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My Name is Rachamim by Jonathan P. Kendall
Rachamim and his family, Jews suffering from discrimination in Ethiopia, are forced to flee the country and finally make it to a new home in Israel.
Hardcover
First published June 1, 1987
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October 9, 2021
Writing a review, since there aren't any yet.
Illustrations: they are in black and white, not color. That is a pity. The illustration on the cover is in color, watercolor in fact. The illustration on the cover seems at once more distant and real because of the watercolor.
Text: Historically important. Discusses the history Beta Esrael, and how they were considered as falasha and treated as falasha in Ethiopia. The story told is age appropriate. Jewish children and their families would easily draw lines between the story in this book and the story of Pesach. At the same time, if a non-Jewish family member or teacher were to want to share this book and talk about Beta Esrael, non-Jewish children could understand. Rachamim loved his home in Ethiopia, and Beta Esrael persisted for so long in spite of so much suffering as falasha. Rachamim is happy in Israel though, where he is free to worship and there are Jews from all over the world. Final paragraph in the book: "My name is Rachamim. Perhaps some day if you visit this land, we will meet. I have so much more to tell, about the Beta Esrael, about being lifted up on eagles' wings, about coming home to Zion, to Israel."
Be aware: famine, religious persecution, and flight towards freedom are discussed. Hunger is discussed. If your child is familiar with the story of Pesach, they are ready for this, as it is about the same sort of depth as a Siddur. Also be aware that this is a book for a child with a pretty good attention span, as it does not run short on text.
Unfamiliar adults who wish to seem particularly wise and knowledgeable about Beta Esrael would do well to memorize the Introduction. There is also a glossary in the back.
Illustrations: they are in black and white, not color. That is a pity. The illustration on the cover is in color, watercolor in fact. The illustration on the cover seems at once more distant and real because of the watercolor.
Text: Historically important. Discusses the history Beta Esrael, and how they were considered as falasha and treated as falasha in Ethiopia. The story told is age appropriate. Jewish children and their families would easily draw lines between the story in this book and the story of Pesach. At the same time, if a non-Jewish family member or teacher were to want to share this book and talk about Beta Esrael, non-Jewish children could understand. Rachamim loved his home in Ethiopia, and Beta Esrael persisted for so long in spite of so much suffering as falasha. Rachamim is happy in Israel though, where he is free to worship and there are Jews from all over the world. Final paragraph in the book: "My name is Rachamim. Perhaps some day if you visit this land, we will meet. I have so much more to tell, about the Beta Esrael, about being lifted up on eagles' wings, about coming home to Zion, to Israel."
Be aware: famine, religious persecution, and flight towards freedom are discussed. Hunger is discussed. If your child is familiar with the story of Pesach, they are ready for this, as it is about the same sort of depth as a Siddur. Also be aware that this is a book for a child with a pretty good attention span, as it does not run short on text.
Unfamiliar adults who wish to seem particularly wise and knowledgeable about Beta Esrael would do well to memorize the Introduction. There is also a glossary in the back.
Displaying 1 of 1 review