Your kids can’t learn everything on their own. They’ll often need someone to guide them: a teacher. The word probably conjures an image of the person working in your child’s classroom. But kids will encounter lots of different types of teachers throughout their lives, not just the ones at their school. The Jewish concept of lomed mikol adam reminds people that every person we meet can teach us something new because every unique person has something special to offer the world. .
The stories in this list feature interesting role models, unexpected lessons, and interesting and wonderful teachers.
Recommended for ages 5 to 8
Yankel loves to spread the rumors he hears when he’s in his father’s store in the shtetl. But he doesn’t realize how harmful this can be, so the rabbi decides to teach him an important lesson.
Recommended for children ages 8 and up
In the fictitious town of Elk Spring, Colorado, circa 1870, Rabbi Harvey shares Talmudic wisdom, Jewish folktales (and a lot more!) through a number of short, humorous adventures.
Recommended for ages 7 to 8
When Grandma Jacobs teaches Shoshana how to make traditional paper cuts, Shoshana wants to make art just as beautiful as her grandmother’s. Can she do it? Maybe she’ll learn more important lessons along the way.
Recommended for ages 3 to 6
In this beloved tale from Eastern Europe, a distraught man discovers a positive attitude for dealing with the overcrowding in his small home.
Recommended for ages 6 to 7
Joha, a trickster character popular in Sephardic folklore, has found a magic stick! Unfortunately, this magic stick gets all Joha’s wishes wrong. But before long, Joha figures out a way to use this to his advantage -- and to hilarious effect.
Recommended for ages 6 to 7
Lilly loves her purse -- but when she disrupts class with it, her teacher has to take it away for a while. Lilly doesn't react so well...and soon she's going to have to learn how to say two of the most important words: "I'm sorry."
Recommended for children ages 3 to 4
When the teacher gives Michael and his preschool class a day without rules, the children learn what it would be like if there were no rules to follow.
Recommended for children 7 to 8 years old
This humorous rhyming story, based on a well-known Jewish legend, invites families to consider how they prepare for the Sabbath and encourages conversations on the value of material goods and the importance of being happy with what we have. This new version of a classic tale was created in a collaboration between Sifriyat Pijama and Keter publishing house.
Recommended for children 8 years or older
Yossi lives in a small Hungarian village. He’s a shoemaker who not only mends shoes but also gives sage advice to his neighbors. When a wealthy merchant invites Yossi to his daughter's wedding, the shoemaker teaches the bride’s father an important lesson.
September 29, 2017