Sandy Eisenberg Sasso

A child plants a mustard seed in an empty garden. It is an itty-bitty seed. It isnt anything very specialyet.Discover the surprising potential of one small seed in The Marvelous Mustard Seed. Based on Jesus parable of the Mustard Seed, this inspiring childrens book shows young readers that one tiny seedjust like one small childcarries a world of potential. The Marvelous Mustard Seed features ethnically diverse characters, and it is ideal for children ages 4-8. A special note for parents and teachers is included.

Who Counts? is now available in Spanish This popular children's book offers a creative retelling of three popular parables: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son. As young readers count to help the characters find what's missing, Who Counts? teaches that every one of us counts in God's eyes and that everyone should feel counted.The stories are beautifully illustrated with modern-day characters and a diversity of ethnicities so that all children will be able to see themselves in the stories. Ideal for children ages 4-8. Includes a note for parents and teachers.

Jewish Stories of Love and Marriage offers a treasury of tales that speak to the tenderness and passion, difficulties and blessings of love. Jewish tradition overflows with love stories from the Bible, Talmud, and Midrash. Folktales continue the tradition, and contemporary writers highlight the way their faith and love interweave and enrich each other. From Adam and Eve to Song of Songs, from legends of Solomon to the letters of Alfred and Lucie Dreyfus, these are stories of heartbreak, devotion, and celebration. They tell of how people fall in love and how they grow in love. The narratives are as old as the Bible and as new as the twenty-first century. They come from places as far-ranging as Yemen and New York. The relationships are heterosexual and homosexual, arranged and spontaneous, young and mature. Though the stories reflect the times and places in which they were told, they have a universal message about longing and romance, relationship, respect, and commitment. Noted storyteller Peninnah Schram and Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso collect these narratives and letters for the first time, inviting readers to delve into these stories for entertainment and inspiration, at engagements, weddings, and anniversaries, to recall what once brought people close and what continues to hold them in love.

“One sheep makes a difference. Without her something is missing. Now my flock is complete.”Oh, no! The man is missing his sheep! The woman is missing her coin! The father is missing his son! Can you help them find what they are looking for?Who Counts? is a creative retelling of three popular parables: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son. As young readers count to help the characters find what’s missing, Who Counts? teaches that every one of us counts in God’s eyes and that everyone should feel counted. The stories are beautifully illustrated with modern-day characters and a diversity of ethnicities so that all children will be able to see themselves in the stories.

In a world of constant interruption that values speed over reflection, Sandy Eisenberg Sasso offers an interactive way to find the quiet we need to get in touch with our deepest selves. Designed to give you peace, inspiration, and a much-needed pause amid the business of daily life, Coloring the Silence contains twenty-five illustrations for coloring along with twenty-five reflections and prayers for meditation.

Jewish Stories of Love and Marriage offers a treasury of tales that speak to the tenderness and passion, difficulties and blessings of love. Jewish tradition overflows with love stories from the Bible, Talmud, and Midrash. Folktales continue the tradition, and contemporary writers highlight the way their faith and love interweave and enrich each other. From Adam and Eve to Song of Songs, from legends of Solomon to the letters of Alfred and Lucie Dreyfus, these are stories of heartbreak, devotion, and celebration. They tell of how people fall in love and how they grow in love. The narratives are as old as the Bible and as new as the twenty-first century. They come from places as far-ranging as Yemen and New York. The relationships are heterosexual and homosexual, arranged and spontaneous, young and mature. Though the stories reflect the times and places in which they were told, they have a universal message about longing and romance, relationship, respect, and commitment. Noted storyteller Peninnah Schram and Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso collect these narratives and letters for the first time, inviting readers to delve into these stories for entertainment and inspiration, at engagements, weddings, and anniversaries, to recall what once brought people close and what continues to hold them in love.

