In One Fine Day the Rabbi Bought a Cross, a vacation to the Holy Land quickly becomes another opportunity for the rabbi to utilize his cool-headed wit. As a favor, the rabbi looks in on Jordan Goodman, son of Barnard’s Crossing’s favorite grocers. Jordan has adopted the beliefs of a fundamentalist Jewish group, and before long, he is the only suspect in a local murder.

Sunday the Rabbi Stayed Home portrays the unassuming Rabbi Small joyously preparing to celebrate Passover. However, the holiday season is marred when local violence, racism, and misplaced pride run amok. Miffed over the sanctuary’s new seating policy, several families are secretly planning to start their own temple in an unoccupied mansion in the country. When some teenagers break into the house for a party - and one ends up dead - the temple plot is interrupted.

The beloved president of the temple is resigning. A new president is chosen: a prominent businessman who is used to being obeyed. It’s not long before the rabbi’s adherence to tradition clashes with the new president’s requests. Meanwhile, a young man in Rabbi Small’s congregation has been arrested in a fatal hit-and-run accident. Can the rabbi maintain his position in the temple while helping the young man? Much depends on good luck.

For nearly 25 years, Rabbi Small has maintained an uneasy relationship with his congregation. He sees his role as that of a teacher, while they often look to him as more of a spiritual leader. Now, just as his congregation is set to reward him for his long service, the rabbi has decided to explore new options with his life. To make things more complicated, the recent murder of a college professor has the Barnard’s Crossing police baffled. Can the rabbi’s quiet introspection offer insights the police may have overlooked?

The adventures of Harry Kemelman’s unassuming hero have been hailed by critics and fans alike. Kemelman is celebrated for his absorbing plots and his warm and knowledgeable depiction of Jews and Judaism. Rabbi David Small must step into action when Barnard’s Crossings’ most notorious anti-Semite is found dead, and several members of his congregation are suspected. The murder victim is a cantankerous curmudgeon who has offended many members of this close-knit Jewish community.