Richard Codor’s Joyous Haggadah

Richard Codor’s Joyous Haggadah : The Illuminated Story of Passover. A concise modern Haggadah children’s haggadah, this is a great family haggadah for beginners or anyone who spends seder night with children. Illustrated in a cartoon style and written in a light humorous manner. Alan M. Tigay, Executive Editor, Hadassah Magazine:

No cartoonist can match Richard Codor for his whimsical sense of humor and his understanding of the Jewish world. His Haggadah promises to bridge the greatest divide in the Jewish world: between adults and children.

Peninnah Schram, storyteller and author of Jewish folktales

What a delightful romp through the seder via this Joyous Haggadah! The multi-layered narrative and rituals in this haggadah appeal to the eye, the imagination, the funny-bone, and the occasion. Beginning with the prequel of the Joseph story, continuing until the Israelites gain their freedom, and ending with more symbolic rituals and song, the combination of telling the story and conducting the seder is presented clearly with charming and wacky humor (in both words and visuals). The cartoon-like illustrations not only enhance the story but will also add to a memorable and joy-filled shared family experience! See details

Rashi’s Daughter, Secret Scholar

Rashi’s Daughter, Secret Scholar . Set in 11th-century Troyes, France, “Rashi’s Daughter” tells the story of Joheved, eldest daughter of Salomon ben Isaac, who is known as Rashi – one of the great medieval Jewish Bible commentators. At a time when women traditionally were barred from studying Jewish texts, Rashi secretly teaches first Joheved, then her sister Miriam. By day, Joheved helps in running the household and the family winemaking business, and by night she studies Talmud with her father. As she nears marriageable age, Joheved finds her mind and spirit awakened by religious study, but she must keep her passion for learning and prayer hidden. When she becomes betrothed to Meir ben Samuel, she is forced to choose between marital happiness and being true to her love of the Talmud.Note: This JPS YA title is adapted from the author’s adult title, “Rashi’s Daughters, Book I: Joheved”.

Because Nothing Looks Like God

Because Nothing Looks Like God. What is God like? Mixing sparks of curiosity and spiritual imagination, this wondrous book lights children’s creativity and shows how God is with us everyday, in every way.

In this, their first collaborative book, husband-and-wife team Lawrence and Karen Kushner combine their experience to help introduce children to the possibilities of spiritual life. Real-life examples of happiness and sadness-from goodnight stories, to the hope and fear felt the first time at bat, to the closing moments of someone’s life-invite parents and children to explore, together, the questions we all have about God, no matter what our age.

PreS-Gr 2-This gentle book is designed to be “the beginning of a continuing conversation between adults and children about the world and God.” Nonsectarian and multicultural, the text suggests a divine presence rather than anthropomorphizing, by utilizing simple questions such as “What does God look like?” and “How does God make things happen?” to guide youngsters’ understanding of this very abstract concept.

The Cure

The Cure. “You are a criminal, Gemm 16884–aggressive, hostile, nonconforming. We have noted tendencies toward diversity in your gait, in your dreams, and most especially in your repeated persistence in”–the Elder cleared his throat–”making music.”

Branded a deviant–and therefore a threat–to the utopian society of Conformity, Harmony, and Tranquility that exists in the year 2407, Gemm 16884 is given the choice between being recycled or undergoing a painful and mysterious cure. Gemm chooses the cure, and suddenly finds himself living the life of Johannes, a 16-year-old Jewish musician in starsbourg, Germany, in 1348, at the onset of the Black Death. As the pestilence spreads, the townspeople begin the accuse the Jews of causing the disease. Surrounded by hatred and horror, Johannes struggles to hold on to his family and faith as well as his belief in the basic goodness of human beings. But can he return to the future and become Gemm again after having known such emotions as pain. . .and love? See details

You Are SO Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah!

You Are SO Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah!
Grade 5-7–Stacy Friedman, 12, is in the midst of preparing for her Bat Mitzvah. For her, the mitzvah translates to three imminent concerns: to wear a $250 designer-label dress, to be popular with her friends, and to acquire a boyfriend. Add to her woes numerous misunderstandings with her friend Kelly and you might have a comedic, lighthearted novel. Unfortunately, this one reads like bad reality TV. While the author tries to be hip, her writing appears to be little more than one large advertising campaign for designer-label merchandise. In a poor imitation of Judy Blume’s Margaret, Rosenbloom’s protagonist speaks to God: Okay, God, we really, seriously, without a doubt need to have a one-on-one here. WHERE ARE YOU? While it is realistic that the 12th year of a Jewish girl’s life is stressful and that many cannot fully appreciate the religious concept behind this ceremony, Rosenbloom fails to create a rounded character who grows or awakens to at least some of the values and meaning behind the ritual. Instead, Stacy is flat and shallow and, in a sitcomlike climactic scene, realizes the importance of the day and makes an apologetic cell phone call to Kelly in the middle of her speech. She then resumes an adlib version of her understanding of the meaning of sacrifice and giving of yourself. Sarah Darer Littman’s Confessions of a Closet Catholic (Dutton, 2005) provides a much better view of Jewish values from a preteen’s witty perspective.–Rita Soltan, Youth Services Consultant, West Bloomfield, MI. See details