A new picture book Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson, with illustrations by E.B. Lewis, caught my eye on the new book display at my public library. I checked it out and I read it with my 7-year-old son. When a new girl comes to the class she is ostracized by the other girls because of her second-hand clothes and shoes and the strange food she brings in her lunch. Chloe goes along with her friends and won't even smile at or speak to Maya even though she sits in the desk right next to her. The teacher then shows the class a large bowl filled with water. She drops a small stone in the water and explains: "This is what kindness does . . . each little thing we do goes out, like a ripple, into the world." She has each student share something kind they have done while dropping a stone in the water. Chloe can't think of anything and passes the stone to the next person. Later Chloe walks home and stops at the pond. She throws small stones in the water as she thinks of all of the things she wishes she had said or done to show kindness towards Maya. But, Maya has left the school and she never gets the chance. The watercolor illustrations are beautiful and expressive and the overall message of the book is poignant and powerful.
Obviously, this is not a Jewish book but the teacher's message, "Each kindness makes the whole world a little bit better," corresponds closely with Jewish values. The word mitzvot could easily replace the word kindness in the text. I'm planning to buy a copy for the synagogue's library and I strongly recommend it for school, synagogue, and community libraries. Happy Passover! Rachel Kamin, Director The Joseph and Mae Gray Cultural & Learning Center North Suburban Synagogue Beth El 1175 Sheridan Road Highland Park, IL 60035 847/432-8903 x242 or <blocked::mailto:[email protected]> [email protected] Office Hours: Monday 12:30-6:30pm, Tuesday-Friday 9:00am-1:30pm, Sunday 8:30-11:30am (when school is in session)
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