Sandy Eisenberg Sasso

In the beginning, God's garden is beautiful and peaceful, but it doesn't stay that way. Everyone has something to say! Rain brags that it's the most refreshing. Birds boast that they’re the most splendid. Earthworms bluster about their busyness. Then Children come along, claiming to be the best of all. And it’s only fair that the best is loved most, isn’t it?A Very Big Problem is a Junior Library Guild Selection.

From the award-winning team of Rabbi Sandy Sasso and Bene Israel artist Siona Benjamin, this eighteenth-century folktale from the Bene Israel community of Jews in India tells how a young man’s kindness to a royal elephant saves his life after he is accused of stealing from the powerful Maharaja. Solly's family makes the best sesame oil in Bombay, India. When he is invited to visit the royal palace one day, he is fascinated by the baby elephant in a parade. He befriends the elephant and sings him his favorite song, the Shema prayer. When Solly grows up, he comes to work as a guard at the palace, until one day he is accused of theft. Despite his innocence, Solly is found guilty and sentenced to be trampled by the wild elephants. But this elephant seems familiar to Solly, and after singing the Sh'ma prayer, he reconnects with an old animal friend. This folktale shows how kindness can be repaid where you least expect it.

This interpretation of the familiar biblical story of the Exodus shifts the focus to Moses’ older sister Miriam, whose bravery and celebratory dance provided hope for her people during a dark and dangerous journey, and shows how emotional needs can be as important as physical ones. The Israelites are fleeing slavery in Egypt. There is no time to pack, but Miriam brings her timbrel and her dancing shoes. Her brother Moses is frustrated, “We’re running for our lives, not planning a party!” But when they need to cross the Red Sea, it is Miriam who keeps their spirits up, leading her people in a dance towards freedom.

In My Own Voice tells the trailblazing story of Barbara Ostfeld, the first woman ordained as a cantor. As a schoolgirl, Barbara loved singing loudly and with spirit, but she was mocked for her singing by her classmates. This didn't happen when she sang in her synagogue's children's choir, and Barbara reveled in her freedom to sing choir solos at Temple services. When it was time for her to apply to colleges, Barbara asked her cantor what seminary he had attended, explaining that she wanted to become a synagogue cantor. He laughed at her, telling her not to apply, and saying that the seminary would not accept her because she was a girl. And even when the seminary's registrar told her that no girl ever had even applied for admission, Barbara applied anyway, and was admitted. But when she entered her first chorus class at college, the teacher said, "There are no women's parts, so just mouth the words." Yet Barbara persisted in finding her own voice at the seminary, and in 1975, became the first woman ordained as a cantor in 3,000 years of Jewish history; today, female cantors sing in hundreds of synagogues around the world.

In My Own Voice tells the trailblazing story of Barbara Ostfeld, the first woman ordained as a cantor. As a schoolgirl, Barbara loved singing loudly and with spirit, but she was mocked for her singing by her classmates. This didn't happen when she sang in her synagogue's children's choir, and Barbara reveled in her freedom to sing choir solos at Temple services. When it was time for her to apply to colleges, Barbara asked her cantor what seminary he had attended, explaining that she wanted to become a synagogue cantor. He laughed at her, telling her not to apply, and saying that the seminary would not accept her because she was a girl. And even when the seminary's registrar told her that no girl ever had even applied for admission, Barbara applied anyway, and was admitted. But when she entered her first chorus class at college, the teacher said, "There are no women's parts, so just mouth the words." Yet Barbara persisted in finding her own voice at the seminary, and in 1975, became the first woman ordained as a cantor in 3,000 years of Jewish history; today, female cantors sing in hundreds of synagogues around the world.

What helps us get through hard times? What is the sound of hope? Follow Miriam as she leads the people through the Sea of Reeds. Moses carries a staff. But Miriam carries dancing shoes. Dancing shoes to cross a sea? Find out Miriam's secret and how she guides the people of Israel to freedom.

Vil fikentreet bli stort til slutt? En vakker bok med levende og fargerike illustrasjoner, der små og store lesere inviteres til undring og refleksjon. Fortellingen er basert på lignelsen om fikentreet, som bruker langt tid på å vokse. Gartneren blir utålmodig, og mister troen på at treet kan duge til noe. Men barna gir ikke opp. De vanner, følger med og viser treet tålmodighet og kjærlighet.

Sally Priesand, the first American woman to be ordained a rabbi, opened doors for Jewish women's full participation in Jewish life in this third book by Sandy Sasso about courageous women from Jewish history."We are fortunate to have this new resource about a trailblazing Jewish feminist who would not take no for an answer." --Emily Schneider, The Jewish Book Council

Her får barna høre tre av Jesu lignelser: den om sauen som ble borte, om mynten som forsvant og om faren og de to sønnene hans. Lignelsene minner oss om at hver og en av oss har betydning og er regnet med, både av andre mennesker og av Gud.

A tiny fig tree needs time to grow. But how much time? All four seasons go by . . . and there are no figs. The seasons pass again. Still no figs! Is the fig tree good for nothing?Inspired by the parable of the Barren Fig Tree, The Good for Nothing Tree reminds us that the sweetest figs, like many other things, are worth waiting for. Not every tree—and not every child—grows at the same pace. Yet patience, care, and love can change everything, making what may appear "good for nothing" very good.A note about the parable's New Testament origins and a recipe are included.

