Jonathan Stone

Jonathan Stone (born 1956, Pittsburgh, PA), (The Prison Minyan [pb, Lightning Books, 2022] 978-1785632754 [Note: In this novel, a colorful group of Jewish white-collar criminals find themselves serving time at Otisville, a real-life federal prison in upstate New York known for its kosher amenities. Otisville is portrayed as a relatively comfortable “penitentiary of choice” for Jewish offenders. The inmates have gamed the system to enjoy a peaceful routine centered around a kosher deli and their daily “minyan” — a prayer and study group where they debate Talmudic ethics.

The status quo is shattered by the arrival of a celebrity inmate, “The Pisk” (a character based on Michael Cohen), whose presence draws unwanted attention from the 45th President of the United States.To punish the newcomer, the White House enforces a “toughened regime,” stripping the inmates of their comforts, including their beloved rugelach and blintzes. When shadowy forces attempt to assassinate the celebrity inmate (a move the book refers to as “Epsteining” him), a visiting poetry professor, Deborah Liston, accidentally witnesses the plot and ends up in mortal danger. The fraudsters, forgers, bigamists and tax evaders of the minyan must use their unique criminal skills to outmaneuver the authorities, protect the outsider, and decide if they are willing to risk their own safety for a higher moral cause. 

Key Characters

The Minyan Members: A group of “miscreants” including Phil Steinerman (blood testing fraud), Marty Adler (matrimonial fraud), and Rabbi Morton Meyerson (embezzlement).

The Pisk: The high-profile snitch whose arrival triggers the White House’s revenge.

Deborah Liston: A poetry professor who helps the men find their spiritual depth.

Big Willie: A non-Jewish guard who has supervised so many services he can chant in Hebrew.] [Google/AI]