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Archive for December 2008
21st December 2008, 02:25 pm
I received a wonderful PowerPoint presentation about the Jewish life in Harbin, a major city in northeast China. It consists of 31 pages, mostly photos by Charles B. The sources for the textual information are Shiri Lev Ari‘s “Harbin’s Jews: Isle of calm for embattled nation“, an online essay by Dr. Irena Vladimirsky, titled The Jews of Harbin. To view the presentation:
- Download it from here.
- Double click it. (You will need to have Microsoft PowerPoint or its player)
- Click the space bar or the right arrow to process from one slide to the next.
Enjoy!
Out of the seven books related to the Jewish experience in China we have, I would like to recommend one that actually mentions Harbin: “Jews in old China; studies by Chinese scholars,” edited by Sidney Shapiro. It contains 23 essays ranging from 4 to 50 pages. Shapiro and his Chinese colleagues detail their analyses to reveal that Jews were not only present in Kaifeng, known as Bianjing in the Song dynasty, but that they lived in large numbers in other Chinese cities as well. This scholarly volume includes not just an epilogue, bibliography and index, but also a chronological table, which came useful for me to get a big picture view of the history covered,
18th December 2008, 05:15 pm
 Spielberg Steven Spielberg, the film director, turned 62 today. From his movies we have Schindler’s List on VHS and Munich on DVD. We also have a book on his life, written for children: “The picture life of Steven Spielberg“, by Michael C. Leather. As the book was published in 1988 it doesn’t have references to his newer films. But its pictures still shed a light on his life along with the chapters: childhood, a hobby becomes a career, fame and success, on to producing, other influences, honors and home life. I also think that the glossary of film terms at the end of the 64 page volume is valuable for young readers.
15th December 2008, 03:56 pm
 Two days ago Amos Oz was honored with the prestigious Heinrich Heine Prize in Germany. He received this top award for “literary quality, political sensibility, his humanitarian engagement and his bold clarity and determination in trying to build bridges between Israelis and Palestinians.” Our library has twelve books by this famous contemporary Israeli author:
- A perfect peace – Set in Israel just before the Six-Day War, this novel describes life on a kibbutz, where the founders of Israel and their children struggle to come to terms with their land and with each other.
- A tale of love and darkness – Oz’s memoir, or more precisely family saga, covering 120 years. This is the latest book we have from him, published in 2003.
- Black box – An Israeli woman is happily remarried, yet obsessively attached to her former husband.
- Don’t call it night – A teenage drug overdose throws a closely knit Negev Desert settlement into turmoil – and tests the limits of a precarious love affair.
- Fima – Fima’s life in Jerusalem always manages to become enmeshed in the mundane. With wit and storytelling mastery, Oz portrays a man – and a generation – that has dreams but does nothing.
- In the land of Israel – Our only non-fiction Oz book documenting the answers from people all over Israel for the questions: where Israel had come from, was at the time of writing in 1983, and where it was headed.
- My Michael – In our oldest Oz piece, written 40 years ago, a woman with an intensive inner fantasy life finds her marriage and life more and more boring and limiting.
- Soumchi - The only book we have from Oz written for children. It is the funny story of an eleven year old boy, set in Jerusalem, right after World War II.
- The hill of evil counsel – Three stories in which history and imaginative narrative intertwine to re-create the world of Jerusalem during the last days of the British Mandate.
- The same sea – Oz’s most freeform work, a novel written as a mixture of poetry and prose, interactions and inter-emotions of a son, his girlfriend and his widowed father.
- To know a woman. – Emotional and intellectual recovery of a retiring Israeli spy from his wife’s death to society.
- Unto death; Crusade and Late Love – Two novellas showing the atmosphere of hatred in which Jews must live, die, and struggle for rationality both historically and in the present.
15th December 2008, 03:02 pm
The library will be closed from December 25 till January 4, 2009.
We will reopen on Monday, January 5.
