Rivka's First Thanksgiving
If you've ever felt conflicted about whether Jews should celebrate Thanksgiving, this children's book just might answer the question. Rivka's First Thanksgiving, by Elsa Okon Rael, is a story about a young girl who finds her voice and uses it with her grandmother, her rabbi, and eventually the beit din (rabinic court)! [read on...]
As described on dreamyreads.com, the story takes place on the Lower East Side of New York around 1910. Rivka and her family have recently moved to the U.S. from the old world and, at school, Rivka learns about Thanksgiving. She comes to her grandmother and asks whether they can celebrate Thanksgiving. Not sure, her grandmother heads to her local rabbi who says: NO!
Rivka doesn’t feel good about this decision, so she decides to do something about it. This is a story of standing up for something you believe in. It’s a story about respecting your elders. It’s a story of working within the system for change. Basically, it’s a great story, and perfect for your own little questioning minds.
Find more wonderful children's book recommendations at dreamyreads.com, a joyous site founded by a Kosher Hostess devotee who believs that "reading kids are dreaming kids!"