Kirjahaku

"Suspenseful and well told."—Jewish Book Council"Excellent job...good as a read-aloud or for beginning readers." —Historical Novel SocietyBased on real events, this picture book for ages 5-8 dramatizes the story of young Haila, a Yemenite girl, who with her family was airlifted to safety by Alaska Airlines pilot Warren Metzger during Operation Magic Carpet, an international effort that rescued nearly 50,000 Jews from the dangers of Yemen in 1949 and 1950.“You saw what I did to the Egyptians, and how I carried you on eagles' wings to bring you to me.” —Exodus 19:4It's not safe for Haila and her family in Yemen anymore. They've been promised they will be carried to safety on the wings of eagles. But time is running short as they wait for help.On the other side of the world, Warren is a pilot for Alaska Airlines. When he receives a telegram asking to aid the Jews fleeing Yemen, he knows he has to take the risk and do what he can to help.After a long journey to Aden, a port city where they were to go to leave Yemen, Haila and her family are scared to see an airplane for the first time. Where are the eagles that were supposed to fly them to Israel? Warren needs to show everyone that they're safe, and hopefully, his plan will work.

From award-winning author, Tami Lehman-Wilzig, comes a new picture book highlighting the Yemenite pre-wedding ceremony of Henna.Deep in Tel Aviv’s Yemenite Quarter, the small houses on Yom Tov Street buzzedwith activity. The entire neighborhood was preparing for Yael's wedding.But Gali, Yael's youngest cousin, was confused. Why was no one focused on making her flower girl dress? Why were they making head coverings and beads for a Henna ceremony? They didn't live in Yemen anymore. And this was modern Israel! Why would Yael be interested in such a silly, old custom?But as Gali continued to help her grandmother, and as she participated in the ceremony, Gali saw just how beautiful and important it was to keep true to her culture.An author's note at the end further explains the meaning behind the rituals and customs of Henna.

Mayer Aaron Levi lives in a small village. Like his fellow Jews, Mayer Aaron studies Torah and goes to the synagogue three times a day. Unlike everybody else, he also owns a lemon tree. When the lemons are ripe his wife Raizel brews her special lemonade, chills it and puts it in jars so that Mayer Aaron can make extra money for the family by selling it in the town square. Even though Raizel is very possessive about the lemons, Mayer Aaron realizes that they have more than enough. While he finds a way to secretly share the extra lemons with the village's poor people, Raizel thinks a thief is stealing them. The plot thickens as Raizel sits outside guarding the family property, only to find that her husband has a lesson he wants to hand down from generation to generation.