The Genizah

On this rainy Friday evening, a boy dwells upon the frustrations of his week. But as the Shabbat candles dance and he feels the warmth of his family gathered around him, he is able to look back and remember that along with the challenges, he also experienced a great deal of joy and awe. From the unexpected kindness of a stranger to a funny joke he learned, the more the boy searches for the light in his life, the more he comes to see that hope, happiness, and gratitude can be found in even the smallest moments. With lyrical rhyming text from Rebecca Gardyn Levington and gorgeous illustrations from Diana Mayo, Looking for Light is a poignant story about a Jewish family celebrating Shabbat, the day of rest, that inspires us to realize that even when good things feel overshadowed, there is always a spark of light to lift us up―if only we choose to look for it. Back matter includes an author's note about Shabbat, as well as a section on “How to Look for Light,” which suggests different ways we can practice gratitude on Shabbat or any day of the week.

With the grocery store shelves bare, the first night of Hanukkah seems like it's going to be a bust. Now, quirky heroine Harriet must collaborate with friends and neighbors to create an unexpectedly perfect Hanukkah feast

Maya and Ethan's Bubbe tells them how, as a child, a storm flooded her Texas town, and she and her father, the local baker, floated down the streets in a barrel delivering challah to neighbors

In generation after generation, there are brilliant and inspiring Rabbis who have shaped Jewish tradition as we know it. Some faced persecution with great courage, some accomplished staggering works of scholarship in their time, and some creating lasting impressions that reverberate through the centuries. Meet Rashi, the father of all Torah and Talmud commentary and champion of women’s learning in the Middle Ages. The Chofetz Chaim, who taught a nation how to speak with kindness. Rabbi Lau, who survived the Holocaust at the age of 2 and went on to lead the State of Israel, and so many more. Each Rabbi is brought to life in full-color illustrations and their entries include dates, locations, and more. Taken together, these stories create a rich history of faith and tradition.

When his brother Aaron teases him, Benjamin gets revenge by taunting him with food during his Yom Kippur fast, until he embraces the spirit of the holiday and apologizes to Aaron.

It’s Rosh Hashanah and Stella is finally old enough to make her family’s famous stuffed cabbage rolls. The recipe has been passed down from her Bubbe Sophie to her Nana to her Mama, with each adding their own special touch to the recipe. Now it’s Stella’s turn. What will she add? Pumpkins, peas, potatoes? What is to be her special touch?

One Wednesday afternoon, in the fall of 1943, something momentous happened. Take a minute to find out what. During World War II, the Jews of Europe were in tremendous danger. Anti-Semitic laws were issued, and Jews were attacked and deported. What could be done to save them? A committee of determined American Jews wanted to bring attention to the tragedy going on in Europe. They decided to hold a major rally. Hundreds of rabbis marched to the White House in Washington, D.C., to try and speak with the president and beg for his help. March! is a compelling book about a pivotal event in American Jewish history.

Miriam is the youngest, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t know things. She’s not as gullible as her parents or older siblings think, and she is too old for ridiculous stories that make no sense. So, using her superior detective skills, she sets out to find the truth about all of the fantastical things that people tell gullible kids. It’s finally summer vacation, and that means one thing: Miriam and her family are headed to Mermaid Lake! Legend has it the lake was named after the mermaid who swims beneath its waters, but as an experienced magical mystery detective, Miriam is determined to find out the truth. She has the perfect trap in mind . . . if she can get up the courage to climb the big waterslide. This could be her most challenging case yet, but Miriam’s determined to find the mermaid—if she even exists.

Lizzie’s never experienced shiva before. When she and her mom arrive at Joshua’s house, Lizzie is determined to cheer up her friend who is mourning the loss of his grandfather. But Joshua isn’t in the mood for their usual puzzles or magic tricks. He misses his favorite baking partner. As Lizzie participates in the Jewish customs of shiva, she begins to learn a new meaning of friendship. Maybe all Joshua needs right now is someone to listen. Something Sweet balances themes of processing grief, experiencing another culture, and learning how to be a good friend—and does so with tender care.

This Passover, Jordanita's family is leaving their Miami apartment and flying to Argentina to spend the holiday with cousins. Their cousins' house is the best, since it not only has a giant yard-they also two dogs, a cat, two turtles, and two parrots called Tic and Toc! But when Jordanita hears the Passover story this year, she can't help but notice that Tic and Toc are in a cage. If the point of Passover is to celebrate freedom, shouldn't that apply to all creatures? Celebrated Jewish Argentine author Ana María Shua explores the nature of freedom and the love of family in this warm-hearted tale, perfectly paired with the gentle humor of Spanish illustrator Angeles Ruiz's lively illustrations

The Aliens Haggadah, with stunning illustrations of aliens participating in a Passover Seder, combines a traditional and complete Passover Haggadah text with selected English translation and transliteration. This " two books in one" volume includes a fantasy tale from a far corner of the galaxy about how aliens, facing environmental collapse, have to leave their home in an interplanetary migration. They find their way to a new planet, where they are at first welcomed, but later enslaved. This alien story mirrors that of the Israelites in Egypt, weaving fact, fantasy and tradition into a rollicking tale which will amuse, entertain, raise questions and excite curiosity among children of all ages and their families.The Aliens Haggadah includes notes for parents and teachers, featuring midrashic texts and history mixed with a collection of " documents from a crashed alien spacecraft." The Aliens Haggadah gives a 21st century perspective on the Jewish people' s foundational experience, and encourages readers to consider their attitude to Others (the " aliens" among us) and to our natural environment.

For Ethan and his family, Passover, the Festival of Freedom, is a holiday full of longstanding traditions, food, family, and great company. And at Ethan’s family seder, one message of the Haggadah is never forgotten: let all who are hungry, come and eat. This year, however, Ethan is anticipating a very small seder. Until . . . Knock, Knock, Knock. Each unexpected guest brings something surprising and special, reminding us all that the seder’s most essential ingredient is community.

From lighting a candle and reciting Kiddush, to singing dayenu, this beautiful portrait of Jewish heritage is filled with joy. With bright illustrations and simple, yet informative, text there's no better way to introduce little ones to this special holiday.