Frankel, Ellen 1951–

PERSONAL: Born May 22, 1951, in New York, NY; daughter of David (a certified public accountant) and Ann Frankel; married Herb Levine (a professor and nonprofit executive), August 3, 1975; children: Sarah, Les. Education: University of Michigan, B.A., 1973; Princeton University, Ph.D., 1978. Religion: Jewish.

ADDRESSES: Home—Philadelphia, PA. Office—Jewish Publication Society, 2100 Arch St., Philadelphia, PA 19103; fax: 215-568-2017.

CAREER: Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, PA, teacher of literature and writing, 1977–79; Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, teacher of literature and writing, 1979–80; Millersville University, Millersville, PA, teacher of literature, writing, and linguistics, 1981; freelance writer, 1981–. Teacher of creative writing classes at schools in Lancaster and Lebanon Counties, 1979–85; Lancaster Jewish Day School, Judaic principal, 1988–89; teacher of writing workshops for educators, administrators, and business professionals; storyteller and lecturer at college campuses, schools, community centers, and other similar venues. B'nai B'rith Book Club, editor, 1990; Jewish Publication Society, editor in chief, 1991–, chief executive officer, 1998–; member of Jewish Book Council Board.

WRITINGS:

Choosing to Be Chosen (stories for children), Ktav Publishing House (Jersey City, NJ), 1985.

George Washington and the Constitution (juvenile), Bantam (New York, NY), 1987.

The Classic Tales: 4,000 Years of Jewish Lore, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 1989.

(With Betsy Teutsch) The Encyclopedia of Jewish Symbols, Jason Aronson (Northvale, NJ), 1992.

(With daughter, Sarah Levine) Tell It like It Is: Tough Choices for Today's Teens, Ktav Publishing House (Jersey City, NJ), 1995.

The Five Books of Miriam: A Woman's Commentary on the Torah, Putnam (New York, NY), 1996.

(Editor) The Jewish Spirit: A Celebration in Stories and Art, Stewart, Tabori & Chang (New York, NY), 1997.

The Illustrated Hebrew Bible: 75 Selected Stories, Stewart, Tabori & Chang (New York, NY), 1999.

Work represented in anthologies, including Chosen Tales and Taking the Fruit: Women's Midrash; contributor to My People's Prayerbook, Jewish Lights (Woodstock, VT), 1999–. Series editor, "Folktales of the Jews," Jewish Publication Society (Philadelphia, PA), 2006–. Contributor of articles, poetry, and short stories to print and Internet periodicals, including Judaism, Moment, Shofar, Jerusalem Report, and Sh'ma.

Some of Frankel's writings have been published in Hebrew.

ADAPTATIONS: Some of Frankel's poetry was set to music for chorus and orchestra by Andrea Clearfield and performed as The Golem Psalms, 2006.