In the beginning, God's garden is beautiful and peaceful, but it doesn't stay that way. Everyone has something to say! Rain brags that it s the most refreshing. Birds boast that they re the most splendid. Earthworms bluster about their busyness. Then Children come along, claiming to be the best of all. And it s only fair that the best is loved most, isn t it?

A Very Big Problem is a Junior Library Guild Selection.

A lively collection of stories that gives voices and names to women from biblical and ancient times whom we seldom remember.

This lively collection of four stories is a modern reclaiming of the Bible, a celebration of courageous and wise women from ancient tradition. These stories invite children of all ages and all faiths to remember, and to bring their own faith to life.

With vivid prose and lush, full-color illustrations, this storybook introduces: Lillith, the first woman in the Garden of Eden, according to an ancient legend, shows her determination to have men and women treat each other as equals.Serach the musician, who, with her song, reveals to her grandfather Jacob that his son Joseph is still alive, and whose courage to speak out heals the wrongs of another generation.Bityah, who draws the baby Moses from the Nile and with a mother's bravery encourages him to become who he will be, proving that taking a risk to do what s right can change the world.Daughters of Z, who struggle against discrimination with great daring and extraordinary results."

Everyone and everything in the world has a name. What is God s name?

In poetic text and vibrant illustrations, this modern fable celebrates the diversity and, at the same time, the unity of all people.

God must have a single name this greater and more powerful than all other names. All the people of the world set out to find God s name and each of the many seekers is sure that he or she alone has found the right name, the "only" name, for God. Finally, they come together and at last learn what God s name really is.

"In God s Name" is a spiritual celebration of all people of the world and their belief in one God.

Retells the story of two brothers who, after years of sharing everything, become angry enough to lose control and bring violence into the world.

A unique way to create and preserve the spiritual memories of pregnancy, birth, and the first years of a new life. There are enough baby memory books available today to fill a nursery, but finding one that acknowledges birth as a spiritual celebration is like trying to find a binky in the bottom of the diaper bag. More than just a memory book, The New Jewish Baby Album shows you how and why it's important to create a Jewish home and a Jewish life. It includes a section to describe the naming ceremony, space to write encouragements, and pages for writing original blessings and creating original prayers, as well as meaningful quotes throughout. Other highlights include a section for the parents to express personal prayers for the baby; pages for each of the major Jewish holidays; a family tree; room for photos; space to commemorate baby's first Shabbat at home; and much more. This is the perfect baby book for any Jewish family, a spiritual keepsake that will be treasured for generations."

In a divided world, where the one who shouts the loudest often gets the most attention, a story about compromise and listening. "Standing UP " "Lying DOWN " What were the people to do? They decided to ask the rabbi of the town. What are we to do? they asked. Shall we put the mezuzah standing up or lying down? The townspeople have mezuzahs but cannot agree on how to put them up on their doorways. Should they place them horizontally or vertically, standing up or lying down? To end their arguing, they consult the wise rabbi of the town, who advises them to carefully read the Shema in the mezuzah to find the answer. With this lively tale, based on a twelfth-century rabbinic debate, best-selling, award-winning children's author Sandy Eisenberg Sasso helps young people discover that there is often more than one solution to a problem, and that living together and creating home requires cooperation and listening to one another."

A Guide for Jewish and Christian Educators and Parents Children speak about God in ways that are different from adults. They ask many questions about God, questions that can be startlingly direct. Oftentimes adults—parents, grandparents and teachers—feel uncomfortable answering them. Through fantasy, involvement and imagination, Sandy Sasso and Annette Compton invite children of all faiths and backgrounds to encounter God openly through moments in their own lives—and help the adults who love them to be a part of that encounter. This book provides a gift of images that nurtures and encourages children in making meaning of their world. With over 100,000 copies in print, God's Paintbrush remains one of the most popular spiritual books for children of all faiths, all backgrounds. This special anniversary edition includes new ideas for interaction between adults and children, and an important new message from the author.

