Best Jewish books for Children and Teens: A JPS Guide

11. Judaism and Other Religions

Chapter 11 • Judaism and Other Religions CHAPTER 11 Judaism and Other pReligionsP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Introduction “Cultural pluralism, a model of American society that promotes ethnic diversity as a positive good and rejects calls for Anglo-conformity or ‘the melting pot’ as incompatible with America’s democratic ethos, has been widely embraced by American Jews” states the historian Jonathan Krasner.28 The books included in this chapter are a testimony to pluralism within the American Jewish community and to a wider-reaching pluralism that aims to inculcate in all children respect for different religious beliefs besides their own. For young children, there are simple pictorial introductions to complex concepts such as God, prayer, and the question, “What does it mean to be a Jew?” The writer and artist Mark Podwal has created some visually stunning, lyrically written portrayals of Jewish symbols. For older readers, a rabbi and a priest—Marc Gellman and Thomas Hartman—compare and contrast the ways that world religions answer fundamental theological questions. Several authors portray teens searching for forms of Judaism that are more authentic or meaningful to them than the Judaism of their elders. Orthodox publishers such as Hachai specialize in books for early childhood and provide a perspective that reflects Torah-centered, traditional Judaism. Behrman House, which usually publishes middle-of-the road Jewish textbooks, is represented by the most traditional of books for teens in this chapter: Maurice Lamm’s Living Torah in America: Derekh HaTov. Books coming from the Reform Movement’s URJ Press, (formerly UAHC Press) and CCAR Press, or New-Age publisher, Jewish Lights, take a more liberal and inclusive approach to Jewish belief and practice. The frequency of titles that appear from secular publishers like Dutton, Morrow, and Greenwillow is perhaps the best affirmation of cultural pluralism and its influence on books for children. 257 Recommended Reading Fiction Asher, Sandy With All My Heart, With All My Mind SIMON AND SCHUSTER, 1999. 164 PAGES. AGES 11–15. Winner of a National Jewish Book Award What does it mean to be a Jew? Each story in this collection approaches the question in a distinctive way, showing the diversity of the American Jewish experience. Each is written by an author of books for teens and many of their names will be recognized. For example, Eric Kimmel presents family history, Carol Matas a fantasy, Gloria Miklowitz a trip to Masada. After each story there is an interview with the author, adding more perspective on the issues crucial to the teens that the stories address. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bogot, Howard Becky and Benny Thank God Illustrated by Norman Gorbaty CCAR PRESS, 1996. UNPAGED. AGES 2–5. Board books—small, chunky books with very simple concepts and just a few pages made of sturdy cardboard—are perfect for little hands. This one offers preschoolers a chance to touch, feel, and manipulate the pictures as they enjoy the clear, cheerful illustrations and an age-appropriate rhyming stories about the wonders of nature and its Creator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cone, Molly Hello, Hello, Are You There, God? Illustrated by Rosalind Charney Kaye UAHC PRESS, 1999. UNPAGED. AGES 5–9. How do young children learn their role as Jews and their place among the Jewish people? Often through stories. This collection of stories takes readers on a Jewish journey, teaching them what it means to be part of the Jewish people, to value learning, and to love God. The stories included are taken from the individual Hear O Israel: The Shema Storybooks that Molly Cone wrote and invitingly illustrated. Best Jewish Books for Children and Teens 258 Chapter 11 • Judaism and Other Religions Cohen, Floreva G. Photographs by George Ancona My Special Friend BOARD OF JEWISH EDUCATION OF GREATER NEW YORK, 1986. UNPAGED. AGES 3–6. Shabbat morning in the synagogue as enjoyed by two little boys is the focus of this simple and sensitive story. Doron, one of two boys, tells the story and the black and white photographs of the boys in the synagogue reflect his comments. His friend Jonathan, with whom he sits in the synagogue and plays with outside when they get restless during services, has Down’s Syndrome. Doron describes a few of their differences, but focuses on how the two boys overcome their fear of going up onto the bima to lead the congregation in the singing of “Adon Olam.” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Daleski, Gil Is God Sad? Illustrated by Debbie Weinstein GEFEN, 2007. 40 PAGES. AGES 2–7. Tamar asks...