LibGuides: FP Library Book Lists: Judaism & Jewish Representation

Judaism & Jewish Representation

Judaism is a monotheistic religion that teaches its believers a devotion to God, who created the world and selected Jews as his chosen people who would spread knowledge of him to the rest of the world. Judaism teaches that the lives of individuals are deeply connected to the larger community and synagogues, led by religious leaders called rabbis, serve not just as places of worship but as places of learning and community gathering.

There are two texts central to Judaism, the Torah, which comprises the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, and the Talmud which is a collection of stories and commentaries about the laws and practice of Judaism.

Jewish people often go to synagogue to worship and to learn but different groups and individuals express their faith in different ways. Important Jewish holidays include Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Hanukkah, and Passover (included in our Holidays & Seasons section).

Here Is The World by Lesléa Newman; Susan Gal (Illustrator)
ISBN: 9781419711855
Here Is the World is a joyous celebration of the Jewish holidays throughout the year for young children. Beginning with the weekly observance of Shabbat, readers join a family through the holidays and the corresponding seasons. From sounding the shofar on Rosh Hashanah to lighting the menorah for Chanukah to rattling a grogger for Purim, and on through the Jewish year, the joy and significance of each holiday beautifully come to life. In addition to the narrative text, there is a description of each holiday in the back matter along with an easy craft or recipe.
Awe-Some Days: Poems About the Jewish Holidays by Marilyn Singer; Dana Wulfekotte (Illustrator)
ISBN: 9780593324691
In this cheerful, enjoyable poetry collection, a family decides to celebrate every Jewish holiday for a full year, "the ones we know well, the ones we do not." Starting with new-year apples dipped in honey on Rosh Hashanah all the way to flowers and chocolates on Tu B'Av (often called "Jewish Valentine's Day"), readers can explore the joy and meaning of the various holidays along with this lively family of five. A brief explanation of the holiday accompanies each poem.
The Way Meat Loves Salt by Nina Jaffe; Louise August (Illustrator)
ISBN: 9780805043846
Many years ago in Poland, there lived a rabbi who had a wife and three daughters. One day, the rabbi asks his children a powerful question: "How much do you love me?" His older daughters profess their love in gold and diamonds, but his youngest daughter, Mireleh, declares she loves her father the way meat loves salt. For this remark, she is banished from her father's home.In this flavorful Jewish Cinderella tale, Mireleh's courageous journey is peppered with a perfect blend of magic and romance, leading to a reconciliation with her beloved father.
Hanukkah Around the World by Tami Lehman-Wilzig; Vicki Wehrman (Illustrator)
ISBN: 9780822587620
Take a trip to Italy, Uzbekistan, Tunisia, and beyond to see how Hanukkah is celebrated around the world. Join the torch relay in Modi'in, Israel; the Ladino concert in Istanbul, Turkey; and the candle lighting on the beach in Sydney, Australia. Try the delicious and unusual recipes for fried burmelos, latkes, and precipizi that recall the miracle of the little jug of oil in the Hanukkah story.
I Am Anne Frank by Brad Meltzer; Christopher Eliopoulos (Illustrator)
ISBN: 9780525555940
This engaging biography series focuses on the traits that made our heroes great--the traits that kids can aspire to in order to live heroically themselves. Each book tells the story of an icon in a lively, conversational way that works well for the youngest nonfiction readers. At the back are an excellent timeline and photos.This volume features Anne Frank, whose courage and hope during a time of terror are still an inspiration for people around the world today. While Anne and her family hid in an attic during the Holocaust, she kept a journal about all her hopes and fears and observations. That journal and the story of her life are still read and told today to remember the life of a young girl and warn against the consequences of bigotry.
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
ISBN: 9780395510605
As the German troops begin their campaign to "relocate" all the Jews of Denmark, Annemarie Johansen's family takes in Annemarie's best friend, Ellen Rosen, and conceals her as part of the family. Through the eyes of ten-year-old Annemarie, we watch as the Danish Resistance smuggles almost the entire Jewish population of Denmark, nearly seven thousand people, across the sea to Sweden. The heroism of an entire nation reminds us that there was pride and human decency in the world even during a time of terror and war.
The Cats in Krasinski Square by Karen Hesse; Wendy Watson (Illustrator)
ISBN: 9780439435406
When Karen Hesse came upon a short article about cats out-foxing the Gestapo at the train station in Warsaw during WWII, she couldn't get the story out of her mind. The result is this stirring account of a Jewish girl's involvement in the Resistance. At once terrifying and soulful, this fictional account, borne of meticulous research, is a testament to history and to our passionate will to survive.