Customer Reviews

Alfie's Bark Mitzvah

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Alfie's Bark Mitzvah is a children's picturebook about the Jewish ritual celebration of becoming an adult - only told from an anthropomorphic puppy's point of view! Young Alfie experiences his "Bark Mitzvah" with all his family and friends. The cheery rhyme captures the jubilant spirit of this occasion, and an accompanying audio CD has five children's songs created especially for the book by internationally acclaimed performer Cantor Marcelo Gindlin. "Holding his head high / Alfie shared his heartfelt goal, / 'To be truthful and forgiving, / And to have a loving soul.' // 'To study,' he said 'and / To become knowing and wise / And to try and see the world / Through someone else's eyes.' // The room became quiet / When in a voice rich and fine / Alfie gave the blessing / Over a biscuit and some wine." A wonderful way to introduce the concept of Bar Mitzvah to curious children of all faiths and backgrounds.

What an absolute joy it has been reading this book-the words, music and illustrations are truly a gift to all who read it! it doesn't matter what your faith is, because this book's message, is one we should all practice.

I believe that when I receive a children's book, it is always interesting to have a child's perception of the book. My eight-year-old grandson Johnny and I read this book together. Then I put the CD that comes with the book in my computer and turned the volume up high. As we listen to it I glance over my shoulder I saw Johnny dancing in a way that only he could appreciated. It was a "don't laugh" grandma moment.

Then he picked up the book and asked me if we could hear it again. He began to try and sing words that he has never heard before. After he was done he asked me why we weren't Jewish? I tried to explain to him why we are Christians and not Jewish. I thought I was doing a pretty good job explaning things to him until he asked me, "Grandma, you said Christians and Jewish people believe in the same God, right? I said, "Yes we both believe in the God of Abraham. But we each worship in a different way."

Johnny was quite for awhile and then said, "I like what the Jewish children get to do and I want to become Jewish. How do I do it?" All I could say was, "You'll have to ask your parents about that."


As our daughter-in-law came to pick up Johnny he was jumping up and down and talking so fast his words were mixed up. He finally calmed down and told his mom that he wanted to become Jewish. My daughter-in-law looked at me and said "Sandy?" I just held up this precious book and said, "New book and Johnny loves everything in it."

This book should not only be in Jewish families, but also in the homes of people of other faith. The lessons are loud and clear. The greatest thing is love.

Whispering Winds Book Reviews

It would take a pretty hard heart to not love //Alfie's Bark Mitzvah//, the tale of one puppy's special day when he grows to "doghood." When I first read the title, I feared that this might be one of "those" children's books - too cute by half, groping for the cheap joke over any real substance. I cannot remember the last time I was so glad to be wrong about a book!

Combing charming dreamy illustrations of the various breeds that make up Alfie's family, an entertaining rhyme scheme, and a positive message about the mitzvot, my kids and I were all hooked by this book. That was even before we listened to the enclosed CD, filled with delightful songs composed by Cantor Marcello Gindlin. Full of heart, humor, and joy, //Alfie's Bark Mitzvah// is a party at which everyone will want to dance and dance again!

the story a delight... the artwork beautiful... the songs soulful and warming... this book is a MUST for every jewish home and for every temple early childhood center... and for those who are not jewish, what a wonderful way to learn about jewish tradition!!!

a magical book!!!

You dont have to be Jewish to share in the light hearted educational fun of Alfie!! A wonderful kids book that I highly reccomend for children of ALL faiths. It will take you and your furry friends on a journey through the comming of age ceromony celebrated by Jewish children. All cleverly adapted to be a party for Pets!!

When I read it out loud to my little sister I was all smiles and giggles just like her ...and I'm 26!

The best part really is its deep message of the "Mitzvoh" teaching children the importance of good deeds. This book is a must have for Pet lovers and anyone else wishing to instill values in their kids. Not to mention it comes with a fun CD of songs written especially for the book, so you and your kids can dance and sing along!!

Alfie's Bark Mitzvah is a book that children and adults of all ages can enjoy. You don't need to be a pet lover to fall in love with Alfie and all of his lively friends. It is an entertaining book in which you can take turns laughing and crying. Even if you aren't of the Jewish faith, everyone can relate to Alfie's friends and relatives. The illustrations are beautiful, and the accompanying CD is a joy to listen to. I highly recommend this book to anyone wishing to relish a magical musical and reading journey with the unique Alfie and all of his well-wishers.

Caryn Goldberg

A Barking Good Book

Many of us consider our dogs relatives, which undoubtedly explains the popularity of the "bark mitzvah," a light-hearted celebration honoring canine family members that has caught on around the country.

The celebration inspired Shari Cohen, a poet and author of more than a dozen books for kids, to write Alfie's Bark Mitzvah (Little Five Star, $18), her delightful new book for ages 3 and up.


She creates a make-believe world populated with canines, including the title character, a sweet-faced beagle with a Jewish soul. A loving and kind dog who visits the sick and the elderly, the lonely and sad, Alfie has reached the age to pass "from being a puppy to a dog," and friends and family of many breeds come from as far away as Israel to be part of the occasion.

"I wanted to show younger children what to expect in the bar and bat mitzvah process and to talk to them about doing good deeds--mitzvot--in a fun and nontraditional way," says Cohen, whose previous books include My Bubbe's Arms and My Dog Is Jewish.

Alfie's messages are positive and artist Nadia Komorova's illustrations--a rousing canine hora among them--are charmers. Each copy comes with a CD of songs created especially for the book by Cantor Marcelo Gindlin of the Malibu Jewish Center. ~The Jewish Woman magazine