The ancient rabbis believed that the Torah was divinely revealed and therefore contained eternal truths and multitudinous hidden meanings. Not a single word was considered haphazard or inconsequential. This understanding of how Scripture mystically relates to all of life is the fertile ground from which the Midrash emerged. Here Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso explores how Midrash originated and how it is still practiced today, and offers new translations and interpretations of twenty essential, classic midrashic texts. You will never read the Bible the same way again!

The townspeople have mezuzahs but cannot agree on how to put them up on their doorways. Should they place them horizontally or vertically, standing up or lying down? To end their arguing, they consult the wise rabbi of the town, who advises them to carefully read the Shema in the mezuzah to find the answer. This lively tale, based on a twelfth-century rabbinic debate, introduces children ages 3 to 6 to the words of the Shema, the Jewish people's affirmation of faith, and the custom of putting up the mezuzah. A spirited disagreement over how to affix the mezuzah results in compromise and harmony when the townspeople learn to truly listen to one another. Best-selling, award-winning children's author Sandy Eisenberg Sasso helps young people discover that there is often more than one solution to a problem, and that living together and creating "home" requires cooperation and listening to one another.

For preschoolers—a first lesson in finding your place in God's creation. This simple, beautiful book helps parents and children explore spirituality together by inviting children of all faiths and backgrounds to encounter God through everyday experience and the imagination. Adapted from Sandy Eisenberg Sasso’s award-winning God’s Paintbrush, playful text and lively illustrations guide very young children in finding faith through colors, song and dance. Preschoolers will delight in turning the sturdy pages and beginning the journey of finding joy and meaning in their world.

For preschoolers—a first lesson in finding your place in God's creation. This simple, beautiful book helps parents and children explore spirituality together by inviting children of all faiths and backgrounds to encounter God through everyday experience and the imagination. Adapted from Sandy Eisenberg Sasso’s award-winning God’s Paintbrush, playful text and lively illustrations guide very young children in finding faith through colors, song and dance. Preschoolers will delight in turning the sturdy pages and beginning the journey of finding joy and meaning in their world.

PMA Best Religion Book of the Year The inspiring guide to spiritual celebration used in hundreds of congregations Reform, Conservative, Reconstructionist revised and expanded "Parents and their children acutely feel the social pressures that surround bar and bat mitzvah. But they want to feel the spiritual promise of the event, the pull of the divine, and the knowledge that they are participating in an event that has meaning both in the ancient past and in the very immediate present. They want to know that the steep incline before them is their family's own version of Sinai, the summit where, in every generation, Jews meet God, individually and as a people. They want to know that bar and bat mitzvah can be a path to that summit. And they want to know how to get there. . . . This book can be their guide." from "Why This Book Was Born"Helps people find core spiritual values in American Jewry's most misunderstood ceremony bar and bat mitzvah. In a joining of explanation, instruction and inspiration, Rabbi Salkin helps both parent and child truly be there when the moment of Sinai is recreated in their lives.Rabbi Salkin asks and answers questions that make parents and children more comfortable with the event and able to experience it more joyfully. How did bar and bat mitzvah originate? What is the lasting significance of the event? What are the ethics of celebration? What specific things can you do to reclaim the spiritual meaning of the event? How to further develop spirituality? What spiritual values can parents and young people build together?To help guide friends and family who are not Jewish through this important Jewish life cycle event, Rabbi Salkin provides a brief, welcoming overview: "What Non-Jews Should Know About the Bar and Bat Mitzvah Service.""

Multicultural, Nonsectarian, Nondenominational—Endorsed by Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish Religious LeadersFinalist, Children's Books of Distinction Award—Hungry Mind ReviewA Children’s Book Council Not Just for Children Anymore! SelectionRecommended by Parent CouncilEveryone and everything in the world has a name. What is God’s name?In poetic text and vibrant illustrations, this modern fable celebrates the diversity and, at the same time, the unity of all people."God must have a single name this greater and more powerful than all other names." All the people of the world set out to find God’s name … and each of the many seekers is sure that he or she alone has found the right name, the only name, for God. Finally, they come together—and at last learn what God’s name really is.In God’s Name is a spiritual celebration of all people of the world and their belief in one God.

