Under the Sabbath Lamp

by Michael Herman, Alida Massari (Contributor)

When Izzy and Olivia Bloom invite their neighbors over for Shabbat dinner, everyone is shocked to find out that the Blooms don't have Shabbat candles. Instead, they have something much more unusual: an antique Sabbath lamp that's been passed down from generation to generation. How did the Sabbath lamp get to America? That's a good story . . .

Genres: Picture Books, Jewish, Cultural, Faith

32 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2017

Reviews

[Joey Gremillion · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I have a new favorite author of Jewish children's stories. Well done.

[Shoshanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this! I love stories that connect people to their family histories! I'd love to see a Shabbos lamp like this in real life!

Also the illustration style had a lil whimsy to it in a way that channels the Global Village Coffeehouse aesthetic!

[K.L. Bernard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Izzy and Olivia’s family are new to the neighborhood. Every Friday evening, they are invited to a different family’s home. They light Shabbat candles, enjoy festive meals and sing songs. The girls thought it was time to invite these families to their home for Shabbat dinner. But when the families arrived everyone noticed they didn’t have Shabbat candles. Instead they used a shiny brass chandelier shaped like a star. Do you think they were still able to celebrate Shabbat?

Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath, begins every Friday night and ends when three stars appear in the sky on Saturday night. It is a time of rest, joy and family celebration. Shabbat is welcomed by lighting candles and saying blessings over wine and challah. Young readers will learn about Jewish culture and enjoy the cheerful illustrations. This is a great read for beginners. Parents and teachers can use this tool to teach this Jewish holiday.

[Jill H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Izzy and Oliva Bloom are invited to Sabbath dinner by many families throughout their neighborhood. Oliva made lemon bars and Izzy brought homemade cherry cordial. Their dinners were festive times which included the lighting of two candles, a blessing for welcoming Shabbat, eating the meal, singing Shabbat songs, and eating dessert. One day they decide to invite their neighbors to a Shabbat meal at their house. Their guests are shocked that they don't light candles at the start of Shabbat. The Bloom's explain to them that they use a Hanging Sabbath Lamp instead and give the story behind how they inherited it. That store inspires their neighbors to talk about things that they inherited in their families as well.

This story gives a glimpse about how people celebrated the Sabbath in earlier times. It shows that there is another way to bring in the Sabbath with candles. The Sabbath lamp illuminated the whole dining room, which gave light to the table, the people that sat under it, and the meal. I liked the note about the Hanging Sabbath Lamp in the back of the book, which shows a picture of one. This book can be (and probably already has been to some people) a door opener about more ancient ways of celebrating Sabbath. It will help children to compare how Sabbath candle lighting is done in a lot of families today through lighting candles at the table, versus using a Hanging Sabbath Lamp in earlier times.

My review= 5 out of 5 stars

I received a hardback copy of this book free for the purpose of reviewing it.

[Bridgid Sauter · Rating 2 out of 5]

While this is a heart-warming tale of family tradition and celebration, the illustration on page 18 makes the work somewhat problematic. The bandits that rob Izzy's ancestor are drawn with darker skin and black hair. This robbery occurs in 19th century Germany, where there were very few people with such complexions. This imagery, even if unintended, can reinforce the narrative of the "criminal" or "bad" person of color.

For a book that is trying to celebrate tradition and difference, it unintentionally undermines its message of inclusion by that one illustration.

[Ilana · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Shabbes table inspires stories. Gathered around the table on a Friday evening, the guests notice that Izzy and Olivia Bloom do light a different kind of candles: it is a curious lamp. The questions about the unusual custom is answered by a long family story about how the lamp arrived from Germany to America and what was its story. Besides the general message of sharing tradition and personal stories, this book also teaches about accepting difference and stop judging before understanding the reason of the difference. As in the story, you might remember about your tablecloth with wine stains, each stain having its own special story and other inherited treasures we were transmitted from a generation to another. I loved the illustrations as well.