AUDIOBOOK
About
It's a sunny fall day in Maya's neighborhood, and all her neighbors are busy with outdoor activities, from releasing some young butterflies to organizing a birthday scavenger hunt. But Maya learns that today is Shemini Atzeret, when the Jewish community prays for rain. Rain will ruin her neighbors' day! Maya rushes to warn them. Luckily, as her rabbi explains to her, it turns out that she doesn't need to worry.
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Reviews
"Shemini Atzeret may be the least likely holiday to be showcased in a picture book, but it's about time for kids to learn a bit about this Jewish holiday that seems to be part of Sukkot, but actually falls after Sukkot is over."
Jewish Journal
"[W]hen Maya learns that the evening's synagogue service for the Jewish holiday of Shemini Atzeret includes a prayer for rain, she warns her neighbors to cancel their plans. Much to Maya's relief, however, she learns from her rabbi that the prayer is for Israel, where the rainy season is needed for crops and trees. 'Amen,' she pronounces at the end of the prayer."
JTA (Global News Service of the Jewish People)