Howard Cooper (1)

An interesting introduction to some of the rituals of Judaism in the form of a 12-year old girl's diary, with added notes, written to her non-Jewish best friend. We learn about how throughout the year various events in Jewish history are celebrated and honored, and sometimes in fun ways--you can even dress up as a Star Wars character in one instance. There are a couple of very low key but intensely effective references to the Holocaust. The 12 year-old's 90 year-old grandfather is a Holocaust survivor. So far, so good. What I find a bit grating, however, is just how ideal everything here is. Perhaps this isn't the place for a more realistic look at not just how religion brings people together, such as religious and non-religious Jews, but how even within Judaism, and of course between Judaism and other religions, there are lots of rifts as well. And not everyone is as open minded and grounded as the 12 year-old and her family. The best friend she is writing to, for instance, is Muslim. The 12-year old lives in England, but has cousins in America and Israel. Her Israeli cousins believe in Palestinian rights and even attend a school where Arabic is taught. When describing events in the bible, the 12 year-old says how they aren't really factually true but are mean to serve as a lesson. And so on. So while this book remains a good introduction to Judaism, it won't begin to explain to a reader why we have such hatred in the world, much of it promoted by religion. Let's hope we can wake up in the world of this book, where everyone respects and tries to understand each other's beliefs, as soon as possible!… (altro)