One sheep is missing! Where can it be?This board-book version of the Parable of the Lost Sheep is adapted from the picture book Who Counts? 100 Sheep, 10 Coins, and 2 Sons, first in the popular series of parables retold by Amy-Jill Levine and Sandy Eisenberg Sasso. With accessible language and sturdy pages just right for little hands, 100 Sheep: A Counting Parable builds early counting skills while showing that God's love finds us wherever we go.

A Guide for Jewish and Christian Educators and Parents Children speak about God in ways that are different from adults. They ask many questions about God, questions that can be startlingly direct. Oftentimes adults—parents, grandparents and teachers—feel uncomfortable answering them. Through fantasy, involvement and imagination, Sandy Sasso and Annette Compton invite children of all faiths and backgrounds to encounter God openly through moments in their own lives—and help the adults who love them to be a part of that encounter. This book provides a gift of images that nurtures and encourages children in making meaning of their world. With over 100,000 copies in print, God's Paintbrush remains one of the most popular spiritual books for children of all faiths, all backgrounds. This special anniversary edition includes new ideas for interaction between adults and children, and an important new message from the author.

Una ni a siembra un grano de mostaza en un jard n que est vac o. Es un granito chiquito. Y todav a no es nada muy especial... todav a no. El maravilloso grano de mostaza est ahora disponible en espa ol Este libro para la ni ez, inspirado en la par bola de Jes s del grano de mostaza, muestra a los ni os y ni as que una semillita, como una ni a peque a, tiene un potencial incre ble. El maravilloso grano de mostaza presenta a personajes tnicamente diversos e incluye una nota especial para padres, madres y el personal docente."A child plants a mustard seed in an empty garden. It is an itty-bitty seed. It isn't anything very special-yet."The Marvelous Mustard Seed is now available in Spanish Based on Jesus' parable of the Mustard Seed, this inspiring children's book shows young readers that one tiny seed-just like one small child-carries a world of potential. The Marvelous Mustard Seed features ethnically diverse characters and includes a special note for parents and teachers.Amy-Jill Levine, the author of numerous acclaimed books, is University Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies, Mary Jane Werthan Professor of Jewish Studies, and Professor of New Testament Studies at Vanderbilt Divinity School and College of Arts and Science. Who Counts? and The Marvelous Mustard Seed, the first two titles in her parables series cowritten with Sandy Eisenberg Sasso, were named Junior Library Guild Selections.Sandy Eisenberg Sasso is the Director of Religion, Spirituality and the Arts Initiative at Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI) Arts and Humanities Institute, as well as Rabbi Emerita of Congregation Beth-El Zedeck. Her many children's books include Who Is My Neighbor?, The Marvelous Mustard Seed, and Who Counts?, all cowritten with Amy-Jill Levine, and the classic God's Paintbrush.Margaux Meganck is a freelance artist and children's book illustrator in Portland, Oregon. She is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and the illustrator of the popular children's book Who Counts? 100 Sheep, 10 Coins, and 2 Sons.

The tradition of bat mitzvah in the synagogue had just begun.“Judy is a force for change. Lovely.” – Kirkus ReviewsIn the 1920's the world was changing for women. Maybe it was time for things to change in the synagogue as well. But when Judy's father, Rabbi Mordechai Kaplan, said it was time for her to lead services, she nearly dropped the noodle kugel. It was unthinkable--or was it?

Denne herlige bildeboken har Jesu lignelse om sennepsfrøet som utgangspunkt, og fokuserer på barnets undring over frøet som spirer og vokser.

Poor and: the word everyone takes for granted. So tiny, so common, so easily overlooked. Yet if it weren't for and, so much would fall apart! Who knew such a little word could make such a big difference? When an array of opinionated shapes just can't find common ground, AND comes to the rescue. AND is the link that helps each pair of shapes overcome their differences, teaming up to create something entirely new. Bouncy rhyming text and colorful paintings come together in a fable that will prompt children to look for the unexpected connections all around them. Singer/songwriter Carrie Newcomer has recorded an original song based on the story, available to readers as a bonus download at www.flyawaybooks.com/resources.

Blues and Yellows just don't mix, and that's how it's always been. No one remembers why. But then comes the day Midnight Blue takes a tumble along the road. His friends Navy and Powder Blue don't even stop to help! It's only when a Yellow comes along that everything changes forever.This creative story is sure to prompt rich conversations, encouraging new ways of seeing our neighbors and ourselves. A note for parents and educators is included.

"Evocative, inspiring, uplifting" --Kirkus Starred ReviewNational Jewish Book Award Finalist, Children's Literature]The story of Regina Jonas the first woman ever ordained as a rabbi and her life in Germany under the Nazis. This true story of the first woman ever ordained as a rabbi — in Germany in 1935 — will inspire children to pursue their dreams and to persist in the face of challenges. Written by Rabbi Sandy Sasso, the first Reconstructionist woman rabbi in the United States, the book also features an Afterword with historical context about the Nazi Germany setting and about the female ordinations in the various Jewish movements.

Words. There are long words and short words, nice words and mean words. There are silly words, scary words, and hard-to-spell words. There are so many words in our world! But where did they all come from?Award-winning childrens book author Sandy Eisenberg Sasso tells a creative tale about the origin of words, and the power of language, in When God Gave Us Words. Inside this innovative childrens book, God gives the power of words to humankind. At first, God and the angels are pleased with how people use words, but over time they start to use words to make curses, lies, and threats. The angels beg God to take back the gift of language, and just as God is about to take it back, new, beautiful words begin to fill the air. When God Gave Us Words features imaginative illustrations by Darcy Day Zoells.When God Gave Us Words is a 2018 Spirituality & Practice Award Winner!