This is the third in a three-part series from PJ Library and Ammud. Families can watch together as Rabbi Tiferet Berenbaum shares an all-ages version of the story of Hannah, from the Book of Samuel. Use the sections below to learn more together.
You can read about Hannah and her prayer in the Tanakh in the first chapters of I Samuel
You can view a version of Hannah’s Prayer in a siddur here (page 150 in the siddur, 12 in the pdf)
As we hear in the story above, Hannah was overcome with emotion – so much so that the high priest initially scolded her. But we learn from Hannah’s fervent and silent prayer and the way it comes to fruition that it’s not about the way that someone prays – it’s about their kavanah or intention.
A lot of Jewish communities from North Africa and Asia think about this story every morning when they pray, and include Hannah’s Prayer in their siddurim (prayer books). Hannah was so creative and honest in her prayer that we remember her and follow her prayer style to this day.
We read Hannah’s story in the first book of Samuel during Rosh Hashanah – a reminder, as we enter the new year, to focus our intentions even when we can’t find the words to voice them. Like Hannah, Benny, the main character in the PJ Library book, Bagels from Benny written by Aubrey Davis and illustrated by Dušan Petričić, has an eye-opening (and life changing) experience as he prays with his grandfather.
Like Hannah and Benny, we reach out into the universe with our prayers (tefillah in Hebrew), but is anyone listening? Most of us don’t hear an audible voice in answer, but if we pay attention as Hannah did, we may feel God communicating in many ways—in kindness from a stranger, in the beauty of nature, and sometimes even in the challenges we face. If we keep our eyes, ears, and hearts open, we might begin to notice divine messages all around us.
Big Question
Can you think of a time when you wanted or needed something so much you almost didn’t have the words to say how you felt?
Do
Think about your goals and about setting intentions, then try one of these activities.
Learn Together
Watch
Hannah’s son grows up to be the prophet Samuel. Watch this animated video from BimBam to learn more about his role in the life of King David.
Read
There’s a story from the Baal Shem Tov about a young boy who follows his father, a shepherd, to services on Yom Kippur. The child is so moved by the sounds of the service that he pulls out his flute and begins to play. While some of the adults shush him and scold his father, the Baal Shem Tov comments that the boy’s music helped “carry our prayers to God.” There are many versions of this story retold throughout Jewish tradition—sometimes the boy says the alef-bet instead of playing a flute, sometimes he is drawing instead of speaking – but the message remains the same: his intention is what matters.
Rabbi Tuvia retells his favorite version in this PROOF Magazine piece.
For grown-ups:
Read this article about Hannah’s Prayer from My Jewish Learning
About Ammud
Ammud is a national organization cultivating the next generation of Jewish leaders of color through Torah learning, educator training support, clergy support, family programs, thought leadership, and community building. By investing in inclusive Jewish wisdom, Ammud strengthens the future of Jewish life and ensures that the wisdom of our tradition reflects the full diversity of the Jewish people. Learn more about Ammud at Ammud.org and join a program near you!
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June 29, 2026