But God Remembered by Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso

Captions would have been helpful for some photos such as a picture of a Muslim boy in a distinctive white cape and jeweled hat, which remains unexplained in the text.Ī useful if occasionally preachy introduction, this book would benefit from the inclusion of more specific details, including holidays and eating customs.

Interestingly, Israel and India, seemingly obvious choices, are not included. The attractive photos are often cropped into circular or curvilinear shapes and presented on brightly colored pages, giving the book the look of a magazine. Identified by religion but not by country, the photos were taken in the United States and eight other nations, including Mexico, Turkey and Vietnam. (Sunni and Shiite Muslims are not delineated.) Activities will help children, teachers and parents think about religion in a comparative manner, although no sources or further reading are provided, which is a glaring omission. The text can be very specific, mentioning branches of Judaism (Orthodox, Conservative, Reform and Reconstructionist) without explaining the differences. After short descriptions of each religion, common themes, such as the Golden Rule, spiritual leaders, sacred texts, clothing, symbols, places of worship, worship acts (use of incense, candles, water, and prayer), charity and cherishing children are explored. The authors assume readers will be people of faith, not atheists or agnostics. To encourage tolerance, the photographer/authors want to help children understand similarities among Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Islam and Judaism. Andersen's painted portrait figures are done in warm tones against mixed color blue and purple backgrounds enclosed, along with several text pages, in wide, pale frames.

Lively dialogue and occasionally modern phrasing-``But You, God, do not play favorites''-give these new midrashim an informal tone, lighter and much more engaging than the sketchy entries in Yona Zeldis McDonough's Eve and Her Sisters: Women of the Old Testament (1994). All are seen as courageous and strong minded: When Adam decides that only he will name animals, Lilith angrily moves to another part of Eden and Eve takes her place next to Adam only Serach has the courage to tell her grandfather Jacob that Joseph is still alive Bityah defies her father Pharaoh to draw baby Moses from the river when the ``Daughters of Z'' learn that only men will own farms in the promised land, they steadily petition the chain of authority until God renders a different judgement. Sasso (God's Paintbrush, 1992, etc.) gives women more presence in the Old Testament by fleshing out fragmentary references to Lilith, Serach, Meroe (later known as Bityah), and the five daughters of Zelophehad.

But God Remembered by Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso