BEINONI

Christopher Gebauer narrates this story of Orthodox Jewish Ezra, the Chosen One, who has trained his whole life for two things: Yeshiva study and defeating a monster upon his bar mitzvah to ensure an age of peace. But strange events leading up to that fateful day make him question his mission. Gebauer excels at the indignant tones and youthful energy of preteen boys. Some of his Yiddish and Hebrew pronunciations seem noticeably off, like the word for Mom, "Ema." His Hebrew "ch" sounds in words like "Chorvos Hagoral" and "Chanukah" sound as forced. Adults and rabbinical elders are presented respectfully, yet they sound standoffish, which serves to make the listener sympathize with the desperation voiced by the youth as they ask to be listened to. S.S. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2025]