[COMMUNICATED CONTENT] The idea of From Their Daughters’ Hearts – even its title – came about after I interviewed Rebbitzen Scheine Brog about her father, Rav Avigdor Miller. This concept of getting “closeup” views of what it was like growing up in the homes of gadolim or askanim was something I felt passionately could inspire us all – men, women, teens and children – in ways that even those who don’t usually read biographies could enjoy.

A few days later, as my husband and I drove up to the mountains for visiting day, we compiled a list of “daughters” who we hoped would agree to do it… and baruch Hashem, three years later, we now have From Their Daughters’ Hearts!

In the book we don’t only get to hear interesting biographical information directly from the “daughters,” we also get glimpses inside the homes they grew up in. The stories are warm, personal and real, as each daughter shares the challenges and rewards of growing up in the home of a Jewish leader. We get to see that the gadol or askan wasn’t just accomplished on the “outside,” his greatness was constant and consistent at home with those closest to him… his wife and children. We also discover the “smaller” acts of greatness done with love within the home.

It wasn’t always easy getting a “yes” from the daughter of a great man, but baruch Hashem, every daughter was happy to have done it. I always felt the warmth of each “daughter,” whether we were sitting across the table from each other in the interviewee’s kitchen or speaking across the continent or across the ocean. As each daughter reminisced, her love and respect for her parents came through vividly, as did the many lessons she shared. It was a huge treat for me when during the interview they sometimes sang songs and hummed tunes they grew up with. I was unable to share those tunes with the readers, but I hope those nostalgic and holy melodies somehow were conveyed onto the pages. A special treat that I was able to share were over 140 photographs the daughters gave me, many of which came directly from their family albums to us and had never been published before.

One of the most beautiful things readers have shared with me is that they love the way each daughter’s voice comes through in her unique way, making each chapter exciting and distinctive.