Engineer Ari and the Rosh Hashanah Ride

by Deborah Bodin Cohen, Shahar Kober (Illustrator)

A Rosh Hashanah story based on the first historic train ride from Jaffa to Jerusalem in 1892, shortening the journey between the two cities from 3 days to 3 hours. Engineer Ari's train is coming to Jerusalem collecting goodies along the way to celebrate the Jewish new year, and he learns an important lesson along the way.

Genres: Jewish, Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2008

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspired by the first train voyage from Jaffa to Jerusalem, made in 1892, author Deborah Bodin Cohen spins the fictional story of Engineer Ari, the train driver who made that trip. After boasting to his friends Nathaniel and Jessie, Ari drives the train on its 3.5 hour trip, encountering many of the things - apples, honey, challah, the shofar - associated with Rosh Hashanah celebrations. Regretting his treatment of his friends, Ari turns the train around in Jerusalem, determined to return and apologize...

The first of four picture-books featuring Engineer Ari and the Jewish holidays, Engineer Ari and the Rosh Hashanah Ride pairs an engaging tale from American author, rabbi and bookstore-owner Deborah Bodin Cohen with bright, colorful artwork from Israeli illustrator Shahar Kober. The historical aspect is explored more fully in the brief afterword, which discusses the opening of the Jaffa-Jerusalem train line, while the narrative itself explores both the objects that are associated with Rosh Hashanah, and the importance of teshuvah - repentance for wrongdoing and a determination to do better - that is associated with Yom Kippur. Recommended to picture-book readers looking for stories about the Jewish High Holy Days, or about historical train lines.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent little book that uses the "hook" of a child's interest in trains to teach them about Rosh Hashanah and the concept of teshuvah. My kids love trains, especially the old fashioned steam locomotives like the one Engineer Ari drives, and I like to buy them books that play on that interest. When I read the description of this book I was especially interested; we are not Jewish, but I want to expose my kids to the wide world and all its people and ideas. And the idea of repenting and making up for our mistakes is a universal lesson that everyone could benefit from! We enjoyed the illustrations, the details that taught little bits of Jewish tradition, and everything else about this book.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engineer Ari is chosen to take the first train from Jaffa to Jerusalem in 1892. His friends are not chosen, and he doesn't say goodbye to them. Later, he feels bad and resolves to say sorry. I liked the simple message of repentance. It was also interesting to see what the train may have seen on its trip.

[Shoshanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK I really did not like the sequel to this book because it didn't really make sense, but this first book, about the first train to run from Jaffa to Jerusalem, is sweet and fun. The illustrations make me wanna go back to Israel, and the stops only take place at actual stops. In the back there's more historical information about the early Jaffa-Jerusalem train line!

[Julie Ditton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This adorable picture book blends young children's love of trains with lessons about the High Holy Days. Rabbi Deborah Bodin Cohen has based the story on the 1892 opening of the Israeli train line that connected Jaffa to Jerusalem. In this fictional story, before the first ride, the engineer boasts about his honor and fights with his friends. He collects Rosh Hashanah items along the way to bring to Jerusalem: apples, honey, round challahs and shofars. As he does so, he regrets the way he treated his friends and knows that he must apologies and make amends. This sweet story teaches Rosh Hashanah symbols and the concept of Teshuvah, or turning oneself around, that is so important at Yom Kippur. Little ones will love the story and learn a lot at the same time. Although this book is intended for Jewish children, It does have a glossary before the story and has enough explanation for adults to share the story with kids from any culture. The afterward includes a passage explaining the history of the Jaffa to Jerusalem line.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an unexpected treat and I think it will be a hit for many families as it combines trains, historical fiction and Rosh Hashanah traditions. My boys really liked it. Most of the picture books I've encountered about Rosh Hashanah feature family celebrations -- which is great, but it was interesting to see something with the focus centered on the working world. The story is insprired by the first train voyage from Jaffa to Jerusalem, made in 1892 (which reduced the travel time from three days to three and a half hours!) Here, our fictional engineer, Ari, is so excited to be assigned to that first train ride that he becomes boastful and offends his other engineer friends. As he travels to Jerusalem, various symbols of holiday are taken aboard at stops along the way (apples, honey, challah, and shofar). As he wishes Happy New Year to the people at each stop, he remembers that this the perfect time for realizing your mistakes and making amends with those you have wronged. He sets out on the return trip determined to apologize to his friends. "I want to do teshuvah." Back matter includes a brief note about the real first train journey from Jerusalem to Jaffa, along with a photograph. It appears there are other books in the Engineer Ari series for other holidays.

