Engineer Ari and the Rosh Hashanah Ride - Hardcover

Cohen, Deborah Bodin

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0822586487 ISBN 13: 9780822586487

Publisher: Kar-Ben Pub, 2008

Synopsis

A sweet and creative Rosh Hashanah story, based on the first historic train ride from Jaffa to Jerusalem in 1892, follows engineer Ari as he collects goodies on his journey to celebrate the Jewish New Year. Simultaneous.

About this title

About the Author

Deborah Bodin Cohen is the Associate Rabbi and Director of Lifelong Education at Temple Emanuel in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. She is also the author of The Seventh Day (Kar-Ben). She was ordained at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. She lives in Cherry Hill with her husband and young daughter.

Shahar Kober is a graduate of the Shenkar College of Design in Israel. His artwork combines traditional techniques and digital coloring. He has done illustration for Israeli newspapers and magazines, as well as for an Israeli children's television series. He lives with his cat in Hod-Hasharon, Israel.

Reviews

PreSchool-Grade 2—In 1892, Ari is selected to engineer the first train between Jaffa and Jerusalem. Filled with pride, he boasts to his friends and neglects to say goodbye to them before he sets off. As the train stops to collect the necessary items to celebrate the Jewish New Year—apples, honey, round challah, and shofars—he is reminded of the true meaning of the holiday. He promises to do teshuvah—"to do better"—when he returns to Jaffa by apologizing for his insensitive behavior. Cheerful illustrations depict the sights and scenes of Israel with nostalgia and charm as mustachioed Ari and his red train pass through the land. An author's note provides additional information about the history of the first steam train in Israel, along with an archival photo. Libraries looking to expand their Jewish holiday bookshelf will want to add this delightful title, which will also appeal to train-loving children.—Rachel Kamin, Des Plaines Public Library, IL
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There are a number of books about the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, but very few are set in Israel. This story is based on the trip of the first train from Jerusalem to Jaffa in 1897, shortening the time between the coast and the city from three days to three hours. Cohen turns this journey into a fanciful account of Engineer Ari, who is proud to have been chosen to drive the train; but his bragging annoys his coworkers. Ari heads past orange groves and palm trees, through wheat fields and around olive trees. Everywhere, he is greeted by happy citizenry who offer nature’s bounty to him so he can bring it to the holy city. Despite his joy, Ari misses his friends, and by the time he arrives in Jerusalem, he realizes how he’s hurt them. Since Rosh Hashanah is the time for apologies, Ari eagerly returns to make peace. The text is short, and the art is simple, but it gives a sense of agrarian life in those days of settlement. An author’s note adds details. --Ilene Cooper

Edition details

• Publisher: Kar-Ben Pub
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0822586487
• ISBN 13: 9780822586487
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Kober Shahar
• Number of pages: 32