Understanding Jewish Holidays and Customs: Historical and Contemporary [Paperback]

Sol Scharfstein (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8-A historical and contemporary overview of customs and ceremonies as practiced by Jews from Biblical times to the present. The author begins with a discussion of the Jewish lunar calendar upon which the holidays are based and then distinguishes between the types of holidays. The Sabbath, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Shavuot, and Sukkot go back to Biblical times and are religious. Passover (also Biblical), Purim, Chanukah, and the more recent Yom Ha-Atzma'ut celebrate historical "victories"-the survival of the Jewish people or Israel's independence. Yom Ha-Shoah memorializes the victims of the Holocaust and Yom Ha-Zikkaron commemorates the soldiers fallen in defense of Israel. Other topics covered include the synagogue and Jewish life-cycle events. Several small, black-and-white and color photographs and reproductions appear in the margins of every page, and each chapter begins with a color illustration. In a clear style and attractive format, this volume offers much information about Jewish traditions.
Marcia W. Posner, Holocaust Memorial and Educational Center of Nassau County, Glen Cove, NY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

From the most ancient Jewish traditions to a capsulization of current Israeli politics, this ambitious volume successfully describes and explains the history, customs, and teachings of Judaism. Only occasionally flowery, the always well-informed text introduces Hebrew terms and incorporates meaningful quotes from traditional writings, songs, and prayers. Scharfstein writes in concentric circles so that his history of a custom or holiday expands into modern-day practices. His chapter on Jewish books, for example, begins with animal skin scrolls, progresses to the Bible, and encompasses modern Jewish publishing and Jewish winners of the Nobel Prize for Literature. The text, which is attractively displayed down the center of the large pages, is supplemented by captioned photos, art reproductions, pictures of Israeli stamps, and other visuals displayed along the side margins. This valuable book makes a wealth of information accessible for both Jewish and secular collections. Ellen Mandel --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 186 pages
• Publisher: Ktav Pub Inc (March 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881256269
• ISBN-13: 978-0881256260
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #160,731 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #24 in Books > Children's Books > Holidays & Celebrations > Religious

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.