Overview

"It's Rosh Chodesh, the beginning of a new month in the Jewish calendar! In celebration of this monthly event, a family goes out to the Negev Desert to camp out and observe the moon. A photo essay about the changing phases of the moon and their relationship to the Jewish calendar, this beautifully photographed book explains the basics of the Jewish calendar, which is based on the moon rather than the sun. Instructions for building a papier mache moon are included. This book is the fifth in Kar-Ben's ""Nature in Israel"" holiday series by this author/photographer team."

Full Product Details

9781467719469

Table of Contents

Reviews

"An Israeli family journeys to beautiful Machtesh Ramon in the Negev to spend Rosh Chodesh, the beginning of the month, observing and learning about the moon while also enjoying a hiking and camping experience. The young reader is introduced to the unique natural beauty, unusual rocks, and animal life in this ecosystem, and also experiences a close-up of the new crescent moon through a telescope. The family and the reader share the changing phases of the moon and are treated to a thorough explana-tion from Ira, a real astronomer who actually does tours in the crater. When it is time for dinner, their pitas also illustrate the various phases of the moon. The photo essay is followed by a page with suggestions for a craft project on how to make a papier-mache moon and also a paragraph about the history of Rosh Chodesh. Illustrated with lovely professional photographs that perfectly portray the natural events and wonders discussed, this book is part of Kar-Ben's 'Nature in Israel' series on the holidays. This book is well done and filled with facts that will integrate the holiday of Rosh Chodesh with the teaching of astronomy. In addition, children will develop an appreciation of the earth's environment. This can be a perfect addition to a classroom unit on Israel or Rosh Chodesh. Recommended as a read-to and indepen-dent read for ages 4-9. -- Jewish Book World -- ""Magazine"" The beginning of a new month, known in the Jewish calendar as Rosh Chodesh, is explained via a family's camping trip in the Negev Desert. A young Jewish boy named Ira narrates his family's purposeful outing to learn about the phases of the moon through a guide's instruction and demonstrations of the Jewish lunar calendar. Clear, distinct color photography modulates from sunny, sandy desert scenes to dark, campfire-illuminated ones to highlight the essential elements of the experience. Family members hold a globe-patterned inflatable beach ball, a papier-mache moon and a lantern as they move around one another to illustrate each phase of the moon and how each new month begins with the first sliver of the crescent moon. Of course, the clear night sky and a look through a telescope to see the stars, constellations and planets are also quite intriguing. As a final sweet culmination to the lesson, baking round pita bread over an open flame and then creating 'pita-moons' with chocolate spread allows Ira a chance to synthesize what he has learned before he enjoys a big bite. The story concludes with a papier-mache-moon craft activity. A nice blend of planetary science and religious observance. -- Kirkus Reviews -- ""Journal"""

The beginning of a new month, known in the Jewish calendar as Rosh Chodesh, is explained via a family's camping trip in the Negev Desert. A young Jewish boy named Ira narrates his family's purposeful outing to learn about the phases of the moon through a guide's instruction and demonstrations of the Jewish lunar calendar. Clear, distinct color photography modulates from sunny, sandy desert scenes to dark, campfire-illuminated ones to highlight the essential elements of the experience. Family members hold a globe-patterned inflatable beach ball, a papier-mache moon and a lantern as they move around one another to illustrate each phase of the moon and how each new month begins with the first sliver of the crescent moon. Of course, the clear night sky and a look through a telescope to see the stars, constellations and planets are also quite intriguing. As a final sweet culmination to the lesson, baking round pita bread over an open flame and then creating 'pita-moons' with chocolate spread allows Ira a chance to synthesize what he has learned before he enjoys a big bite. The story concludes with a papier-mache-moon craft activity. A nice blend of planetary science and religious observance. -- Kirkus Reviews -- Journal An Israeli family journeys to beautiful Machtesh Ramon in the Negev to spend Rosh Chodesh, the beginning of the month, observing and learning about the moon while also enjoying a hiking and camping experience. The young reader is introduced to the unique natural beauty, unusual rocks, and animal life in this ecosystem, and also experiences a close-up of the new crescent moon through a telescope. The family and the reader share the changing phases of the moon and are treated to a thorough explana-tion from Ira, a real astronomer who actually does tours in the crater. When it is time for dinner, their pitas also illustrate the various phases of the moon. The photo essay is followed by a page with suggestions for a craft project on how to make a papier-mache moon and also a paragraph about the history of Rosh Chodesh. Illustrated with lovely professional photographs that perfectly portray the natural events and wonders discussed, this book is part of Kar-Ben's 'Nature in Israel' series on the holidays. This book is well done and filled with facts that will integrate the holiday of Rosh Chodesh with the teaching of astronomy. In addition, children will develop an appreciation of the earth's environment. This can be a perfect addition to a classroom unit on Israel or Rosh Chodesh. Recommended as a read-to and indepen-dent read for ages 4-9. -- Jewish Book World -- Magazine