[Sq.Hill Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new book about Rosh Hashanah, perfect for 3-6 year olds. Especially those obsessed with trains! (But other kids will like it too!) A picture book retelling of the first train to run from Jaffa to Jerusalem. The story follows many actual occurances and adds in a lesson about humility and being able to apologize to friends (asking for forgiveness is a big part of the High Holidays). Many Rosh Hashanah symbols are also written about and explained throughout the story.

Its really quite unfortunate that there is not yet a library in the system that has this title on order. I will still be recommending it to parents as one that is worth the investment and that they should consider purchasing it for their little ones.

[Jennifer Heise · Rating 2 out of 5]

Got this from PJ Library. Combining an interesting (factual) historical tidbit with a train story and details about the celebration of Rosh Hashanah, with an added lesson about not bragging and apologizing when you hurt someone's feelings-- thus a link to Yom Kippur. It didn't grab our attention and was really too long to be used in our preschool 'Hebrew school' class; we're passing it on to another child.

[Denicemarcell]

Another train I want to ride!
I was introduced to Engineer Ari at the Yiddish Book Center.
In this book the first train run between Jaffa to Jerusalem ever is given to Engineer Ari rather than to either of his friends Jessie and Nathaniel. Ari is boastful and mean to his friends as the chosen one. On the route to Jerusalem he is given supplies for the Rosh Hashanah celebrations which remind him of his friends and his need to apologize to them for being mean and boasting.

[Megan Conroy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really cute book to introduce another different culture in which takes place in Jerusalem and Jaffa. Not only is there adventure and illustrations that kids will love, but there is a lesson about friendship and being humble in there as well. I think this book does a pretty good job of entertaining and teaching a lesson of history all in one. There is an authors note in the back of the book that I liked that explains a little more about the historical background of the story.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little wordy for my three year olds, especially so early in the year (although they liked making the sound effects!), but I loved the fact that it was based on the Tachanah Rishonah, which had a huge impact on Israeli history! I may have geeked out over that more than my students, but I think I did a pretty good job giving them a basic intro to Israeli history from that perspective. All in all, it was an awesome book and I’d totally read it again.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the book, but I think the book could have gone a little bit further with actually saying sorry. I also think another step could be done with explaining the symbols a little bit more and why they are important for the Jewish tradition. It would have been a nice touch to have the shofar calls part of the book too.

[Haelee Jenft · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is based off of the first historic train ride. I think that this story is super entertaining to kids and is a good read aloud. Illustrations are super cool and basing it off of a true story makes it more real. When children's books are based off of real history, I tend to be able to engage into them more because it is realistic.

[Allyson Goose · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 4YO and 6YO really liked this book! I enjoyed learning about the history of what is now the State of Israel, including the significance of laying train tracks between Jaffa and Jerusalem. We also appreciated learning more Rosh Hashanah, including saying sorry and traditional foods to eat.

[CML OSU]

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[Brittnay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Introduction to a jewish holiday!

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like that this is set in Israel. I am going to try out this and the other book about forgiveness and then let the kids vote on which they prefer.

[Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very repetitive. Not great story line. It did highlight some of the things grown or made in Israel (olives, etc).

[Ashley Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I lovely children's book about valuing friendships at the start of a new year!

[K Morlando · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great addition to our Rosh Hashanah lesson!

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an alright book. I felt like it was really long and that the story dragged a bit. I enjoyed the illustrations and the story overall though.

[Barbara Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE this book! I especially enjoyed the Shahar Kober illustrations.