14th December 2008, 10:30 am
You might have noticed that the last few weeks I posted lots of minireviews of children books (and videos) related to Hanukkah. I believe by now I covered all 28 books we have on the topic. To make the decision easier which one to borrow here is the list of books, broken down by the ages of the target audience. The book titles link to the blog post where the book is covered.
Ages 0-3
Ages 4-8
Ages 6-10
Ages 9-12
Ages 12-15
14th December 2008, 09:53 am
You remember last month I posted the announcement that the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) was starting a new podcast series. By doing so we got entered into a drawing for five Jewish interest books from Hachette Book Group. This morning I got notified that our library is one of the five winners. As soon as I get and catalog the books I will post another entry about them here.
Meanwhile I just added a link on the right side of the library’s blog under the Jewish Books heading. We already had 8 links there, including the Book of Life podcast and the AJL site. Now the AJL Podcast is also listed there for easier accessibility.
14th December 2008, 09:38 am
Chaikin: Light another candle
 The first thing that will grab you Miriam Chaikin‘s “Light another candle” is the intricacies of motifs of the pencil drawings that are no the margin on many of the pages. They are done in the same style as the rest of the, more integrated, illustrations by Demi (yes, s/he has no last name mentioned), including the occasional bright red filling of an area, like a coat, boat, jar… The next thing you will notice when you look at the table of contents is the title of the first chapter: “There is but one God”. By naming this way the opening chapter Chaikin ensured that the second part of the book’s subtitle (“The story and meaning of Hanukkah”) also gets the attention it deserves. This first chapter not just tells the story up till the point where the Temple had been defiled, but also explains why the Maccabeans were fighting.
The next chapter tells the rest of the story, but the third (“How the holiday grew”) provides a part of the history of Hanukkah I did not see in other children books. The details of the Jewish calendar, Temple and law round up the “meaning” part of the book. The second half is taken up by how the holiday is celebrated in terms of foods, gelt, gifts, and customs. The book ends with a glossary and pronunciation guide, chronology of the Tempe, other books about Hanukkah and an index. This unique combination of narrative and descriptive sections makes it a comprehensive book for 9-12 year old children.
Drucker: Hanukkah
Just like all of Malka Drucker‘s series of books for children on Jewish holidays, “Hanukkah: eight nights, eight lights” is also very thorough: on slightly less than a hundred page it tells you almost everything you would want your 9-12 year old child to know about the holiday. The eight chapters are on: heroes, lights, games, foods, crafts, gifts, celebrations, and fun. As you can see the structure of the book is clear and well thought through. But any faceted organization has challenges. For example where would you put the Judith and Holofernes story? (You remember: Judith, a Maccabean, kills a Greek general and takes his head back as a trophy.) Because Judith used dairy food (and lots of it) to make Holofernes sleepy, the story is retold in the food section. That wouldn’t have been my first choice. But this is just a very minor grievance, the important feature of the book that it covers all aspects of the holiday. The glossary and basic index makes it an even better reference work. Every page has at least one illustration, mostly pencil drawings by Brom Hoban, but some are black and white photographs.
Feder: Judah who always said “No!”
 Most children (and some adults) go through a phase when they just love to say “NO!” to everything. Harriet K. Feder‘s “Judah Who Always Said “No!”” will appeal to them (particularly between 4 and 8 year olds) as the hero, Judah, does exactly that. Every time he is asked to do something both as a child by his parents and later as an adult, by the Greek king, he refuses. This is a bit simplistic way of showing the Maccabean resistance, but sure is fun. I liked that the word “NO!” was set in much larger font than the rest of the text, that tells the basic story behind Hanukkah. Most of the pages are filled up with vivid aquarelle pictures (by Katherine Janus Kahn). If you are parent don’t get too concerned that this book would teach your child to say no only, because at the very end of the book there is a strong affirming YES!
Goldin: Just enough is plenty
Elijah (and the waiting for him) is associated with Pesach from the Jewish holidays. However, in Barbara Diamond Goldin‘s “Just Enough Is Plenty: A Hanukkah Tale“, it seems, he shows up at a Hanukkah table of a poor, but not so poor, family. The family consisting of Malka, Zalman, Mom and Dad (and for the holiday Aunt Hindy and Uncle Shmuel), lives meagerly and this year did not have enough money to invite lots of people, like they usually do. But they are willing to share the little they have with a peddler, who knocks on the door. Their reward is unexpected gifts for the children that the mysterious stranger leaves behind by next morning.
The quality of children book often depends on the energy, time and talent put into its illustrations. Painting with oil is one of the most time-consuming Endeavour in this realm. Nevertheless no less than 14 paintings (of Seymour Chwast) adorn this volume. They, one by one, are worthy to be lost in and get explored and not just by the 4-8 year olds it was written, painted for.
Kimmel: Hershel and the Hanukkah goblins
 Eric A. Kimmel‘s “Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins” is a dark story both in the literal and metaphorical sense. As most of the story is set in an old, abandoned synagogue during the night it is fitting that the background of all the pages are black or at least dark blue. (Trina Schart Hyman illustrated the volume.) The story revolves around how the famous Hershel of Ostropol outsmarted goblins so villagers could celebrate Hanukkah again. Throughout the eight evenings of the holiday he sat in the synagogue and tricked the goblins, who disliked light and joy, into letting him light the candles. The reading level of the book is best suited for children ages 4 to 8.
As a background for the book let me quote the author from his homepage “I never liked most Hanukkah stories when I was growing up. They were dull. I thought I’d try to write a really good holiday story, one like A Christmas Carol. My grandma told wonderfully spooky stories. I wanted to write a story as creepy as one she might have told. Who knows? Maybe she was nearby somehow, giving me ideas. It wouldn’t surprise me.”
Right now you can listen to the story told by the author at his website and/or order the audiobook version at the same place.
Maximon: The book of Hanukkah
The full title of this book is “The book of Hanukkah, the story of the Maccabees; a saga of heroism and dedication and a miracle as retold by Saadyah Maximon, incorporating an album of illustrations in full color by Siegmund Forst.” To this I should add that the “illustrations” refer to 27 full page paintings. Considering that this is a large format book, measuring 8.5 by 12 it is an important aspect. In addition the book is peppered throughout with several dozens smaller black and white drawings.
Unlike other Hanukkah books for children (the book seem most suitable for 9-12 year olds) it does not talk about dreidel, games, gifts, or songs. “All” it does is telling the story of the events on 128 with as much historical accuracy as possible. Maximon explains in the prologue that in addition to using the only two available primary sources (Books of the Maccabees and Josephus’ Antiquities of the Jews) he wanted to make sure that the legends of the people are included. Therefore he calls himself only a reteller and not an author. The motto of the book elucidates the author’s perspective: “A miracle is as true as the faith of those who believe in it.”
Oren/ Sidon: The animated Menorah
 “The Animated Menorah: Travels on a Space Dreidel” contains photographs of 20 carefully designed set (by Rony Oren) from colorful playdoh and a dozen smaller pictures as well. The term “claymation” refers to animated movies with characters, objects and background made of clay (play-doh, plasticize or similar material,) but as far as I know there is no term for the kind of art where there is no motion involved. No matter, children love it: this book, which is part of the Animated Holydays series, all with the same kind of artwork, are amongst the most popular children books at our library.
At the center of the story, written Ephraim Sidon, are two siblings, who every night of the 8 day of the holiday travel in space and time (mistakenly called only space travel in the book) to encounter various events behind Hanukkah. Their ship is the dreidel, that during the day and when they play with it, just looks like an ordinary toy. The book is a fun combination of modern life (when was the last time you read in a children book about floppy disks), family activities (showing how they celebrate together every evening), history, and imaginative illustrations for 4-8 year olds.
