The Secret Shofar of Barcelona (High Holidays) - Hardcover

Greene, Jacqueline Dembar

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0822599155 ISBN 13: 9780822599159

Publisher: Kar-Ben Pub, 2009

Synopsis

In the late 1500s, while Don Fernando, the conductor of the Royal Orchestra of Barcelona prepares for a concert to celebrate Spain's colonies in the New World, his son Rafael secretly practices playing the Shofar to help Jews, who must hide their faith from the Inquisition, to celebrate Rosh Hashanah. Includes historical facts and glossary.

About this title

Reviews

Grade 2–5—Don Fernando is a converso, a Jew who practices his religion secretly during the time of the Inquisition. He is also a respected composer, and he writes a symphony to celebrate Spain's colonies in the New World using Native American instruments. His son convinces him to include a shofar among the deer-toe rattles and leather drums so that the conversos can hear the traditional sound of the ram's horn on the Jewish New Year, which coincides with the concert. The dangerous plan proves successful: the Duke loves the symphony, and Spain's secret Jews retain an ancient tradition. Based on a legend, this intriguing slice of converso life offers a thoughtful hero and a suspenseful plot. The warm, opaque paintings are expressive and create a strong sense of place. Although the religious significance of the shofar is never explained, the story conveys its emotional pull for Jewish listeners. Themes of cultural identity and empowerment under oppression will appeal to readers of all backgrounds.—Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL END

In 1492, Spanish Jews were forced to convert to Catholicism or leave the country. This picture book retells a Barcelona legend of those who stayed but maintained their religion in secret: conversos. One such man, the composer Don Fernando, has written a new concert that he plans to perform for the Duke on the first night of Rosh Hashanah:“When we and our Jewish friends gather for a festive meal, it will appear we are only celebrating the concert.” Together with his son, Rafael, Don Fernando takes things one wildly dangerous step further by incorporating the call of the shofar into the piece. In a happily subversive ending, the Duke is so unwittingly enchanted by the boy playing the ram’s horn that he suggests an encore performance for the same time next year. Greene’s stately narrative softly raises the tension for the climactic concert and satisfying payoff, while Chayka’s dusky artwork transports viewers back among the conversos, imbuing scenes with a quiet sense dignity and determination. A handsome offering that’s equally educational and inspiring. Grades 1-3. --Ian Chipman

Edition details

• Publisher: Kar-Ben Pub
• Publication date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0822599155
• ISBN 13: 9780822599159
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Chayka Douglas
• Number of pages: 32