Sandy Sasso's award-winning classic for children of all faiths, all backgrounds--available for the first time in Spanish! Everyone and everything in the world has a name. What is God's name? This modern fable about the search for God's name celebrates the diversity and, at the same time, the unity of all people of the world. Each seeker claims he or she alone knows the answer. Finally, they come together and learn what God's name really is, sharing the ultimate harmony of belief in one God by people of all faiths, all backgrounds.

Multicultural, Nondenominational, Nonsectarian Endorsed by Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish Religious LeadersA spiritual conversation-starter for adults and children to read together."A very long time ago, when the world was new...two children walked in God's garden called Earth. One was named Cain, the other, Abel. They were the first children. The first brothers."We know the story well. But what can it mean for us--and for our children--today? Award-winning author Sandy Eisenberg Sasso recasts the biblical tale of Cain and Abel in a way that invites adults and kids to a conversation about anger and our power to deal with it in positive ways.Cain and Abel were born into God's garden called Earth, a world of bright days for working in their fields and peaceful nights to share the stories of their dreams. The first children, the first brothers, they were so much alike yet so different--Cain a shepherd, Abel a farmer.They lived side by side, surrounded by trees where wonderful, exotic fruits of many kinds grew: everywhere orapples, rasdew, and banangerines ripened all on a single branch. The air was sweet with the smell of pinango, limeberry, and waterloupe.But jealousy, anger, and fear took all this away. Cain and Abel's happiness came to an end, and with it, the trees' ability to grow these special fruits. In a world often hurt by violence, this retold biblical story gives children and adults a starting point for discussing anger and its effects on those around us. By harnessing the power we have to deal with our emotions in positive ways, we can once again cultivate the fruits of peace--and change the world for the better.

An indispensable "how-to" guide for creating lasting memories and special ceremonies as you welcome your new Jewish daughter. When a son is born, every Jewish parent knows what ceremony will welcome him into the community and signal his part in the Jewish people--the brit milah. What to do when a girl is born? How can you welcome your new daughter in a truly Jewish way, and celebrate your joy with family and friends? In the past, parents who wanted a simchat bat (celebration of a daughter) ceremony for their new daughter often had to start from scratch. Finally, this first-of-its-kind book gives families everything they need to plan the celebration.History & Tradition--The roots of simchat bat in Jewish tradition, how it has evolved and how the past can be used to bring today's dynamic ceremonies to life.A How-to Guide--New and traditional ceremonies, complete with prayers, rituals, handouts to copy and step-by-step instructions for creating your own unique ceremony.Planning the Details--What to call your daughter's welcoming ceremony, when and where to have it, setting it up, how long it should be, how to handle the unexpected, how to prepare a program guide and more.Ideas & Information--Practical guidelines for planning the event, and special suggestions and resources for families of all constellations.

Multicultural, Nondenominational, Nonsectarian Endorsed by Protestant, Catholic and Jewish Religious Leaders A Spiritual Activity Kit for Teachers and Students of All Faiths, All Backgrounds For the first time, Protestant, Catholic and Jewish children can study, play and learn from the same religious education resource. The God's Paintbrush Celebration Kit--inspired by the award-winning book God's Paintbrush--will help you spark the imagination of your students to think creatively about themselves and the world. Completely nonsectarian, the God's Paintbrush Celebration Kit can be used in a variety of settings and environments, such as vacation Bible school, Sabbath morning children's service, Sunday school, or a day-long or weekend retreat. Each activity sheet includes the use of crafts, games and other indoor and outdoor activities designed to encourage your students to think about God in new and exciting ways. The Teacher Folder contains instructions and additional suggestions to make every session an extra-special spiritual learning experience. Session Topics What is God Like? Seeing Hearing and Speaking Touching Doing Biblical Texts Explored Psalm 100:1-2; Psalm 150 Genesis 1:31; Psalm 34:8 Psalm 29:3-4; 1 Kings 19:12 Isaiah 66:13 Deuteronomy 6:4-9