Silverman: Festival of lights
 Maida Silverman‘s “Festival of Lights: The Story of Hanukkah” is the best book for children ages 5 to 8 I encountered that tells the story of Hanukka. It does soon 18 pages with large colorful images (by Carolyn S. Ewing) and only 2-8 lines of text on each page. But wait that’s not all. You also get a page on “the legend of the Menorah”, another one on “the legend of the dreidel,” a description of the dreidel game, instruction on how to make a dreidel and last but not least the notes and lyrics for Ma-oz Tzur (Rock of ages) song.
Wengrov: Zalman’s menorah
Who would not want to step in, at least every once in a while, back to simpler, quieter time? Charles Wengrov gives you a chance to do that in “Zalman’s menorah: A novel based on an old Chanukah folktale“. It follows a pious peddler as he makes his trip from Chabbat to Shabbat around the villages in the Tatras Mountains of Eastern Europe. The reader follows not just his physical movements but inner ones too. What I most appreciated in this book was how it shared the liturgical structure of the life of a practicing Jew, filled it with meaning. For the non-orthodox, who may not pray three times a day or not familiar with the order and content of the services this is a great book to get a warm feel for them.
The story in a nutshell: Zalman gets attacked by a band of bandits (while lighting the Hanukkah candle in a cave during a snowstorm) but gets saved by a fox-hunting king’s group. This plot may sound lacking in content, but the book is not. It is packed with wonderful descriptions of people, animals and Jewish folk wisdom. It is a great read for 11-14 year olds or interested adults. I not just enjoyed the story–which has more twists than I outlined above–, but also that I was transferred to a different time/space. The book helped making that my own.
9th December 2008, 04:00 pm
A few weeks ago at the library Shabbat most of the volunteers at the library shared a few words with the congregation. After the service many people came up to me telling me how Noor’s impromptu speech touched them. Thus I asked her to write it up so we could share with all the readers of this blog.
Noorillah Karr: Three reasons I like to be in the Library
First, it is an entire Jewish microcosm, a world of books on Judaism and/or books written by Jewish authors, organized and arranged according to a uniquely Jewish system, the Elazar System. Here there is everything from Torah, Prophets and Talmud to the latest edition of the Jerusalem Post. In between are books representing nearly every facet of Jewish tradition and culture: ancient and modern Torah commentaries, Kabbalah and meditation, books on ethics and mitzvoth, poetry, biography, history, cookbooks, books on Israeli culture and politics, and the latest contemporary novels, not to mention a fine range of books for children. It’s as if members of the whole tribe, spanning all the generations are rubbing shoulders in one small room, just waiting for any one of us to come in for a conversation.
Second, because so many of our congregants have contributed their time, money, books and expertise to sustain and develop our library, there is no also a strong feeling of connection to the lineage of our congregation. The library is named for Leo Gurevitch’s mother, and although I never met her, I’ve met Leo and I’ve worked with Evelyn Gurevitch. Looking around the sanctuary, I see not only our amazing emeritus librarian, Susanne Batzdorff, but others I’ve worked with, who started in the library long before me, including Sylvia Sucher, Shayna Bakman and Lillian Judd. And I remember Natalie Wachspress (z’l) and know there are others, too many to name. And I also see many of you who have generously donated to the library over the years, and those who have come in to check out a book or ask a good question. The library is part of Beth Ami’s tradition, and it is good to participate in continuing that tradition.
Third, being in the library is an easy way to fulfill the highest commandment, which is to further learning. This doesn’t only mean the learning of our children or grandchildren, but especially it means our own learning. When you come to the library, it’s hard not to fulfill this mitzvah. Simply pursue an article on Israel or pull a book from the shelf and read a few sentences, and already you’ve learned something you didn’t know before. And if the book wants to come home with you, you can check it out for a month, put it by your favorite chair or on your night table and read a few more sentences from time to time. It may be a big mitzvah, but it can be fulfilled in small ways. To paraphrase one of our famous sages: Just because you can’t read the whole thing doesn’t mean you shouldn’t open the cover. It’s an easy way to connect with out tradition, and you’ll be in really good company when you do.
