Comments (0)There was a time that American Jews could assume that all American Jews were alike—Ashkenazi, in-married, synagogue-affiliated and unfailingly dedicated to Israel.
Times have changed and Jewish children’s literature has responded with a series of new books that celebrate our diversity while encouraging a deep connection to Judaism and Israel.
”Hanukkah Moon”
In “Hanukkah Moon” by Deborah da Costa (Kar Ben Publishing), Isobel discovers some of her Sephardi roots when she spends a few days with her Aunt Luisa, who just arrived from Mexico.
Before arriving at her aunt’s home, Isobel’s parents assure her that not only will Luisa know how to celebrate Chanukah like them but she will also mark the “Hanukkah Moon.” Isobel is intrigued.
Indeed, during her visit, Isobel not only forms a connection with her aunt and celebrates Chanukah with latkes, sufganiyot and dreidel-shaped cookies, but she also learns some of her aunt’s secrets.
Rich in its simplicity and gentleness, “Hanukkah Moon” shows an interaction with the natural world that is often absent in Jewish Chanukah books. It captures those moments of childhood that are magical with discovery and precious newness.
Intended for children ages 6-10, this book highlights a little-known Latin-Jewish custom. The swirling full-color illustrations add to the story’s sweetness, fun and wide-eyed creativity.
”The Power of Song”
Sephardic culture is brought to the pages of another new book of stories called “The Power of Song and Other Sephardic Tales” (Jewish Publication Society). Collected from Jews of Iberian descent by the Israel Folktales Archives and retold by Rita Roth, the stories are the perfect centerpiece for family storytelling.
The title story features a king and his son, who seemingly cannot learn even the aleph-bet. The king travels throughout the kingdom and tries countless teachers before beginning to lose hope. The solution comes from a shining-faced stranger (the prophet Elijah, we are told after the story), who teaches through music.
Each story in the collection transmits values, such as friendship, modesty, the triumph of good and generosity over evil and selfishness. An explanation after each tale reveals its historical roots. Thus readers are taken on a ride through Jewish Mediterranean history.
This book will stay in my family’s collection. As my children outgrow picture books, they remain interested and engaged in stories told aloud and together.
”Always an Olivia”
Young readers ages 7-10 are taken on a historical journey through the Spanish Inquisition to Morocco and eventually to North America as one family flees persecution.
In “Always an Olivia: A Remarkable Family History” by Carolivia Herron (Kar Ben Publishing), Carol Olivia listens as her black grandmother tells her stories of their family’s Jewish origins.
To honor their Jewish roots, one daughter in each generation is named Olivia, from the Hebrew Shulamit, which means “peace.” Apparently the author is part of that chain.
A story of persecution and suffering, “Always an Olivia” underlines one family’s perseverance and the winding paths Jews have been forced to take throughout time.
This one ends in a place that may be surprising to many Ashkenzi readers—in a black American home. The full-color illustrations by Jeremy Tugeau are sweeping and appealing, drawing readers deep into the family’s journey.
”Papa Jethro”
Another story shares our community’s diverse family roots, this time through a Jewish grandchild’s talks with her Christian grandfather in “Papa Jethro” by Deborah Bodin Cohen with illustrations by Jane Dippold (Kar Ben Publishing).
Rachel loves her Grandpa Nick. They play hide-and-seek, paint with watercolors, play with model trains, go to the park and, at night, she sits on his lap and they talk.
Her questions about their different religions lead to the biblical story of Moses and his Midianite wife Zipporah. The Midianite Jethro and his Jewish grandson Gershom provides a parallel to their own relationship.
The book does confront the perhaps confusing connections that can be created by having a family with more than one faith. And it provides a safe conversation for grandchildren facing the “December dilemma,” who may celebrate Christmas with one set of grandparents but Chanukah at home.
This story deals with interfaith families with sensitivity, using love and respect as its totem.
”The Boy from Seville”
Kar Ben, publisher of “Always an Olivia” for children ages 7-10, brings the Spanish Inquisition to life for children ages 10-13 in “The Boy from Seville” by Dorit Orgad.
A 200-page historical novel, “The Boy from Seville” follows Manuel, whose father recently revealed to him their Jewish identity as “New Christians,” Jews who were forced to convert to Christianity.
Manuel’s family, like other anusim (Hebrew for “those forced to convert”), attend church and hang pictures of saints in their homes. But they secretly practice Judaism.
They hide the special cleaning they do before Shabbat. They travel far from the city to build their sukkah and spend the week outside, eating and sleeping and worrying about their fate.
The book is engaging and gives a palpable sense of the constant tension and fear that must have defined the lives of anusim. And it allows children a gentle glimpse into that dark period of Jewish history.
Translated from Hebrew, the book won Italy’s Verghereto Prize for the best children’s book of 2006.
”A Mezuzah on the Door”
Closer to home, “A Mezuzah on the Door” (Kar Ben Publishing) by Amy Meltzer shows subtle diversity among American Jews in cities and suburbs.
Children growing up in suburban areas that are population centers for the Jewish community can be seduced by their bubble into believing that all Jews are suburban and every family looks like theirs.
“A Mezuzah on the Door” is a sweet little story for preschoolers about a family moving from the city to a house in the suburbs. The young son Noah has trouble sleeping because of the quiet; he misses his neighbors—Mrs. Feldman’s washing (and breaking) dishes, Mr. Gollis’ sneezing, and Maya’s seemingly never-ending violin practice.
His family celebrates their move with a chanukat ha’bayit, a Jewish home dedication in which they hang their mezuzot and recite blessings with friends.
At the ceremony, Noah asks his mother why friends are kissing the mezuzah as they pass through the front door. She answers: “Some people do it to remind them of the mitzvoth, God’s commandments. Others do it because they think of the mezuzah as a sign of God’s protection.
“And some people do it because it is a custom in their families. They have seen their parents and grandparents do it. When I touch a mezuzah, I feel like I’m holding hands with everyone else who has touched it.”
Noah finds comfort in this answer, and a connection to his friends in the city as he begins his new life in the suburbs.
”What Makes Someone a Jew?”
How do Jews look? A new book for children ages 3-6 helps answer that question. “What Makes Someone Jewish” by Lauren Seidman, gives a rhyming, colorful and embracing answer.
The book is illustrated with swaths of color and photographs of Jewish children of all colors, backgrounds and cultures. Through catchy rhymes, readers learn about Jews’ wanderings and about people choosing Judaism.
It mostly imparts a feel-good message about inclusion, that living Jewishly means “being kind to the people around you, studying the Torah and learning some Hebrew.”
The bottom line, though, the book tells readers, is doing good deeds; and the contents of your heart are the real measuring stick of your Jewishness.
Elana Kahn-Oren is the editor of The Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle.