Celebrate Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, and Simchat Torah
In 2011, Sukkot, a Jewish holiday, begins on October 13th and continues for seven days. The holiday commemorates the Israelites' wandering in the desert for forty years after their Exodus from Egypt. The word Sukkot means "booths" and refers to the temporary dwellings the Israelites lived in while in the desert.
Shemini Atzeret (October 20, 2011) immediately follows Sukkot. The name means the "assembly of the eighth day" and is often mistaken for being part of Sukkot. Historically, it is believed this holiday was devoted to the ritual cleansing of the alter in the Temple. Now it is celebrated by attending synagogue.
Simchat Torah (October 21, 2011) which means "rejoicing in the Torah," marks the end of Torah readings that take place weekly in synagogue. After this day, the readings begin all over at the first chapter. This holiday is noted for its lively readings, singing, and dancing around synagogue, and encourages youth participation. Simchat Torah is meant to remind Jews that that the Torah is a circle, and never ends.
For information about Tishrei, the first month of the Jewish year, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tishrei
For further resources vist:
http://www.myjewishlearning.com/holidays/Jewish_Holidays/Sukkot.shtml
Contributor: Emily Griffin
Reviews
Bubbe Isabella and the Sukkot Cake
Kelly Terwilliger
Illustrations by Phyllis Hornung
This is a most appealing book, both because of the charming pictures and because of the delicious story. On Sukkot, Jewish families build a temporary booth outside to recall the ancient days when farmers lived in their fields while they harvested their crops. The main mitzvah, commandment, is to eat in the sukkah, so Bubbe Isabella decides to build one and use her delicious lemon cake to attract guests. However, the guests she gets aren't quite the ones she has in mind, and the lemon cake isn't what gets their attention. What will happen to the sukkah? What will happen to the cake? How will Bubbe Isabella weather the unexpected turn of events? Of course everything turns out better than could be expected, else what kind of a story would this be? With wonderfully executed pictures, done in beautiful colorations and details, this softcover book could be subtitled, "How to Laugh Through Anything and Come Out Ahead" and will be a welcome addition to the fall holiday literature for little ones. 2005, Kar-Ben, Ages 3 to 8, $6.95. Reviewer: Judy Chernak (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 1-58013-128-X
Bundle of Trouble: A Rebecca Mystery
Kathryn Reiss
Illustrated by Sergio Giovine
Rebecca Rubin, the Lower East Side American Girl, is back in this story about family, friendships, and pranks gone awry. The Rubin family has new neighbors in their apartment house. The Brodskys have moved to a larger, sunnier apartment because Mrs. Brodsky is losing her sight due to a virulent eye disease called trachoma. Mr. Brodsky works multiple jobs to pay the rent, so the couple is happy to have eleven year old Rebecca baby sit their infant daughter, Nora. However, on an excursion to the park, Rebecca suspects that the child has been switched for the look-alike sister of her new Italian friend, Francesca. Riddled with guilt, Rebecca confides her problem to her mother who brushes her worries aside. However, Rebecca is intent on reclaiming Nora and stumbles on a real kidnap plan in the process. Even though Rebecca puts herself in significant danger to turn the kidnappers over to the police, her family celebrates her heroism with a party in their Sukkah. As in other Rebecca Rubin stories, her family seems better off than their tenement neighbors do and relatively homogenized in their Jewish practice. The fact that the story occurs in the fall and culminates in the celebration of Sukkot, a harvest festival, is entirely incidental to the story and seems tacked on to the tale of Rebecca's sleuthing. The Rubin's lack of real concern over Rebecca's close call with abduction seems improbable. The basic story of the baby switch is engaging and should entertain young readers, but it might be best used as an object lesson in responsibility and "stranger danger" for contemporary readers. 2011, American Girl Publishing, $6.95. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Lois Rubin Gross (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781593697549
The House on the Roof: A Sukkot Story
David A. Adler
Illustrated by Marilyn Hirsh
An old man works hard to build a Sukkah on the roof of his apartment building much to the displeasure of his landlady. He starts by bringing heavy crates up the stairs and hauls them up several flights amidst the admonitions of the landlady not to scratch the paint in the stairwell. He next collects leaves and acorns and is again warned not to drop anything for fear that someone might slip. Next he collects, more crates, magazines, bottles and branches all of which the building owner considers to be junk. He works hard, hammering, sewing and until one day he brings his grandchildren to his building and up the stairs to the building roof. To the amazement of all, he has created a hut complete with tablecloth, candlesticks, chains of leaves and acorns and the walls made from the crates are covered with pictures from the magazines. Then there was a delicious feast of cake, cookies, soda and wine. It was a beautiful Sukkah. The landlady was not happy and she chased them with a broom demanding that the Sukkah be removed. A few days later the landlady and the old man were in court facing a judge. Her protest was that she had rented him an apartment not the roof and she wanted the Sukkah removed. What did the judge decide? Like King Solomon, he made a very wise ruling. The story featuring this fall Jewish holiday can be read as one of perseverance, joy at the effort of creating a beautiful Sukkah and also discrimination on the part of the landlady against someone practicing his religion which caused her no real harm. The purpose of the Sukkah and the religious holiday are never explained until the old man appears before the judge. Would the landlady have been more sympathetic if she understood the holiday--perhaps? 2009 (orig. 1976), Holiday House, Ages 4 up, $7.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-8234-2232-6
It's Sukkah Time!
Latifa Berry Kropf
Photographs by Tod Cohen
The cutest bunch of pre-schoolers you have ever seen has a wonderful time preparing for the fall harvest festival of Sukkot. First, the scene is set with pictures of them frolicking in fallen leaves, picking apples and hiding among pumpkins. At school, they join in building various types of sukkahs (Hebrew: Sukkot): a child-size one from wood and screws, and toy people-size ones from a green plastic berry box. The children are full participants here, making decorations to hang in their sukkahs, sniffing the fragrant etrog (a lemon-like fruit that's one of the symbols of the holiday), waving the lulav (palm branches, the other holiday symbol), singing and dancing. Blessings in both Hebrew and English are included for both sitting in a sukkah and using the lulav and etrog. Their delight is evident in the wonderful photographs by the Tod Cohen, who also worked with author Kropf on It's Challah Time! for the celebration of Shabbat. 2003, Kar-Ben, $10.95. Ages 2 to 6. Reviewer: Judy Chernak (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
Notable Children's Books of Jewish Content, 2004; Association of Jewish Librarians; United States
ISBN: 1580130844
The Mysterious Guests: A Sukkoth Story
Eric A. Kimmel
Illustrated by Katya Krenina
This moral tale begins with the legend in which the Biblical forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob return to Earth in disguise for the harvest holiday of Sukkot and ask to share the holiday meal. If welcomed, they leave a blessing; if not, they teach a lesson. In Israel live two brothers. Eben is both rich and selfish, while Ezra is poor but kind and generous. During Sukkot, when poor folks come to Eben’s luxurious sukkah banquet, they are turned away. Ezra’s sukkah is not grand, but he does his best to prepare and shares with everyone. When the forefathers arrive in dusty cloaks and worn-out sandals, they are welcomed everywhere but at Eben’s. They tell him a story that ends with a lesson and the ruin of his sukkah. Ezra, of course, welcomes them. This time the story has a happier ending. And Eben has learned to mend his ways. Krenina’s acrylic illustrations project a dense, rather dark atmosphere. The characters are mainly seated in the sukkahs surrounded by the fruits of the harvest, with the table’s cover used as background for the lengthy text. The painterly scenes primarily contribute emotion rather than action. The author adds background information about the holiday. 2008, Holiday House, Ages 6 to 9, $16.95. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780823418930
