I Am Hava: A Song's Story of Love, Hope & Joy

by Freda Lewkowicz, Siona Benjamin (Illustrator)

Overview

Experience the story of the world's most famous Jewish song, as told by the song herself.

In her spare, poetic text, Freda Lewkowicz has personified the song of Hava Nagila and made her the narrator of her own story, known simply as "Hava." Renowned Indian-American Jewish illustrator Siona Benjamin, who is known for her blue characters, draws Hava as a young blue girl in a sari. Follow Hava as she spreads joy and hope throughout the world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781951365066
Publisher:	Intergalactic Afikoman
Publication date:	11/02/2021
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	589,933
Product dimensions:	10.00(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.25(d)
Age Range:	7 - 8 Years

About the Author

Freda Lewkowicz was born in Montreal, Quebec where her parents, Holocaust survivors, sought refuge after the war. Her picture books include I AM HAVA and OLIVER SOLIVER.

Siona Benjamin grew up as a Bene Israel Jew in multicultural India. Today Siona lives in New Jersey, and her work has been exhibited around the world. Learn more at www.artsiona.com

Editorial Reviews

★ 2021-09-29
The origin of the beloved song “Hava Nagila” is fascinating and somewhat mysterious.

The song tells its own tale in the persona of Hava, a magical, blue-skinned woman wearing a blue-and-white robe that represents the colors of Israel and Judaism. She floats above the events as a gentle, benevolent spirit spreading hope and joy as a blessing, her mitzvah, for the Jewish people. The song evolves from a niggun, a wordless melody that was hummed in a village synagogue in the Ukraine. Many Jews escaping a difficult and dangerous life, including some from this shtetl, migrated to Jerusalem, their ancient home, where the melody was heard by a renowned musicologist. He is believed to be the most likely creator of the Hebrew lyrics known today. Hava declares the powerful words of “Hava Nagila” a miracle, a gift from Hashem, God, for they speak of rejoicing and celebrating, no matter the trying circumstances of life. Hava travels across the ocean to America accompanied by the dance Hora, a fellow blue spirit. There, the song is embraced and recorded by many, sometimes-unlikely, singers, reaching a wide audience. Benjamin’s lovingly rendered illustrations move and dance across the pages with the music. The essential Jewishness of the song and its amazing longevity and universal appeal across nations and cultures resonate throughout the tale.

Come and rejoice and sing out the heartfelt words to this anthem of hope. (glossary, author’s note, illustrator’s note, photo) (Picture book. 5-10)

Kirkus Reviews