Customer Reviews

On Sukkot and Simchat Torah

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Augusta, Georgia author, Cathy Goldberg Fishman, brings to life two Jewish fall holidays, Sukkot and Simchat Torah, in this new book published by Kar-Ben Publishing. We follow the preparations and learn about these two lesser-known Jewish holidays through the eyes of a child narrator. Written in a clear, easy-to-understand style, Fishman shows us the family building the sukkah (small shelter) that is used for this holiday, which is a harvest festival. Woven into the historical information on this and the Simchat Torah are many sights, sounds, and smells that help to bring this story alive. Artist Melanie Hall illustrates with a colorful, spiritual style just right for showing scenes of a family celebrating these rituals. A glossary at the end of the book explains the meaning of words such as "Etrog - citrus fruit symbolic of the harvest" and "Ushpizin - traditional Biblical guests who are symbolically invited to the sukkah to celebrate."

An excellent book for children who would like to learn about two of the lesser known Jewish holidays.

A young girl narrates her family's celebration of Sukkot and Simchat Torah: building and decorating the sukkah, inviting the ushpizin, eating and sitting in the Sukkah, blessing the lulav and etrog, going to the synagogue for Shemini Atzeret, marching and dancing on Simchat Torah, and listening to her mother chant from the Torah. As with the other books in this series (On Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, On Hanukkah, On Purim, On Shabbat, and On Passover) Fishman places Sukkot and Simchat Torah within the context of the Jewish year - "It feels good to be busy after the thoughtful stillness of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur." She also weaves interesting facts and concepts into the text, explaining how the lulav reminds us that God is everywhere and how the lulav and etrog are like a person with a heart, lips, eyes, and backbone. Melanie Hall's soft, whimsical, pastel illustrations complement the mood and tone of the narration and beautifully illustrate the rich traditions of these two holidays. For ages 6 - 10. Reviewed by Rachel Kamin

Cathy Goldberg Fishman and Melanie Hall's wonderful collaborative collection of books about Jewish holidays grows to include Sukkot and Simchat Torah with this new title. More non-fiction than fiction, On Sukkot and Simchat Torah presents a child telling about her family's preparations for and celebration of these holidays. She describes the excitement of building the sukkah and eating in it, the feel of the lulav and etrog, and the sadness at the end of the holiday, as well as the thrill of singing, dancing, and reading Torah (men AND women) on Simchat Torah. The narrator's enthusiasm is infectious, and readers will love experiencing the holidays with her family.

Melanie Hall's illustrations are colorful and filled with activity, yet somehow serene at the same time. Fishman provides just enough details about observance and symbols to keep young elementary grade readers engaged; readers will feel like they are listening to a friend. Highly recommended. REVIEWED BY MARCI LAVINE BLOCH (SILVER SPRING, MD)