ISBN: 0823418936
Night Lights: A Sukkot Story
Barbara Diamond Goldin
Illustrated by Louise August
Ms. Goldin has written some treasured classics-in-the-making about the Jewish holidays; The World's Birthday and Just Enough is Plenty, for example. While Night Lights about the holiday known as Sukkot may not be in that class, it does inform readers about the origins and practices of this celebration of nature and survival. And while doing so, it also paints a family portrait that is loving and supportive, but not overly sentimental or sweet, 1995, Harcourt Brace, Ages 4 up, $15.00. Reviewer: Judy Katsh
ISBN: 0-15-200536-6
On Sukkot and Simchat Torah
Cathy Goldberg Fishman
Illustrated by Melanie W. Hall
On Sukkot and Simchat Torah describes the symbolism and customs of these holidays plus Shemini Atzeret. A family consisting of a boy, a girl, a mother, a father, a grandfather and a grandmother build a sukkah. As they sit in it, Grandfather explains the custom of ushpizin and the family imagines a visit from our ancient forefathers and foremothers. In the synagogue on Sukkot morning, the girl of the family holds the etrog and lulav while her father marches behind her. Shemini Atzeret is then described and the special prayer for rain is mentioned. On Simchat Torah, Mother gets the honor of chanting from the Torah while both brother and sister stand on the bima and chant the blessing over the Torah, while four tall men hold the tallit over their head. Grandmother also teaches the children Torah. Melanie Hall's attractive muted pastel illustrations carry on the theme of gender equality, showing the mother dancing with the Torah and the sister standing in front of the Ark. Part of a series of holiday books by this author and illustrator, all previously published by Atheneum, On Sukkot and Simchat Torah is highly recommended for kindergarten to grade 3 in non-traditional schools and synagogues. Not only does it cover important customs and symbols and offer some interesting, little-known insights into the holidays, it also depicts males and females participating equally in the holiday rituals. Category: Holidays. 2006, Kar-Ben/Lerner, 32pp., $17.95. Ages 5 to 9. Reviewer: Ilka Gordon (Association of Jewish Libraries Newsletter, September/October 2006 (Vol. 26, No. 1)).
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Midwest Book Award, 2006 Merit Award Children's Picture Books United States
ISBN: 9781580131650
Sammy Spider's First Simchat Torah
Sylvia A. Rouss
Illustrated by Katherine Janus Kahn
In this latest installment of the popular Sammy Spider series, the curious arachnid, along with his human counterpart, Josh, learn about Simhat Torah. Both discover how on this holiday the yearly cycle of reading the entire Torah, "the Jewish people's favorite story," is completed and begun again. It is compared to Josh's imploring his parents to read to him once again his favorite book about creation. The inquisitive spider manages to hitch a ride to the evening synagogue services stuck to Josh's candied apple. Once there, Sammy joins in the celebration thanking God for the gift of the Torah. Devoted fans will recognize the familiar format of large text coupled with bright collage illustrations, as well as Sammy's mother's familiar rejoinder to her son's questions: "Silly little Sammy. Spiders don't... Spiders spin webs." A recipe for candy apples follows the story. Once again, the talented team of Rouss and Kahn create a magical book any child will want to read again and again and again. Category: Holidays. 2010, Kar-Ben/Lerner, 32 pp.; Reviewed from an ARC., $16.95. Ages 2 to 8. Reviewer: Allison Marks (Association of Jewish Libraries Newsletter, September/October 2010).
