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The Always Prayer Shawl
"Some things change. And some things don't."
That simple truth, whispered in a synagogue, echoes throughout this deeply felt picture book. Adam, a young Jewish boy in czarist Russia, must flee his ancestral home at the outbreak of the revolution. Before he sets sail for a new land, his grandfather gives him a prayer shawl that was handed to him by his own grandfather, who was also named Adam. And so the life of Adam and his prayer shawl unfolds from time past to time present, when Adam has a grandson of his own. Some things change and some things don't. Sheldon Oberman's picture book about the strength of tradition and the passing of generations is given powerful expression in Ted Lewin's atmospheric illustrations.
That simple truth, whispered in a synagogue, echoes throughout this deeply felt picture book. Adam, a young Jewish boy in czarist Russia, must flee his ancestral home at the outbreak of the revolution. Before he sets sail for a new land, his grandfather gives him a prayer shawl that was handed to him by his own grandfather, who was also named Adam. And so the life of Adam and his prayer shawl unfolds from time past to time present, when Adam has a grandson of his own. Some things change and some things don't. Sheldon Oberman's picture book about the strength of tradition and the passing of generations is given powerful expression in Ted Lewin's atmospheric illustrations.
40 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1993
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 28, 2023
Read for English Reading Circle.
Very well enjoyed, and I enjoyed teaching the participants the history of the topics in these many advanced picture books
Very well enjoyed, and I enjoyed teaching the participants the history of the topics in these many advanced picture books
November 28, 2016
Brief Review
This fictional story tells the story of Adam, a young jewish boy in czarist Russia. Due to war and famine, his family is forced to find refuge in America. Adam's grandfather stays behind, but gives the boy a prayer shawl that has been passed through generations. Throughout Adam's life, the prayer shawl serves as a reminder of his heritage, religion, and namesake. The book was genuine and thoughtful.
Content Areas
In a history class, this book could serve as an introduction to this time period. In the beginning of the book, Adam gets his eggs from a chicken and heat from cutting wood and making a fire. Students could be asked to imagine how they could accomplish daily tasks without the luxury of modern conveniences. This book could also be used to teach a history class about refugees.
Comprehension Questions
In what ways did Adam's grandfather make an impact on him? Adam was named after his grandfather. His grandfather taught him Hebrew and gave him the prayer shawl.
Adam's grandfather tells him, "Some things change and some things don't." Adam passes this wisdom to his grandson.
In what ways does Adam change throughout the story? Adam moves to America and learns English, we see him grow into an old man, he has a family of his own.
Wonders
I wonder if girls were allowed to go to the grandfather's classes.
Do Jewish people wear a prayer shawl to church?
Do Jewish people typically go to church on Saturdays?
This fictional story tells the story of Adam, a young jewish boy in czarist Russia. Due to war and famine, his family is forced to find refuge in America. Adam's grandfather stays behind, but gives the boy a prayer shawl that has been passed through generations. Throughout Adam's life, the prayer shawl serves as a reminder of his heritage, religion, and namesake. The book was genuine and thoughtful.
Content Areas
In a history class, this book could serve as an introduction to this time period. In the beginning of the book, Adam gets his eggs from a chicken and heat from cutting wood and making a fire. Students could be asked to imagine how they could accomplish daily tasks without the luxury of modern conveniences. This book could also be used to teach a history class about refugees.
Comprehension Questions
In what ways did Adam's grandfather make an impact on him? Adam was named after his grandfather. His grandfather taught him Hebrew and gave him the prayer shawl.
Adam's grandfather tells him, "Some things change and some things don't." Adam passes this wisdom to his grandson.
In what ways does Adam change throughout the story? Adam moves to America and learns English, we see him grow into an old man, he has a family of his own.
Wonders
I wonder if girls were allowed to go to the grandfather's classes.
Do Jewish people wear a prayer shawl to church?
Do Jewish people typically go to church on Saturdays?
July 20, 2010
This book is great for introducing religion into a social studies classroom. Students who want to further explore the Jewish faith could do so in a research project by defining words from this book like "Hebrew" and "synagogue." Teachers could also use this book to teach about displacement from war and the effects that it has on families that are separated by generations. Teachers can ask students if they are aware of family members who immigrated to the United States and if they have kept any of the traditions or culture from the family members who immigrated. This book opens up much discussion for different cultures. It also shows a good comparison between urban and rural communities if teachers wanted to address the differences within a geography lesson.
March 14, 2012
Adam is a young Jewish boy growing up in a poor village in Russia. When times get hard and soldiers are everywhere Adam's family decide to leave Russia. When Adam hears that his beloved grandfather will be staying in Russia he becomes very upset. His grandfather gives him his prayer shawl which was given to him by his grandfather. With it Adam will never forget his grandfather.
When the family arrives in America Adam notices that everything is different. Their whole lives are going to change. But with his grandfathers' prayer shawl Saturday Sabbath prayers will remain the same. As time goes on Adam grows up. As the prayer shawl wears out he sews on new parts. In this way his grandfather is always with him.
When the family arrives in America Adam notices that everything is different. Their whole lives are going to change. But with his grandfathers' prayer shawl Saturday Sabbath prayers will remain the same. As time goes on Adam grows up. As the prayer shawl wears out he sews on new parts. In this way his grandfather is always with him.
November 14, 2016
The Always Prayer Shawl
Oberman, Sheldon
Adam lived a long time ago as a child he went to town in a cart and buggy, he cut firewood to warm himself, and learned from his grandfather. When his family left their home because of difficult times he took his grandfathers prayer shaw. His grand father said that despite all that changes somethings stay the same. He passes on this advice to his grandson in the same way, as his name was passed on to the next generation.
Oberman, Sheldon
Adam lived a long time ago as a child he went to town in a cart and buggy, he cut firewood to warm himself, and learned from his grandfather. When his family left their home because of difficult times he took his grandfathers prayer shaw. His grand father said that despite all that changes somethings stay the same. He passes on this advice to his grandson in the same way, as his name was passed on to the next generation.
January 7, 2023
This was a moving Jewish Story. It is an amazing picture book about the changes and staying the same that is life in the Jewish world view. It is the story of a family prayer shawl that gets passed down from generation to generation, from grandfather to grandson.
It is a powerful book about tradition, and family and the power of blessing and the traditional sense of inheritance.
(First written as Journal Reading Notes in 1999.)
It is a powerful book about tradition, and family and the power of blessing and the traditional sense of inheritance.
(First written as Journal Reading Notes in 1999.)
August 12, 2013
This is a lovely tale of family, faith and change. The organization of the story is clever and will make a young reader really think about life at the turn of the century and how it is different from present day. I enjoyed the story but it seemed to move quickly and I would have enjoyed more about the trip from Russia and life in America.
November 30, 2016
I like the exposure to the history in this book. I like to point out to my kids what people used to have lives much more difficult than ours and that we should be thankful for the relatively easy life we have. I love the continuance of the tradition of prayer in this Jewish family and the connection of the generations.
January 26, 2015
A recommend for those of y'all who have BOYKERS or YINGELEHS. Love the illustrations (sort of like a tracing of photographs). Great way to educate the KINDERLECH about Eastern Europe and the Lower East Side.
March 20, 2008
A beautiful book about a Jewish prayer shawl. A smart story about change.
June 17, 2008
A prayer shawl from Russia undergoes repairs but remains the same - just as a young man grows and ages but remains always adam
May 7, 2015
I was a good story for a person of any faith.
September 8, 2011
Very nice message, but sad-looking illustrations.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews