Overview

Ezra and Roza are helping to prepare for their Passover celebration. Ezra is proud to be in charge of bringing his family's flour to the synagogue to be baked into matzah in a traditional wood-burning oven. But when Ezra makes a mistake and the matzah is ruined, what will he and his sister Roza, do? Join the siblings as they experience the sights, smells, sounds, and unique traditions of a seder in Iran of the 1950s. A free downloadable activity guide that highlights the themes in this book is available on the Kalaniot Books website.

Full Product Details

9781735087566

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Reviews

A Persian Passover shares the distinct sights and traditions of the Iranian Jewish community... --Leah F. Finkelshteyn, Senior Editor Hadassah Magazine, March 2022 A PERSIAN PASSOVER gives today's readers a glimpse into the lives of Persian Jews as they prepared for Passover...The illustrations, with their deep, rich colors and carefully chosen details, suggest a vibrant, Middle Eastern world inhabited by a warm and caring community. Extensive backmatter includes information about the holiday, a rendering of a seder plate filled with traditional foods, a glossary of Hebrew and Persian terms, a capsule history of Persian Jewry, and a recipe for Persian-style charoset, a sweet mixture that is one of the seder plate delicacies. The art, the historical background, and the easily relatable story of good-natured, but lively, children combine to give this picture book a special appeal. --Michal Hoschander Malen, Reviewer Jewish Book Council, April 11, 2022 A Persian Passover will be a perfect source of learning and discussion in classrooms and homes, amongst kids of any background. I highly recommend this lively, diverse addition to the literature for children...and for everyone!--Briget Hodder, Reviewer Sydney Taylor Shmooze / Association of Jewish Libraries, April 6, 2022 A PERSIAN PASSOVER is...a coherent, beautiful and easy-to-read children's book. One of the most striking aspects of A PERSIAN PASSOVER are the deliciously vibrant and colorful illustrations...--Tabby Refael, Reviewer Jewish Journal, April 8, 2022 While racing home with the family's matzoh for Passover, Ezra trips and all of the unleavened bread lands in a puddle. He and his younger sister, Roza, try to purchase more in the market, but with the Jewish holiday starting shortly, all of the vendors are sold out. The children arrive home with their heads hanging low, until their friendly and generous neighbor Mrs. Pirnazar offers to share her matzoh with them. When they find out that she will be spending the holiday alone, they invite her to join their family for the Passover seder. Delightful collage illustrations dominated by red, beige, and turquoise playfully depict a Jewish family in 1950s Iran. Roza helps her mother make the unique Persian charoset salad for the seder (the recipe is appended), and the family enjoys their meal sitting on the floor with all of the ritual food and items beautifully arranged on the sofreh (fabric). Readers will almost smell the parsley, mint, tarragon, and dill wafting through the bustling market. An author's note with additional information about Passover and the Jews of Persia is included, along with a helpful glossary of Hebrew and Persian terms. With so many picture books portraying the Jewish communities of Eastern Europe and North America...celebrates the diversity of Jewish culture and observance around the world, as well as illustrating the Jewish value of welcoming guests.--Rachel Kamin, Reviewer School Library Journal, February 11, 2022

Author Information

Etan Basseri was born and raised in Berkeley, California with a mix of Persian and Ashkenazi Jewish customs. He now lives in Seattle with his wife and children, where he is always responsible for making the Passover charoset. This is his first book.

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