#Beverly Rae Charette

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Hanukkah for Children

We are in the middle of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights! This storybook from our Historical Curriculum Collection by Beverly Rae Charette, The Story of Chanukah for Children, presents the narrative of Hanukkah in verse for children. After recounting the revolt of the Maccabees, Charette ties the traditions of Hanukkah, the menorah, latkes, the dreidel, and the singing of victory into the practice of remembrance. The menorah and latkes commemorate the oil that miraculously burned for 8 days. The dreidel allowed Jews to surreptitiously study Torah under the watchful eye of Syrian soldiers. Songs of victory honor the triumph of the Maccabees over the much larger and well-equipped occupying army. 

The book was published in Milwaukee in 1981 with illustrations by Dick Keller and editing and research contributed by Rabbi Francis Barry Silberg. Keller is also the illustrator of 14 children’s books written by his wife Irene Keller, including a series featuring the hijinks of the mischievous Thingamajigs and the Benjamin Rabbit series. Rabbi Silberg is a retired University of Wisconsin Professor, where he was scholar-in-residence in ethics for the School of Business, and he was the long-time rabbi for Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun in Milwaukee. Has also written his own children’s books, The Story of Passover and The Story of Chanukah, both published in 2002. Among his many accomplishments, he once held the world record jumping rope (five hours in 1975)!

View our previous Hanukkah posts.

We wish you a bright, festive, and very Happy Hanukkah!

-- Olivia, Special Collections Graduate Intern

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