Pirates & Privateers: David Sherrin's Books

Sam, a young lad who lives in Amsterdam in the late 1500s, wants to pursue two occupations when he grows up. Being a rabbi will follow in his father’s footsteps. His weekly interactions with sailors make him long for life at sea . . . as a pirate.

During one of their weekly visits to the docks, he and his father encounter a hungry boy with red hair. His father counsels Sam about helping and caring for strangers, and they give the lad fresh bread. When at dinner that evening, Sam announces his decision. Rather than dissuade him, his father agrees that being aboard a ship is fun, but helping others is important both to them and oneself.

Sam actually becomes a well-respected rabbi who helps his community as well as his friends who go to sea. One day, the prince asks for Rabbi Sam’s help. Pirates have seized a Dutch ship and are holding hostages. The prince wants Rabbi Sam to suggest a way to rescue them. Instead of just giving advice, Rabbi Sam volunteers to go to sea himself, and he and his sailor friends, as well as members of the synagogue, set sail to search for and rescue the hostages.

The Pirate Rabbi is based on Samuel Pallache’s life as a merchant, religious leader, and pirate rabbi. The story, written for young pirates aged five to eight, is a captivating tale filled with adventure and the message of helping others. The colorful illustrations are realistic and provide an excellent mirror to the story. Together, they offer young pirates a noteworthy introduction to Jews and to pirates, without the blood, violence, and prejudice that is often entwined with pirate tales and which have roles in the true story of this pirate. At the end of the story, Sherrin summarizes what is known about the real pirate rabbi and offers a few fun facts about pirates. This is a great book for parents to read with their children, and even adult pirates will learn along the way.

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