Kimmel, Eric A. 2004. WONDERS AND MIRACLES: A PASSOVER COMPANION. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 0439071755 [Suggested Grade Levels 5-10]
REVIEW
This work is indeed a companion suitable for older children as well as young adults who want to understand why Passover is celebrated and why certain rituals take place. This book is a wonderful compilation of stories, illustrations, poems and commentary about a holiday that many non Jews may reduce to being the equivalent or comparable to Christmas but which is entirely different. The book’s text is presented in the order that a traditional seder takes place. Past the table of contents, the page facing it is a verse from Exodus: “It shall be that when you come to the land that God has promised, you shall serve this service….” Each section typically has a full color reproduced illustration taken from various times in history which depicts some aspect of Passover.
On a basic level there is a one page listing of the fourteen parts of the Seder meal that is a part of the Passover celebration followed by a description of the items of food which traditionally are on the “menu.” This counterpoises a few pages which take up Jewish mysticism or Soviet Jewry in the 1960s. These varied levels are recognitions from the author that there can be no sane way one book can cover so much material so the author attempts to present the most visually interesting and the most thoughtful stories rather than to present watered down material. In short this one book revels in the Passover as liberation which makes the resulting book both spiritually enriching but also socially thoughtful. The bibliography lists the most useful sources in the book’s creation. The index appears to include most major terms or concepts which are covered in the text itself. Matzel Tov indeed for such an outstanding creation.
CONNECTIONS
Gather a variety of books, both fiction and nonfiction, on cultural celebrations. Afterwards, the group will discuss what some of the common traits of all celebrations are and what makes certain ones especially unique.
RELATED BOOKS
Books about celebrations or holidays observed all over the world:
Livingston, Myra Cohn. CELEBRATIONS. ISBN 0823405508
Robson, Pam. HOW I CELEBRATE. ISBN 0761319522
By Andrea L. Williams
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