Overview
Finalist National Jewish Book Awards:
Storytelling World Awards Honor:
AJL Notable Book:
The Midrash relates this story of a once wealthy man who became poor. Forced to work the fields for his bread, he worries that he may not be able to feed his family. His wife encourages him to trust in Hashem, and all will be well. When a mysterious visitor meets him in the field one day and offers him six years of riches, he asks his clever wife what to do.
Her advice and her subsequent example of using the riches for many good deeds makes the few years last a lifetime.
This inspiring story of generosity was adapted by Leah Shollar and illustrated in soft water color drawings by a talented Russian artist. It is sure to inspire the reader with the lesson that good deeds really do last forever.
A reproduction of the original Hebrew text on the midrash, appears on the inside covers of this book.
A Thread of Kindness – A Tzedakah Story
Written by Leah Shollar illustrated by Shoshana Mekibel
ISBN: 978-1-945560-34-7
Softcover / pages 32 / Ages 3-7 / List Price $12.00
Available in paperback POD edition from Amazon
Hardcover edition – Published September 2000; ISBN: 978-1-929628-01-8 / LCCN: 00-101858
Author Information
About the Author:
Originally from Palo Alto, California, Leah Perl is a graduate of Beth Jacob of Denver, and now lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with her husband and children. Leah Perl teaches Jewish history and Chumash at a Jewish high school, as well as classes for adults on Women and Judaism. Leah Perl is an Agency for Jewish Learning Fellow and is pursuing a Masters of Science in Education. Writing is her creative outlet. Her first book for Hachai, A Thread of Kindness, was a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award, a Storytelling World Awards ‘Honor Book’, and an Association of Jewish Libraries ‘Notable Book’. In addition to her work with Hachai, Leah Perl has also written for Bread and Fire, an anthology on Jewish womanhood (to be published by Rivkah Slonim), as well as pieces for Babybug and Cricket Magazines.
Illustrator Information
About the Artist:
Shoshana Mekibel studied art in her native Kiev, Ukraine, where both her father and brother were accomplished artists. Now living in Brooklyn, Shoshana is a full time mother to her wonderful family. She painstakingly worked on A Thread of Kindness in her spare time.
Reviews
“A beautiful and sensitively written book in which the words and the illustrations both convey the message of tzedakah.” Jewish Book World
“A nice retelling of a familiar tale of kindness and community . . .A solid addition to Jewish folklore collection.” School Library Journal
“Mekibels’ soft, watercolor illustrations exude an Old World feel suited to the setting and tone of the text.” Booklist