An Israeli family journeys to beautiful Machtesh Ramon in the Negev to spend Rosh Chodesh, the beginning of the month, observing and learning about the moon while also enjoying a hiking and camping experience. The young reader is introduced to the unique natural beauty, unusual rocks, and animal life in this ecosystem, and also experiences a close-up of the new crescent moon through a telescope. The family and the reader share the changing phases of the moon and are treated to a thorough explana-tion from Ira, a real astronomer who actually does tours in the crater. When it is time for dinner, their pitas also illustrate the various phases of the moon. The photo essay is followed by a page with suggestions for a craft project on how to make a papier-mache moon and also a paragraph about the history of Rosh Chodesh. Illustrated with lovely professional photographs that perfectly portray the natural events and wonders discussed, this book is part of Kar-Ben's 'Nature in Israel' series on the holidays. This book is well done and filled with facts that will integrate the holiday of Rosh Chodesh with the teaching of astronomy. In addition, children will develop an appreciation of the earth's environment. This can be a perfect addition to a classroom unit on Israel or Rosh Chodesh. Recommended as a read-to and indepen-dent read for ages 4-9. -- Jewish Book World --Magazine The beginning of a new month, known in the Jewish calendar as Rosh Chodesh, is explained via a family's camping trip in the Negev Desert. A young Jewish boy named Ira narrates his family's purposeful outing to learn about the phases of the moon through a guide's instruction and demonstrations of the Jewish lunar calendar. Clear, distinct color photography modulates from sunny, sandy desert scenes to dark, campfire-illuminated ones to highlight the essential elements of the experience. Family members hold a globe-patterned inflatable beach ball, a papier-mache moon and a lantern as they move around one another to illustrate each phase of the moon and how each new month begins with the first sliver of the crescent moon. Of course, the clear night sky and a look through a telescope to see the stars, constellations and planets are also quite intriguing. As a final sweet culmination to the lesson, baking round pita bread over an open flame and then creating 'pita-moons' with chocolate spread allows Ira a chance to synthesize what he has learned before he enjoys a big bite. The story concludes with a papier-mache-moon craft activity. A nice blend of planetary science and religious observance. -- Kirkus Reviews --Journal

The beginning of a new month, known in the Jewish calendar as Rosh Chodesh, is explained via a family's camping trip in the Negev Desert. A young Jewish boy named Ira narrates his family's purposeful outing to learn about the phases of the moon through a guide's instruction and demonstrations of the Jewish lunar calendar. Clear, distinct color photography modulates from sunny, sandy desert scenes to dark, campfire-illuminated ones to highlight the essential elements of the experience. Family members hold a globe-patterned inflatable beach ball, a papier-mache moon and a lantern as they move around one another to illustrate each phase of the moon and how each new month begins with the first sliver of the crescent moon. Of course, the clear night sky and a look through a telescope to see the stars, constellations and planets are also quite intriguing. As a final sweet culmination to the lesson, baking round pita bread over an open flame and then creating 'pita-moons' with chocolate spread allows Ira a chance to synthesize what he has learned before he enjoys a big bite. The story concludes with a papier-mache-moon craft activity. A nice blend of planetary science and religious observance. -- Kirkus Reviews --Journal An Israeli family journeys to beautiful Machtesh Ramon in the Negev to spend Rosh Chodesh, the beginning of the month, observing and learning about the moon while also enjoying a hiking and camping experience. The young reader is introduced to the unique natural beauty, unusual rocks, and animal life in this ecosystem, and also experiences a close-up of the new crescent moon through a telescope. The family and the reader share the changing phases of the moon and are treated to a thorough explana-tion from Ira, a real astronomer who actually does tours in the crater. When it is time for dinner, their pitas also illustrate the various phases of the moon. The photo essay is followed by a page with suggestions for a craft project on how to make a papier-mache moon and also a paragraph about the history of Rosh Chodesh. Illustrated with lovely professional photographs that perfectly portray the natural events and wonders discussed, this book is part of Kar-Ben's 'Nature in Israel' series on the holidays. This book is well done and filled with facts that will integrate the holiday of Rosh Chodesh with the teaching of astronomy. In addition, children will develop an appreciation of the earth's environment. This can be a perfect addition to a classroom unit on Israel or Rosh Chodesh. Recommended as a read-to and indepen-dent read for ages 4-9. -- Jewish Book World --Magazine

Author Information

Allison Ofanansky, born in the U.S., moved to Israel and became an Israeli citizen in 1996. She lives in the village of Kaditah near the mystical city of Safed, with her husband Shmuel and daughter Aravah. They enjoy hiking the hills of the Galilee, gathering and eating the fruits that grow there. They are involved in environmental and eco-peace projects. Born and raised outside Chicago and now living in Israel, photographer Eliyahu Alpern has been interested in food, travel, and photography since childhood. He's been a musician, cougar rehabilitator, vegetarian chef, organic farmer and multi-media maven. His photographic specialty is 360-degree panoramic images of Israel. He lives in the Upper Galilee with his family.

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