Rabbi Jamie S. Korngold received ordination from the Hebrew Union
College-Jewish Institute of Religion and is the founder and
spiritual leader of the Adventure Rabbi Program. She lives in
Boulder, Colorado with her two daughters, Sadie and Ori.
Jeff Finkelstein's images have appeared in hundreds of publications
including National Geographic, USA Today and The Jerusalem Post. He
lives in Boulder, Colorado with his wife and two daughters.
Expressive, beautiful color photography forms the visual
storytelling accompaniment to this modern-day communal Seder in the
desert in Moav, Utah.
'Why is this seder different from all others?' Beginning with a
slightly altered question from the traditional 'Why is this night
different...' readers are taken through a re-enactment of the
Israelites' desert journey as participants in the Adventure Rabbi
Program celebrate Passover. The program seeks to '[combine] the
ancient traditions of the Jewish Seder with the inspiration of the
Red Rock Desert.' Author and rabbi Korngold, spiritual leader of
the program, simply and effectively demonstrates how the
traditional concepts of the holiday are maintained through this
unusual event, which emphasizes experiential learning. With
stunning natural scenery as a backdrop, families hike, carry Seder
necessities including a torah and Haggadot for children, and set a
table on the sandy ground complete with the special ceremonial
foods. There, they read, learn and debate the story of the Exodus,
eat together, sing and dance. Before nightfall, they reverse their
trip, closing with a campfire gathering. The focus of this
distinctive approach is on examining how and why the Seder is
celebrated rather than on retelling the familiar story.
Lovely, different and yet familiar. (author's note) (Picture
book/religion. 5-8) -- Kirkus Reviews-- "Journal"
An adventure in the beautiful desert of Moab, Utah, simulating the
experience of the Israelites in the desert as they leave Egypt, is
the setting for this unusual and meaningful Passover story. The
text begins with a question: Why is this seder different from all
other seders? The answer: 'Because this year we are celebrating
Passover in the desert.' The Adventure Rabbi, Jamie Korngold, who
has written four other children's books for Kar-Ben (Sadie's Sukkah
Breakfast, Sadie and the Big Mountain, Sadie's Almost Marvelous
Menorah, and Sadie's Lag Ba'omer Mystery), escorts families on a
hike into the glorious desert. Men, women, and children band
together to climb steep rocks and sandstone; they hike the arid
desert till they arrive at the Colorado River to set up and
celebrate their seder. All the necessary supplies are brought in
the hikers' backpacks: Water, seder plate, haggadot, and of course,
food. One hiker carries a Torah. Many of the traditions of the
seder are integrated into their hike. The seder is spread out on a
tablecloth on the ground, enhanced by the seder plate with its
unique foods and matzoh. At 'Dayenu', there is dancing and music of
tambourines, celebrating and appreciating all the miracles Jews
have to be thankful for on Passover. The joy of the experience is
palpable. This photo essay is the record of a real event.
Magnificent photographs were taken by Jeff Finkelstein, a
professional photographer who is married to the Adventure Rabbi.
The natural beauty of the environment and rock formations enhance a
child's appreciation of the blessings of nature and of God. This is
a wonderful read-aloud and shared resource to illustrate a unique
Passover observance. It should be noted that Halachic Orthodox
guidelines are not followed. -- AJL Reviews-- "Magazine"
In this photo-essay style picture book, a young child narrates her
experience celebrat-ing Passover in the desert of Moab, Utah with
the 'Adventure Rabbi' Jamie Korngold. At this non-traditional
Seder, participants hike through the desert, just like the
Israelites. The Seder meal is served desert style, on long
stretches of fabric set on the ground along the Colorado River.
Families in hiking clothes sit together with their water bottles
alongside their Kiddush cups. Children are pictured with the
traditional symbols of the Seder plate accompanied by typical
explanations as well as some additional tidbits. For example, the
reader will learn that parsley is not only a reminder of spring but
as 'one of the hardiest herbs of the garden, it also recalls how
strong the Jewish people had to be to survive in the desert.' The
significance of Miriam's Cup is also included. A Torah is unrolled
from a backpack and the story of Exodus is read aloud under the
Corona Arch. Everyone dances, like Miriam, with tambourines as they
sing 'Dayenu.' At the conclusion of the Seder, the group hikes back
down the mountain to perform Havdalah. They then build a campfire
and 'sing songs beneath a full moon and hope to celebrate Passover
in the desert again.' The large, full-color photographs beautifully
depict the exquisite desert scenery as well as the warmth and
spirit of this unique community and are a perfect complement to the
descrip-tive, yet concise, text. Seder in the Desert joins other
picture books such as New Year at the Pier: A Rosh Hashanah Story
by April Halprin Wayland (Dial, 2009), Menorah Under the Sea by
Esther Susan Heller (Kar-Ben, 2009), and A Song for My Sister by
Lesley Simpson (Random House, 2012) in introducing readers to
contemporary, progressive communities celebrating Jewish holidays
and rituals in new and creative ways. Additional photos, as well as
registration information, for this annual event can be found at
www.AdventureRabbi.org, but even those less adventurous will be
inspired to look at the holiday in a new way. Recommended for ages
3-8. -- starred review, Jewish Book Council-- "Website"
This is essentially an extended travel brochure for the Adventure
Rabbi Program, founded by author Korngold, which sponsors seders in
the Utah desert. It's told in the voice of a young participant, who
works quite hard (one senses the grownup mind at work) to connect
her fellow REI-equipped sojourners to their ancient ancestors: 'The
sun is hot and I get thirsty.... Now I understand how important
water was for the Israelites.' But armchair travelers should enjoy
taking in the photos of the magnificent red rock formations (one of
the famous arches plays a recurring role in the story) and seeing
how modern-day Jews come together for a day of hiking, dancing,
prayer, and - of course - eating. Ages 3-8. (Feb.) -- Publisher's
Weekly-- "Journal"
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