The Christmas Menorahs: How a Town Fought Hate

by Janice Cohn

Book Overview

This beloved and inspiring children's book, now updated and expanded for a new generation, recounts the true story of how an American town took a stand against hate and antisemitism during the holiday... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0807511528
• ISBN13: 9780807511527
• Release Date: January 1995
• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company
• Length: 39 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 8.4" x 10.3"
• Age Range: 7 to 9 years
• Grade Range: Grades 2 to 4

Customer Reviews

A Message...

I remember that night in December 1993. As Christians, we displayed the full paged Menorah from the Billings Gazette in our window. It was a message to the skinhead(s) that hatred and bigotry have NO place in Billings, Montana or anywhere else.

A good true story read aloud by actor Bill Pullman

The Christmas Menorahs is a compelling story. The Jewish Community Library of Los Angeles selected this book to be included in its public radio production "One People, Many Stories." One People, Many Stories is a 6 CD set of over 30 children's Jewish stories read by Hollywood talent. This particular story was read by actor,Bill Pullman who happens to own a ranch in Montana...the location of this true story of tolerance and sensitivity. You can purchase the CD set (6 CD set $$$) to hear Bill Pullman read The Christmas Menorahs

A small city's courage and decency

I don't generally review children's books but, I bought this for my niece and read it. I was touched by this heartwarming tale. This is a true story of the people of Billings, Montana who stood up against hatred when anti semitic skinheads through rocks through the windows of Jewish homes displaying Hanukkah menorahs. The good people of this city got together and displayed menorahs also. Since there were not enough menorahs avilable, many displayed pictures of menorahs.This charming account is told from the point of view of a young boy whose window was smashed. Seeing the events unfurl from his eyes and the eyes of his parents truly humanized the account of events. It is written to read like a fictional story even though, for the most part, the events are true. This book is worth reading by the whole family, Jewish and non Jewish alike. All kids, even good readers, are entitled to be read to occasionally and this book should be read by the family together.

An inspiring book of how young and old can fight bigotry

I first saw the documentary of the true story in Billings, Montana on which this book was based. The story comes to life through simple yet powerful words and vivid drawings. When thousands of non-Jewish citizens, including young children, fight bigotry by putting menorahs in their windows, they inspire us that no issue is too big to face head on. Every child over the age of nine should read this book, no matter what the racial or religious make up of his or her community.

The holiday spirit is alive in this book!

I bought this book last holiday season for everyone in my family (from 3 to 70)! It's a powerful true story of diverse families coming together and working together to put an end to hate crimes during Hanukkah in their small town. Families realize their similarities, even though they are Christian and Jewish. To me, this story is a story of the holiday season - and the spirit of human kindness - at its finest. A wonderful book to read during the holiday season!