Jewish Holidays All Year Round: A Family Treasury

by Ilene Cooper, Jewish Museum, Elivia Savadier, Josh Feinberg, Elivia Savadier (Illustrator)

Overview

For Jewish people every year is punctuated by special days when families rejoice in a rich heritage, recall history, renew the spirit and remember what it means to be Jewish. This illustrated book introduces the richness of the Jewish tradition and the holy days that accompany all of the major Jewish festivals. It allows young readers to explore the true meaning of these special days. The traditions and history of each holy day are explained in simple, clear language, along with the ways in which the day is observed, both in the synagogue and at home. The book also looks at crafts (including a miniature sukkah) and recipes for the special foods eaten on these occasions. The book is illustrated with artwork and photographs from the Jewish Museum and with drawings by Elivia Savadier.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780810905504
Publisher:	ABRAMS
Publication date:	09/01/2002
Pages:	80
Sales rank:	494,556
Product dimensions:	8.75(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	3 Months to 18 Years

Editorial Reviews

HWritten by Booklist's children's book editor, abundantly illustrated with Savadier's (The Uninvited Guest: and Other Jewish Holiday Tales) playful watercolors as well as color photographs of art and artifacts from New York City's Jewish Museum, this book strikes a tone both child-friendly and respectful. As the author thoughtfully explores the history and significance of the holidays and festivals of the Jewish year, she succinctly links these to traditions and rituals. For example, after explaining Sukkot and identifying it as an inspiration for the Pilgrims' first Thanksgiving, she writes, "Today, each sukkah fragile... open to the sky and the rain reminds us that we eternally owe our thanks to God. The sukkah symbolizes our need for God's shelter." Instructions for holiday activities (crafts, recipes, etc.) are also included. Almost every page features at least one illustration, from a view of an 18th-century Galician Torah crown to a contemporary photo of a Harlem congregation blowing long, twisty shofars to a 1910 Rosh Hashanah "card" carved on a walrus tusk in Nome, Alaska. Savadier's vignettes, mostly of busy, happy people, underscore the liveliness of Jewish faith. All ages. (Sept.) Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Publishers Weekly

Gr 3-5-Cooper introduces 13 Jewish holidays, details how they are celebrated at home and at the synagogue, and presents related recipes and activities. Beautifully illustrated with photos of culturally significant objects and paintings as well as child-friendly, pen-and-ink pictures, this welcoming volume is just right for sharing. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

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