ISBN: 9780761339656
Sammy Spider's First Sukkot
Sylvia Rouss
Illustrated by Katherine Janus Kahn
Your favorite spider learns about building a sukkah, an outdoor house, for the holiday of Sukkot--the latest book in this winning series from Kar-Ben. Add to that the fact that this is a directional concept book and you will agree--this is likely to become a must for the young story lovers in your life. From inside the house, Sammy notices that squirrels are scampering up and down the trees, from above to below, and that Josh and his father are hammering wooden beams together. Of course Sammy asks his mother: "What are they making?" and then "Can we celebrate Sukkot, too?" And of course his mother answers the beloved refrain, "Silly little Sammy...Spiders don't celebrate Sukkot. Spiders spin webs." So we are off on another romp with the clever arachnid as we learn about the holiday when the ancient Israelites gathered in their harvest while dwelling in temporary huts in the field. The colorful fabric and paper collage pictures are irresistible and fully enjoyed because we are constantly searching for Sammy up or down, inside or outside, above or below as the sukkah takes shape. Good for any time of the year, but definitely a must for the Sukkot holiday. 2004, Kar-Ben, $7.95. Ages 3 to 8. Reviewer: Judy Chernak (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781580131421
ISBN: 1580130836
ISBN: 9781580130837
ISBN: 1580131425
The Sukkah That I Built
Rochel Groner Vorst
Illustrated by Elizabeth Victor-Elsby
A delightful story told as a progressive rhyme, a la "The House That Jack Built," this is a must-have for every parent of young Jewish children, and for librarians and lower-elementary teachers, if they are smart. A page in the back of the book explains that the story is a celebration of Sukkot (or Sukkos), the autumn "festival of ingathering," or harvest celebration. At this time, Jews are supposed to build sukkahs, small booths or temporary dwellings covered with natural objects such as pine branches, and have meals in them whenever possible. It is fun for children to hear the repetitive lines that build up to one finished project. They will doubtless identify with the young protagonist who is so anxious to help his family construct the sukkah, and so proud of his role that he forgets this is a team effort. But all ends in smiles when he concludes, "...that helped with the sukkah that WE built!" 2002, Hachai Publishing, $9.95. Ages 3 to 7. Reviewer: Donna Freedman
ISBN: 1-929628-07-2
Sukkot
Reagan Miller
This is one of eight more titles in the Celebrations in my World Series from Crabtree Publishing. Aimed at primary children, these titles explore the history and traditions of a variety of celebrations around the world. Large print provides easy to read text which is accompanied by vibrant captioned illustrations on 2 page spreads. Each book explores the origins of the celebration, its history, traditions, symbols, food, music, and activities which are associated with the holiday. “Did you Know” information is provided on each 2-page spread. A Table of Contents, Glossary and Index are also included. This series will be a welcome addition to primary classes which are taking a beginning look at different cultures and their celebrations. The large print and colourful illustrations make the books accessible to very young readers on an individual basis or in large group situations. Category: Non-Fiction Grades K-6. Thematic Links: Celebrations; Holidays; Diverse Cultures. Resource Links Rating: G (Good, great at times, generally useful!), Gr. 1-4. 2010, Crabtree Publishing, 32p. Illus., Hdbk. $20.76ea. Ages 6 to 10. Reviewer: Victoria Pennell (Resource Links, February 2010 (Vol. 15, No. 3)).
ISBN: 9780778747840
ISBN: 9780778747666
Sukkot Treasure Hunt
Allison Ofanansky
Photographs by Eliyahu Alpern
Set in Israel, the story follows a family as it collects the items needed to set up the Sukkah to celebrate Sukkot. They use wood to provide the structural supports and curtains to make the walls. Leafy branches are used to create the roof and the kids prepare illustrations to hang on the walls. In this story, the emphasis is placed on obtaining the "four species"--the four plants that during every morning of Sukkot will be held together and waved around. The species include the lulav (branch from a date palm) bound with aravot (branches from a willow tree), hadas (myrtle) and etrog (a fruit that resembles a lemon). While these items can be bought in a market, the family in this story is going to try and find them in the wild near the city of Tezfat. They take hikes and have success in finding three of the species, and we get to enjoy seeing their picnic and adventures on these outings. The only item that they cannot find is the etrog. Luckily the young girl and her family run into one of her school friends, and they have an etrog tree in their yard. What luck, now they can pick one to complete their treasure hunt for all four of the species. The backmatter explains more about the species mentioned and also discusses the meaning and purpose of Sukkot. The story is filled with photographs of a real family on a real holiday adventure--one that kids might want to emulate, but may find difficult due to the unavailability of the plant material in their locale. 2009, Kar-Ben/Lerner, Ages 4 to 10, $15.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-8225-8763-7
Updated 09/26/11
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