Sally Priesand, the first American woman to be ordained a rabbi, opened doors for Jewish women's full participation in Jewish life in this third book by Sandy Sasso about courageous women from Jewish history.

A tiny fig tree needs time to grow. But how much time? All four seasons go by . . . and there are no figs. The seasons pass again. Still no figs! Is the fig tree good for nothing? Inspired by the parable of the Barren Fig Tree, The Good for Nothing Tree reminds us that the sweetest figs, like many other things, are worth waiting for. Not every tree-and not every child-grows at the same pace. Yet patience, care, and love can change everything, making what may appear "good for nothing" very good. A note about the parable's New Testament origins and a recipe are included.

A lesson in hope and faith and learning that there are some things in life beyond our control for every child who has worried about what comes next.

Adam and Eve's very first day in the Garden of Eden was perfect safe and unshadowed by worry, doubt, or fear. God's first two people saw morning lift the sun high in the bright sky, and they rested in the contented warmth of the peaceful afternoon.

Before long, Adam and Eve realized that the sun was slipping away. First it began to sink beneath the clouds, to fall behind the mountains, and then the sky became dark, the air cold.

This engaging new story from award-winning author Sandy Eisenberg Sasso explores fear and hope, faith and gratitude in ways that will delight kids and adults inspiring us to bless each of God's new days and nights."

For preschoolers—a first lesson in finding your place in God's creation. This simple, beautiful book helps parents and children explore spirituality together by inviting children of all faiths and backgrounds to encounter God through everyday experience and the imagination. Adapted from Sandy Eisenberg Sasso’s award-winning God’s Paintbrush, playful text and lively illustrations guide very young children in finding faith through colors, song and dance. Preschoolers will delight in turning the sturdy pages and beginning the journey of finding joy and meaning in their world.

Multicultural, Nonsectarian, Nondenominational Endorsed by Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish Religious Leaders Finalist, Children's Books of Distinction Award—Hungry Mind Review A Children’s Book Council Not Just for Children Anymore! Selection Recommended by Parent Council Everyone and everything in the world has a name. What is God’s name? In poetic text and vibrant illustrations, this modern fable celebrates the diversity and, at the same time, the unity of all people. "God must have a single name this greater and more powerful than all other names." All the people of the world set out to find God’s name … and each of the many seekers is sure that he or she alone has found the right name, the only name, for God. Finally, they come together—and at last learn what God’s name really is. In God’s Name is a spiritual celebration of all people of the world and their belief in one God.

Adam and Eve were enjoying their first day on Earth when they noticed the sky growing darker, the sun drifting toward the ground. Without the sun's heat and light, the night grew cold and dark. Adam and Eve were frightened. What was God doing? Was God taking away the sun? With the first sunset, Adam and Eve learn how to get through the night and not be afraid of the dark. And when the new day dawns, they bless God for creating the day and the night. This book explores the power of faith in God and in one another in a way that kids will understand.

Nurturing Child and Adolescent Spirituality: Perspectives from the World's Religious Traditions provides a forum for prominent religious scholars to examine the state of religious knowledge and theological reflection on spiritual development in childhood and adolescence. Featuring essays from thinkers representing the world's major religious traditions, the book introduces new voices, challenges assumptions, raises new questions, and broadens the base of knowledge and investment in this important domain of life. It specifically and intentionally focuses on theological and philosophical perspectives from within religious traditions, creating space for the religious traditions to find their voices. Nurturing Child and Adolescent Spirituality is firmly grounded in the language and priorities of religious studies, and helps stimulate explorations of whether and how religious communities are tapping their own wisdom and strengths in nurturing today's young people in a complex and changing world. Nurturing Child and Adolescent Spirituality will set the stage for new waves of scholarship and dialogue within and across traditions, disciplines, and cultures that will enrich understanding and strengthen how the world's religious traditions, and others, understand and cultivate the spiritual lives of children and adolescents around the globe.

