Rachelle Burk’s picture book biography, DIVING DEEP FOR ROSH HASHANAH: TASHLICH FOR A BETTER WORLD (Intergalactic Afikoman, 2026), illustrated by Craig Orback, tells the story of scuba diver Rabbi Ed Rosenthal, who honors Tashlich in a unique, environmentally conscious way. While Tashlich traditionally entails throwing items into water, Rabbi Ed’s students encourage the creation of a Reverse Tashlich, which involves cleaning up and removing trash from under the sea. The story is unique and inspiring, emphasizing Jewish values that tie into environmental conscientiousness. Craig Orback’s realistic illustrations depict Rabbi Ed Rosenthal’s journey from childhood to becoming a scuba diving rabbi and beyond. Both the story and the under the sea illustrations will surely engage readers.

Welcome back, Rachelle!

Tell me how you learned about Rabbi Ed and his unique Tashlich practice? 

A few years ago, I wrote Space Torah: Astronaut Jeffrey Hoffman’s Cosmic Mitzvah—a true adventure picture book set in space. Next came Passover on Everest, the story of a mother-daughter climbing team who held a Seder on the world’s highest peak. As a scuba diver, I knew my next picture book had to dive into a true, Jewish-themed ocean adventure. I searched and searched, but couldn’t find a story. The illustrator of the first two books, Craig Orback, was very keen to do a third together, and through his own research, found the story of Rabbi Ed and the organization Repair the Sea. I studied the website, and was especially intrigued about the history and growth of the new Rosh Hashanah tradition of Reverse Tashlich. That became the central theme of the book Diving Deep On Rosh Hashanah.

In your research for the book did you learn anything interesting you’d like to share that didn’t make it into the final book? 

I learned so many things that didn’t make it into the book. However, one thing did fit into the backmatter: After the growing success of Reverse Tashlich for Rosh Hashanah, Repair the Sea created a new Passover tradition. They reimagined the Passover ritual of Bedikat Chametz “searching for crumbs” to prepare our home for the holiday, by creating Bedikat HaMayim, “searching the water” and cleaning up beaches, rivers, and lakes to get ready for Passover. The holiday Tu B’shvat also provides opportunities to plant mangrove trees to protect coasts against erosion, and to plant corals to aid in reef stepper restoration. You can learn more at RepairtheSea.org.

What were your thoughts when you saw the illustrations by Craig Orback? Do you have a favorite illustration?

I have long been a big fan of Craig’s beautifully detailed, well researched illustrations and he did not disappoint in this book! 

I adore the wordless spread that shows one discarded plastic bottle working its way from the street, into a gutter, then a river, and finally the ocean. This creation became the end pages and is one of my favorites. I also love the first page that blends reality with fantasy–it shows a young Ed Rosenthal watching the Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau on TV, and imagines sea creatures swimming throughout his living room. That same fantasy element sneaks its way into the page where Ed is talking to his congregation, encouraging them to picture themselves as part of the ocean.

Have you ever been scuba diving? 

I completed my 350th dive in Indonesia this past spring! As I write this, I’ve just arrived in Florida and will be scuba diving with Rabbi Ed. We will be recording an underwater book reading, which might just be the first ever of its kind!

What do you hope young readers take away from the book?

I would like young readers to see how Rosh Hashanah’s call to reflect and repair can inspire meaningful action. By removing trash from beaches, rivers, lakes, and oceans through the new Reverse Tashlich tradition, we can put Jewish values into practice, care for our waterways, and help make a real difference for our planet.

Thank you, Rachelle!

Rachelle Burk loves extreme adventures. She is a scuba diver, caver, and the author of more than twenty-five fiction and nonfiction books for children. She visits schools around the country.

Tagged biography, Intergalactic Afikoman, nonfiction, picture book, Rachelle Burk