.0 (www. rb.gy/k9f40i)

What Draws People to
THE CEILING?

“THE CEILING is more than a children’s book, and more than an art book. It is a treasure that should be on the coffee table of every Jewish family on earth.
It is a precious link to our bygone, pre-Holocaust past in Eastern Europe, and a portal to the World of Souls to which we’re all headed, God willing. It is a tapestry of color and light and joy. It literally unfolds as its story unfolds, and I have never seen anything like it.
BUY THIS BOOK!”

Salvador Litvak
Director of Guns & Moses,
Influencer at Accidental Talmudist, Author of Let My People
Laugh: Greatest Jewish Jokes of All Time!

“It is awe-inspiring to witness the dedication and passion Wanda Peretz has poured into this book.
The intricate connections she uncovers—between Boris Shapiro, the Gwozdziec Synagogue, and its 300-year-old artistic legacy—are truly fascinating.”

Marc Michael Epstein
Professor of Religion & Visual Culture
on the Mackie M. Paschall (1899) & Norman Davis Chair
Director of Jewish Studies Vassar College

“It’s truly one of the most gorgeous picture books I’ve ever seen and as a children’s librarian, I have seen a lot!”

Rae Shagalov
Retired School Librarian

“THE CEILING is a beautiful and unique book that will delight adults and children of all ages. It tells the true story of Isaac and Israel, two artists in 18th century Poland who painted a spectacular ceiling mural in a wooden synagogue in the town of Gwoździec.

This enthralling book features gorgeous artwork and charming rhymed text that children will love. It is also a heartfelt tribute to the lost world of Jewish life in pre-Holocaust Poland. THE CEILING includes fascinating information about life in the shtetl as well as profound Torah teachings and prayers.

This is a book you’ll want to read and flip through over and over again.”

Nina Litvak
Screenwriter

Make THE CEILING
part of your collection today!

Includes free worldwide shipping & a personalized Thank-You letter from the Author.

Shipping & Return Details

Please ensure that all information is correct to guarantee smooth delivery.
Your book will be packed with care and sent soon after I receive notification and your contact and shipping information from Accidental Talmudist.
Shipments follow the regulations of the chosen carrier, and delivery times may vary by country.
A tracking number will be sent to the Contact Email provided.
While I strive to ship promptly, my personal travel schedule or unforeseen circumstances may cause delays. If that happens, I will keep you updated by email.

International Shipping

Customs clearance times vary, and any duties, taxes, or fees assessed by the destination country are the recipient’s responsibility.

Returns Policy

To protect the special feature of folding pages, each copy of THE CEILING is shrink-wrapped.
For this reason, once the shrink-wrap is removed, the book is no longer eligible for return.
If your book arrived damaged, DO NOT REMOVE PROTECTIVE PLASTIC SHRINK-WRAP.
Please send a photograph of the damaged book to wandaperetzauthor@gmail.com and provide your
Name and Contact information. Another copy will be sent as soon as possible.