Judy is a force for change. Lovely. -Kirkus Reviews. How Judith Kaplan and her father Rabbi Mordechi Kaplan started the practice of bat mizvah in the synagogue in the United States

PMA Best Religion Book of the Year The inspiring guide to spiritual celebration used in hundreds of congregations Reform, Conservative, Reconstructionist revised and expanded

"Parents and their children acutely feel the social pressures that surround bar and bat mitzvah. But they want to feel the spiritual promise of the event, the pull of the divine, and the knowledge that they are participating in an event that has meaning both in the ancient past and in the very immediate present. They want to know that the steep incline before them is their family's own version of Sinai, the summit where, in every generation, Jews meet God, individually and as a people. They want to know that bar and bat mitzvah can be a path to that summit. And they want to know how to get there. . . . This book can be their guide." from "Why This Book Was Born"

Helps people find core spiritual values in American Jewry's most misunderstood ceremony bar and bat mitzvah. In a joining of explanation, instruction and inspiration, Rabbi Salkin helps both parent and child truly be there when the moment of Sinai is recreated in their lives.

Rabbi Salkin asks and answers questions that make parents and children more comfortable with the event and able to experience it more joyfully. How did bar and bat mitzvah originate? What is the lasting significance of the event? What are the ethics of celebration? What specific things can you do to reclaim the spiritual meaning of the event? How to further develop spirituality? What spiritual values can parents and young people build together?

To help guide friends and family who are not Jewish through this important Jewish life cycle event, Rabbi Salkin provides a brief, welcoming overview: "What Non-Jews Should Know About the Bar and Bat Mitzvah Service.""

Words. There are long words and short words, nice words and mean words. There are silly words, scary words, and hard-to-spell words. There are so many words in our world! But where did they all come from? Award-winning childrens book author Sandy Eisenberg Sasso tells a creative tale about the origin of words, and the power of language, in When God Gave Us Words. Inside this innovative childrens book, God gives the power of words to humankind. At first, God and the angels are pleased with how people use words, but over time they start to use words to make curses, lies, and threats. The angels beg God to take back the gift of language, and just as God is about to take it back, new, beautiful words begin to fill the air. When God Gave Us Words features imaginative illustrations by Darcy Day Zoells. When God Gave Us Words is a 2018 Spirituality & Practice Award Winner!

"One sheep makes a difference. Without her something is missing. Now my flock is complete." Oh, no! The man is missing his sheep! The woman is missing her coin! The father is missing his son! Can you help them find what they are looking for? Who Counts? is a creative retelling of three popular parables: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son. As young readers count to help the characters find what's missing, Who Counts? teaches that every one of us counts in God's eyes and that everyone should feel counted. The stories are beautifully illustrated with modern-day characters and a diversity of ethnicities so that all children will be able to see themselves in the stories.

This volume analyzes historical and recent developments in female religious leadership and the larger issues shaping the scholarly debate at the intersection of gender and religious studies. Jewish activism and scholarship have been crucial in linking theology and gender issues since the early twentieth century. Academic and vocational leadership and training have had significant, concrete impact on religious communal practices and formation across the US and Europe. At the same time, these models provide important avenues of constructive dialogue and comparative ecumenical and interfaith enterprises. This volume investigates those possibilities towards constructive, activist, holistic female ministerial leadership for religious faith communities.

Noah's wife Naamah is called upon by God to gather the seeds of every type of plant on Earth and bring them safely onto the ark before the great flood.

One sheep is missing! Where can it be? This board-book version of the Parable of the Lost Sheep is adapted from the picture book Who Counts? 100 Sheep, 10 Coins, and 2 Sons, first in the popular series of parables retold by Amy-Jill Levine and Sandy Eisenberg Sasso. With accessible language and sturdy pages just right for little hands, 100 Sheep: A Counting Parable builds early counting skills while showing that God's love finds us wherever we go.