Description
Book SynopsisMeet Hanina, the daughter of a Jewish tailor who cures a sultan’s only child by taming a lioness to get her milk.And Nahum Bilbas, the brave rabbi-in-training who dares to confront the great warrior El Cid in order to secure peace for the Jews of Valencia.These and countless other colorful characters will entertain and intrigue you in this delightful collection that contains lessons, truths, surprises, and happy endings.
When the Jews fled the Iberian Peninsula in 1492 and scattered all over Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, they took with them the folktales that were an integral part of their heritage.As they settled into their new homelands, they borrowed many of the literary devices and motifs from their adopted countries, adding varied flavor to the traditional Jewish stories.
For ages eight and up, The Power of Song includes a glossary of foreign words, and each story is accompanied by a short commentary on its origin and meaning.
Trade Review
“The stories are the perfect centerpiece for family storytelling. . . . Readers are taken on a ride through Jewish Mediterranean history.”—Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle
“This book is wonderful reading for young adults and adults to expand their knowledge of Sephardic culture.”—National Jewish Post and Opinion
Table of Contents
Foreword
Acknowledgments
The Enduring Power of Folktales
The TalesThe Power of Song
What Djoha Needed
Tzohar
Blancanina
A Friend for a King
Zipporah and the Seven Walnuts
The Contrarian
The Color Red
The Grateful Dead
The Vengeful Queen
Nahum Bibas
The Body Parts
The Ivory FluteNotes
Bibliography
Glossary
