Books To Celebrate Jewish Culture and Learn About Antisemitism

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There are many wonderful Jewish books for children that can help them learn about Jewish traditions, values, and culture. These books cover a wide range of topics, from Jewish holidays and history to folktales and stories about Jewish identity.

Here are some popular and highly recommended options:

“The Keeping Quilt” by Patricia Polacco: This heartwarming book tells the story of a quilt that has been passed down through generations of a Jewish family and the memories it holds.

“All-of-a-Kind Family” by Sydney Taylor: This classic series introduces young readers to a Jewish family living in New York City at the turn of the 20th century.

“The Mitzvah Magician” by Linda Elovitz Marshall: This story focuses on the importance of performing acts of kindness (mitzvot) and the power of a young boy’s magical thinking.

“The Story of Hanukkah” by David A. Adler: This book provides a clear and accessible explanation of the history and traditions of Hanukkah.

“The Hanukkah Mice” by Steven Kroll: This charming tale follows a family of mice as they celebrate Hanukkah in a cozy and loving way.

“Sammy Spider’s First Hanukkah” by Sylvia A. Rouss: The Sammy Spider series offers young readers an introduction to Jewish traditions through the perspective of a curious spider.

“Gershon’s Monster: A Story for the Jewish New Year” by Eric A. Kimmel: This book tells the story of a young boy who confronts his fear of the New Year.

“The Elijah Door: A Passover Tale” by Linda Leopold-Strauss: This Passover story explores the tradition of opening the door for the prophet Elijah.

“The Only One Club” by Jane Naliboff: This book celebrates diversity and uniqueness in a Jewish context, showing that being different is something to be proud of.

“No Rules for Michael” by Sylvia Rouss: This book is part of the “Tikkun Olam” series and teaches children about the concept of repairing the world through acts of kindness and justice.

These books provide a great way for Jewish children to connect with their heritage and learn about their faith and traditions. As with any books for children, consider the age and interests of the child when selecting appropriate titles.

 

In order to be anti-racist it’s important to educate yourself and those around you about Jewish history, culture and faith, and a great way to do this is through literature that explores Jewish issues. While adults can learn more about Jews through a variety of publications, including by reading Holocaust literature, for those with children it can be hard to know what to encourage them to read.

It’s important that children have access to stories that contain Jewish characters and explore Jewish issues, to help them grow up to be understanding and compassionate towards people of all cultures and faiths.

Below are some great books for toddlers up to teens, all focusing on Jewish characters and issues. From picture books to graphic novels, Good Housekeeping found books that deal with a variety of Jewish experiences, from forming friendships to fighting injustice.

Here’s their essential list… click here

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