Minnie's Yom Kippur Birthday

By Marilyn Singer

Book Overview

When Minnie's birthday falls on Yom Kippur one year, she wonders just what kind of birthday celebration she will have. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060258462
• ISBN13: 9780060258467
• Release Date: April 1989
• Publisher: Harpercollins Childrens Books
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

Repentance for kids

The true meaning of the repentance Yom Kippur can be hard to explain to small children, and this book helps. In prior years, Minnie was too young to go to Yom Kippur services, so when her father tells her that her Yom Kippur birthday will be wonderful in its own way but wonders what that means. She knows the holiday is serious but not what that means. She fights with her sister, who will not return her doll, and her brother who tells her Yom Kippur will require that she sit still and think about the things she's done wrong during the year. She calls him a liar and runs to her Mom, who reassures her that the kind of birthday she will have is a surprise. On the day itself, she runs for breakfast, but gets no presents. Mom and Dad are fasting, and go to Temple with Arnold. She waits for a long time, bored.When they come back, they take her to Temple in the afternoon. Here she sees the Stars of David, the sparkling eternal light over the ark holding Torah scrolls, and the rabbi and cantor (who is a woman). The rabbi tells the story of Jonah, which is one of two Torah portions for Yom Kippur. Minnie doesn't like the story--until the rabbi explains, "Most people don't do bad things like Jonah did to God, but little things to other people." When you remember those little things that hurt others, he says, you must apologize as soon as possible. Minnie remembers her fights with her sister and brother, whispers apologies to them--and feels better. As services end, Minnie thrills at the sound of the shofar, the long blast. Then, the rabbi recites a Kiddush. The congregants come out with a big birthday cake, that says "Happy Birthday Minnie." Minnie hugs her dad.The important message--to treat others well and always to make amends--comes through loud and clear. Alyssa A. Lappen