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Crafting Jewish
Fun holiday crafts and party ideas for the whole family

by Rivky Koenig
Photography by Jennifer Levy



      Designed for both first-timers and master crafters, Crafting Jewish provides simple and more complex ideas for creating crafts and foods to celebrate Jewish holidays.  With more than 120 projects and full-color photographs illustrating the finished products, this book should delight Jewish Sunday School and Hebrew School teachers, artists, and parents of young children.

The book begins with notes to adults and children, a description of a kosher kitchen, and a crafting products and tools guide.  The back of the book includes pages of templates and resources for finding craft and party supplies, followed by an index.  Chapters are divided by holidays:  Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Succot, Chanukah, Tu B’Shevat, Purim, Pesach, Shavuot, Shabbat, and For Every Day.  Each crafting project provides "What You Will Need" lists and step-by-step instructions on how to make the projects.  The author also offers time estimates so crafters and bakers can plan accordingly.

The crafting projects (such as mini flag, trivot, makot matching game, cute caddies) use some items from around the home, but mostly require small purchases from craft, linen, and department stores.  The recipes, which include beautiful depictions of the finished products, list supplies needed, ingredients, and clear instructions for fun holiday foods such as Purim pops, pomegranate punch, and potato latkes with applesauce.

Although the overwhelming majority of crafts and foods described in the book relate exclusively to Jewish tradition or holiday themes, some of the author’s ideas can be used by anyone at anytime.  Rivky Koenig, a master crafts instructor and the mother of five children, has written a lovely book for establishing new Jewish holiday traditions for young families.

The Book

Mesorah Publications Ltd.
November 2008
Hardcover
978-1-4226-0817-3
How To (Includes Information on All Major Jewish Holidays)
More at Amazon.com
Excerpt
NOTE: My copy had a misaligned binding that resulted in a few pages sliding out when I opened the book for the first time.

The Reviewer

Leslie Halpern
Reviewed 2009
NOTE: Reviewer Leslie Halpern is the author of Reel Romance: The Lovers' Guide to the 100 Best Date Movies, Dreams on Film, A Writer's Guide to Fearless Interviews, and the co-author of Connections: A Collection of Poems. Coming Soon: Passionate About Their Work: Celebrities, Artists, and Experts Discuss Creativity.
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