An Etrog from Across the Sea

by Deborah Bodin Cohen, Kerry Olitzky, Book Buddy Digital Media (Read by)

Overview

Praise for An Etrog from Across the Sea by Deborah Bodin Cohen and Kerry Olitzky, illustrated by Stacey Dressen McQueen:

Sydney Taylor Book Award Winner

Papa has promised to bring home a perfect etrog for Sukkot from his journey across the sea. Leah and Aaron go to the docks every day to wait for his ship. But Rosh Hashanah passes, then Yom Kippur, and still Papa's ship doesn't arrive. Grandpapa Luis comforts Leah with a beautiful silver etrog cup, but will her papa return in time for Sukkot, bringing the promised etrog?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798765646441
Publisher:	Lerner Publishing Group
Publication date:	08/06/2024
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
File size:	84 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	8 - 9 Years

About the Author

Rabbi Deborah Bodin Cohen is the author of many award-winning children's books including Sydney Taylor Award Winner, An Etrog from Across the Sea. She lives in Maryland with her husband and three children.
Rabbi Kerry Olitzky led Big Tent Judaism and has taught at Hebrew Union College. A leader in the development of innovative Jewish education, he is the author of nearly 100 books including Sydney Taylor Award Winner, An Etrog from Across the Sea.

Editorial Reviews

"This book reinforces the importance of Jewish traditions and family for Jewish children at a time in America when there is rising anti-Semitism." —Children's Literature

From the Publisher

2024-05-17
A Jewish family in colonial New York hopes Papa will come back in time for Sukkot.

In July 1729, Leah, Aaron, and Mama wait for Papa, a merchant currently on the island of Corsica, to return to their woodland homestead. The Jewish holidays are approaching, and Papa has promised to bring home an etrog, a citrus fruit resembling a bumpy lemon. (This fruit is one of four plants used to decorate a sukkah, a small hut built by observant Jews to celebrate Sukkot.) The family travels to Grandpapa Luis’ elegant New York City home to await Papa’s ship; it doesn’t come. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur pass; still, Papa doesn’t return. At last, Mama declares it’s time they leave; she must run their business. Grandpapa Luis gives Leah a silver cup; she can put the etrog into it when Papa finally comes back. Back home, the family builds and decorates their sukkah and waits. The first night of Sukkot is especially joyous: Papa returns, bringing his promised bounty. This touching story, written by two rabbis, offers a glimpse into a lesser-known aspect of colonial America and celebrates the warmth of family togetherness. The authors’ note explains that Grandpapa Luis is based on Luis Moises Gomez, a Sephardic Jewish colonial merchant and trader. The lovely, stylized illustrations expertly capture historical details and resemble delicate paintings on porcelain or needlework on embroidery samplers.

A homey, appealing holiday celebration. (Picture book. 5-8)

Kirkus Reviews