JCC Association's Early Childhood Curriculum Project 'This New Month'

For Children

Iyar brings us Lag BaOmer and Israel’s Independence Day. The books listed here are meant to inspire reflection on our Jewish identity, temperament, and ultimate need for Israel, our Jewish homeland.

The Jewish Child’s First Book of Why by Alfred Kolatch, Illustrated by Harry Araten (1992). Published by Jonathan David Publishers, New York.

The book asks and answers a dozen or so simple, direct questions ranging from "Why do we place a mezuza on our doorposts?" to "Why do we celebrate Lag B’Omer?" It may be better used as a resource than as a story book.

All in My Jewish Family by Kenneth Roseman (1984). Published by Union of American Hebrew Congregations.

This starts as a workbook about Jewish identity that may serve to trigger discussions in the classroom. The main part of the book is a collection of stories focusing on children with different types of Jewish backgrounds, homelands, and histories. There are engaging photographs.

The Jews: One People by Barbara Bar-Nissim (1989). Published by United Synagogues of America, Commission on Jewish Education.

This book illustrates some of the differences and similarities of our Jewish rituals, based upon where the family originated or what type of Judaism they practice. The book covers holidays and life cycle events.

The Treasure by Uri Shulevitz (1978). Published by Farrar, Straus, and Giroux.

This is a beautifully illustrated folktale about an elderly man who dreams of treasure. He travels through great distance and hardship, only to discover his treasure was closer that he thought.

Something From Nothing, adapted from a folktale by Phoebe Gilman (1992). Published by Scholastic Press, New York.

The illustrations provide stories within the story about the ingenuity of a grandfather, rescuing his grandson’s blanket - with a delightful surprise ending. Examination of the pictures reveals details about shtetl life and some clever mice.

For Early Childhood Educators

There are some great Web sites which provide background information about the month of Iyar and its holidays, as well as sites which provided information about how to teach children about Israel. Here are a few suggested sites:

www.israelives.org/childed/childed.html

This online article, entitled "Israel in Jewish Early Childhood Education" is written by Dr. Ruth Pinkenson Feldman, Director of Early Childhood Services for the JCCA and Shira Ackerman Simchovitch, the Director of the Early Childhood Division of the Department of Jewish Zionist education at the Jewish Agency for Israel. The article features valuable information about teaching young children about Israel. The article provides useful information to help American early childhood educators to reflect upon and plan curricula about Israel for their students.

www.orthodoxunion.com/chagim

This site, hosted by the Orthodox Union, provides background information about the month of Iyar and its holidays in a very clear manner. This site also provides useful background information about Rosh Chodesh and Jewish months and holidays.