Passover: Festival of Freedom

by Monique Polak

Overview

During Passover, Jews are reminded of how, more than three thousand years ago, their ancestors emerged from slavery to become free men and women.

Bestselling author Monique Polak explores her own Jewish roots as she tells the Passover story, which reminds us that the freedom to be who we are and practice our religion, whatever it may be, is a great gift. It also teaches us that if we summon our courage and look out for each other, we can endure and overcome the most challenging circumstances. Enlivened by personal stories, Passover reminds us that we can all endure and overcome the most challenging circumstances.

Passover is the first in the Orca Origins series that examines ancient traditions kept alive in the modern world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781459809925
Publisher:	Orca Book Publishers
Publication date:	02/16/2016
Series:	Orca Origins Series , #1
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	72
Lexile:	1020L (what's this?)
File size:	6 MB
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

Monique Polak is the author of more than thirty books for young people. She is the three-time winner of the Quebec Writers' Federation Prize for Children's and YA Literature for her novels Hate Mail, What World is Left and Room for One More. In addition to teaching at Marianopolis College in Montreal, Monique is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in Maclean's Magazine, the Montreal Gazette and other Postmedia newspapers. She is also a columnist on ICI Radio-Canada's Plus on est de fous, plus on lit! In 2016, Monique was the CBC/Quebec Writers' Federation inaugural writer-in-residence. Monique lives in Montreal.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter One: What’s Passover All About?

• The Passover Story
• Celebrating Passover
• The Seder Meal
• The Ten Plagues
• Ben’s Story (Part One)

Chapter Two: Passover Before and After the Holocaust

• Ben’s Story (Part Two)
• Liselotte’s Story
• Passover 1943: The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising

Chapter Three: Passover in Action

• Kids and Passover
• Passover and the Obligation to Do Good
• Montreal Food Baskets
• Passover Food Drive
• Kehila Jewish Community Day School
• The Friendship Circle
• King David High School

Chapter Four: Passover Around the World

• Every Seder Has Its Own Flavor
• Israel
• The Netherlands
• China
• Nepal
• Italy
• Ukraine
• Ethiopia
• Iraq
• Morocco

A Final Word from the Author
Glossary
References and Resources
Index
Acknowledgments

Editorial Reviews

"Each chapter is detailed with an abundance of information...Personal stories of Holocaust survivors, Ben and Liselotte, add to the appeal and authenticity of this title...A helpful glossary, and a list of references and resources are also included. Passover is the first in a series of books in the 'Orca Origins' series which will examine 'ancient traditions kept alive in the modern world.'"

CM Magazine

"With numerous sidebars, photographs, recipes, drawings and short facts, the book...is bound to teach youngsters and adults alike how important it is to celebrate the holiday in their own way."

The Canadian Jewish News

"A fascinating look into the celebration of the Passover holiday...Insightful."

Tri State Young Adult Book Review

"Poignant...A glossary as well as an excellent reference and resource guide round out the book."

Jewish Journal

"With her convivial, chatty writing style, the material is easily absorbed, and the richness of the culture and festival shine through. Facts are augmented and enriched by the narratives of many participants...Undoubtedly, the book will encourage much discussion and sharing of religious traditions and will be a welcome and highly readable addition to various library collections."

Canadian Children's Booknews

"While this title in the Orca Origins series explains the holiday of Passover, it also goes further. In the introduction, Polak remembers her associations with the holiday while growing up in Montreal, mostly through friends’ seders...The sections in which the Holocaust survivors remember is both chilling and moving...Kids’ holiday rituals and personal stories make for an interesting mix. Illustrated with many color photos, this unique take on an ancient holiday should resonate with readers."

Booklist

"The author does a thorough job of describing the origins of Passover, the intricacies of the seder, and the importance of this event to Jews around the world. She makes it all accessible to middle-grade readers, regardless of their ethnicity, by including the stories of specific individuals (including a couple of elderly Montrealers who survived the Holocaust), focusing on the participation of children in the seder, and including some simple recipes. The result is a lively read, illustrated with many photos."

The Montreal Gazette

"Learn about Passover in this informative nonfiction book...recommended."

School Library Connection

"A must-have title, whether readers are already knowledgeable about the holiday's history and rituals or learning about them for the first time...Highly recommended for all ages."

Jewish Book Council

"The book is written in a very readable text accompanied by black and white and colour historical and contemporary captioned photographs...A great complement to a study of religious customs and multiculturalism...Highly recommend[ed]."

Resource Links

"While this title in the Orca Origins series explains the holiday of Passover, it also goes further. In the

introduction, Polak remembers her associations with the holiday while growing up in Montreal, mostly

through friends’ seders...The sections in which the Holocaust survivors remember is both chilling and moving...Kids’ holiday rituals and personal stories make for an interesting mix. Illustrated with many color photos, this unique take on an ancient holiday should resonate with readers."

Booklist

02/01/2016
Gr 5–8—A unique, eclectic Passover book. The first section ("What's Passover All About?") offers a comprehensive explanation of the history, customs, symbols, and practices of the holiday that is accessible to newcomers and will also enlighten those who already have some background. Polak then retells the personal stories of two Holocaust survivors ("Passover Before and After the Holocaust"), examining their memories of the ritual as children before the war, during the war, and once they emigrated to Canada. The third section ("Passover in Action") focuses on the tradition of feeding the hungry. Polak provides an overly detailed account of various endeavors sponsored by Jewish organizations in Canada that may lose the attention of general readers. The final part ("Passover Around the World") briefly describes how the holiday is observed in countries such as Israel, the Netherlands, China, and Nepal. Attractive, contemporary, full-color photographs are generously sprinkled throughout, but the pictures don't always match the text. Text boxes, quotes, and sidebars are effective and informative. VERDICT A useful purchase for libraries looking to enhance their Passover offerings.—Rachel Kamin, North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, Highland Park, IL

School Library Journal

2015-11-03
An overview of the holiday of Passover is elaborated with personal narratives, the story's connection to the Holocaust, and various Seder customs practiced in several countries around the world. A Canadian author and child of Holocaust survivors, Polak introduces the topic through her own personal account of a secular Jewish upbringing in Montreal. She focuses on how her research on and interest in the Holocaust brought her full circle to hosting her first Seder. The first chapter is devoted to the traditional Haggada, the book used to recount the ancient story, which includes the various rituals performed at the ceremonial meal. She introduces Ben, a Lithuanian survivor, and his version of his family's Passover observance before World War II. From here Polak clearly connects the biblical story of oppression, escape, and freedom to the Holocaust while segueing into modern-day observance and traditions. Two concluding chapters outline the Jewish community's charitable commitment to providing food baskets and support for the needy as well as the diversity of multicultural traditions for the holiday as celebrated in not only Israel, but in some Asian, European, and African countries. A plethora of photographs, informational sidebars, drawings, and recipes break up the substantial yet enlightening text. Good supplementary material to increase the holiday's meaning and currency for older children. (glossary, index, references) (Nonfiction. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews