If you’re intrigued by a novel that mixes Jewish themes and time travel, consider Soul Mission by Joshua Becker, an author with Milwaukee roots. The novel was published in March 2025 by Evolved Publishing, based in Butler.
Becker, originally from Brown Deer, lived in the Milwaukee area for many years and attended Chabad of the East-Side. His parents, and most of his family, remain in the Milwaukee area. Four years ago, Becker moved to New Jersey for his son’s education.
“Soul Mission” had three main “springboards,” according to Becker. The novel “Kindred,” by Octavia Butler; a story from Baal Shem Tov, the person who started the Hasidic movement, about one of his followers, Wolff Kitzis; and a prompt from a graduate writing program at Mount Mary University, in Milwaukee.
The prompt was to write a story about being locked up and unable to get out. Becker wrote a scene based on his mentor’s library, which ultimately became incorporated into “Soul Mission.” “I was the only Jewish person in the class and I remember thinking to myself: ‘Who’s going to like this story, who will relate to it?’” Becker said. “I was shocked and surprised that students took to it very well.”
Becker took over 10 years to finish writing “Soul Mission,” which is now available on Amazon. After facing rejections from publishers, Becker shelved the book and chose not to pursue further. Until he happened to connect with a professional editor who gave an objective opinion and encouraged him to continue pursuing publication.
Becker found intrinsic motivation to keep writing the novel. “It was just something from within that prompted me to keep [going],” he said. “Writing just feels good for my soul. When I don’t write, I feel like something is missing. Something I really can’t even commit to words. It just feels right when I write.”
He didn’t publish the novel with an explicit message in mind to share with the world. “Certain themes started recurring as the writing process went on; it was a journey that unfolded as I wrote.” Becker said.
The plot is inspired by mitzvot, finding strength in Judaism, and self-discovery. It has been well received by Jews and non-Jews, he said. “The novel is really intended for a wider mainstream audience. It’s about the shared human experience. There’s so many entry points for diverse people to get into the book,” Becker said.
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About ‘Soul Mission’
Some people think other faiths believe in reincarnation and we don’t. But some of the rabbis say each person’s soul inhabits different bodies throughout different eras. Because in each of those lifetimes, there are certain mitzvahs to accomplish. So long as those mitzvot are not accomplished, that same soul has to continue reincarnating. So too it is with our main character Ephraim. He must travel to past lifetimes to either rectify wrongs from those eras, or to positively impact others. The novel is available on Amazon.
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