8th December 2008, 05:31 pm
Adler: A picture book of Hanukkah
 David A. Adler’s “A Picture Book of Hanukkah” tells the story behind the holiday in almost all its gory detail. It is a surprisingly accurate retelling of the events, including covering the fact that thousands of people were killed before and during the Maccabeen war. I found that intriguing for a book written for 2-4 graders. The drawings (in sepia tones by Linda Heller) fill more than half of the 32 pages. Most of the book is about the history lesson, while the last three briefly mentions candles, latkes, dreidel and gelt.
Kimmelman: Hanukkah lights, Hanukkah nights
 “Hanukkah lights, Hanukkah nights”, having only a line or two texts (by Leslie Kimmelman) on each page is ideal for reading up to 3 year old children. The full, sometimes double page images are the warm heart of this book, drawn by b John Himmelman. They, together with the text, tell the story of a family celebrating each day of the holiday. Each day gets its own double page. Every day something else happens, showing different aspects of the holiday. I particularly enjoyed that ate the bottom right of the pages, you can see a little Menorah, and every time you turn the pages a new candle is added to it. It is a rather joyful book, just like the content it celebrates. The last, 24th page has a quick summary of the major customs related to the holiday. That text is set in small enough font to fit 25 lines or so, while the rest of the text in the book is in large font, so capable young readers could follow it too.
Goffstein: Laughing latkes
M. B. Goffstein’s “Laughing latkes” is the most unusual, or modern if you will Hanukkah book I have seen. Each of the 31 pages have a square drawn and in them a very simple line drawing, sometimes containing only two stylized latkes. The visual style mostly evokes counterculture, anti-artistic cartoons. So does the text, exploring the ever-so important question why latkes might laugh during Hanukkah. Almost every page gives a possible answer in a few words, until we learn the real one on the last page. It is a weirdly enjoyable weird book. Some suggest this book for 4 to 8 years old, but I wonder whether it is really for adults. You decide.
Schotter: Hanukkah!
 In Roni Schotter’s “Hanukkah!” a family with five children gears up to celebrating Hanukkah. Then they do it too. Each member has its role, including the youngest, Moe, who must be about 4-5 years old. He is in the age group of the target audience. The good news is that by the end he manages to pronounce the name of the holiday properly. There is no bad news in this sweet little book, illustrated with very vivid colors by Marylin Hafner. The last page, as usual, includes a short description of four of the terms mentioned in the book: dreydel, menorah, latkes, and shamash. I enjoyed just looking at the pictures, because they are so much fun to flip through. The text rhymes the way adults imagine little kids would like it. But it worked on me too.
7th December 2008, 10:43 am
 Erich Kimmel‘s “The jar of fools: Eight Hanukkah stories from Chelm” mostly delivers the goods its title promises. As you may know Chelm is the (in)famous village known for the unique logic and common sense (or lack of the above) of its inhabitants. I wrote “mostly” above, because the first of the eight stories, bearing the main title of the book, is not about Hanukkah, but instead an alternative tongue in cheek creation story that explains the origins of Chelm’s special characteristics. The other stories are:
- How they play dreidel in Chelm – how and why to remove all the letters from dreidels
- Sweeter than honey, purer than oil – how to buy something better than chicken fat for making latkes
- The knight of the golden slippers – how to protect the golden part of the honorary slippers
- Silent Samson, the Maccabee – how one modern Maccabee saved Chelm
- The magic spoon – how to make latkes with ingredients from the people using an expensive spoon of a stranger
- The soul of a Menorah – how a hay fork can be viewed as menorah
- Wisdom for sale – how to buy and use sample wisdom from a university
Each tale is decorated by a single full page, full color drawing by Mordicai Gerstein. The book concludes with the author’s note, explaining the history and origins of the stories.
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