“All of a Kind Family: Hanukkah”
by Emily Jenkins, illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky.
Random House, New York, 2018, K-3.
One of the happiest feasts in the Jewish year is Hanukkah. In 2022, Hanukkah starts Dec. 18 and ends Dec. 26. It is commonly called the Festival of Lights because it is a remembrance of the re-dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem after the Greek Seleucid forces had profaned the holy site.
Judas Maccabees and his army, having defeated the heretical Seleucid forces, found the Temple nearly destroyed. While cleaning the Temple, Judas wanted to light the holy candles but could only find a small amount of unprofaned oil. Thinking the oil would quickly burn out, the Maccabees lit the oil. The holy candles continued to burn for eight days and the Jewish people believed this to be miraculous, which indeed it was. Emily Jenkins tells the story of the celebration of Hanukkah by a Jewish immigrant family in New York. The name of this touching story is: “All of a Kind Family: Hanukkah.”
Five sisters are bustling about their New York tenement apartment in 1912. Gertie is only 4 years old and wants to help making the latkes or potato pancakes. But her older sisters are sternly told by their mother that Gertie is too young to hold the sharp potato peeler or the chopping knives.
After she has been told several times that she is to too little to help, Gertie runs crying to her room. As the delicious smells of the baking chicken and fried onions and latkes wafts into the bedroom, the child crawls under her bed. She will show them; they will not be able to find her for the lighting of the candles of Hanukkah.
Morose, Gertie feels abandoned by her mother and sisters. Why won’t they let her help? She wants to help. Crying under her bed, she waits. Finally, her father comes into the bedroom looking for her. He pretends to look for her under the pillow and covers. Calling her name, he reaches under the bed with a cookie. Well, maybe someone cares about the little girl after all.
Gently cradling Gertie, Papa carries her downstairs. He tells her that he has an important job for her. The menorah, the candelabrum stands with its nine candles. Eight candles represent the days of the re-consecration of the Temple by Judas Maccabees, and the ninth candle from which all the candles are lit. The ninth candle in the middle of the menorah is known as the Shamash, or helper. Papa holds Gertie close, Hanukkah can’t begin until someone lights the Shamash. Who helps Papa?
This is one of the most endearing books you will ever read. In addition to honoring one of the most important holy days of Judaism, Emily Jenkins has created a book demonstrating the love and beauty of a Jewish family. The pictures of Papa holding Gertie will bring tears to your eyes. After reading the book, you will begin searching for recipes for making latkes or potato pancakes.
This book was modeled after the books of the famous Jewish-American children’s writer, Sidney Taylor. I loved everything about this book and hope that you can share it with your family. After reading the book, go make some potato pancakes with your family. L’Chaim!
