A Tale of Two Seders

April 1, 2010
PreS-Gr 3-"The year after my mom and dad stopped being married to each other, I went to two seders in two placesone at Dad's apartment, and one at Mom's house," explains a young girl. She describes the six Passover meals that she has shared with her divorced parents over the last three years. Each celebration is unique, with memorable moments such as singing the Four Questions, using a new Haggadah, trying different recipes, meeting Dad's new girlfriend, and enjoying treats like chocolate lollipops and fried matzah. However, the charoset, the traditional dish of apples, nuts, cinnamon, and wine, never tastes quite right, and the girl dreams of her whole family celebrating the holiday together again. When her parents surprise her by joining together at the synagogue's community seder, the girl realizes that her dream has come true. And, as her mother explains to her: "families are like charoset. Some have more ingredients than others, some stick together better]some are sweeter]. But each one is tasty in its own way." Cis's delightful acrylic paintings beautifully complement the text, and four recipes for charoset are appended along with a glossary. After being one of the first to introduce young readers to women rabbis in "Ima on the Bimah" (1986) and to tackle conversion in "Mommy Never Went to Hebrew School" (1989, both Lerner), it is no surprise that Rabbi Portnoy has written this realistic, contemporary story."Rachel Kamin, North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, Highland Park, IL"

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2010
Grades 1-3 A young girl with divorced parents describes how she celebrates Passover in two separate households. She notes differences in foods, activities, and participants: Dads matzo balls are sticky, and his celebrations eventually include his new fianc'e; Mom can cook, but her seders are too long. Although she wishes her parents would reconcile, she accepts her new reality, making the culminating celebration (held at the temple with her entire family in attendance) very satisfying for this child. Portnoy, a rabbi and the author of Where Do People Go When They Die? (2004), writes with empathy and humor of this common situation. In comparing families and charoset (a traditional Passover food made with apples, nuts, and wine), Mom makes the point that each one is different but tasty in its own way. Cis brightly colored artwork is filled with holiday details, particularly the items required for a seder. The text is appended with recipes for four different types of charoset and a glossary of terms.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)