Space Torah
Astronaut Jeffrey Hoffman's Cosmic Mitzvah
As a child, Jeff’s head was often in the clouds.
As an astronaut, he journeyed far beyond them. On his final mission, Jeff brought a miniature Torah into orbit for an out-of-this-world Shabbat celebration!
In Space Torah, a picture book biography of astronaut Jeffrey Hoffman, young readers learn of Jeff’s path to becoming an astronaut and see the many ways in which he connected his love of Judaism and his love of outer space. From bringing his Bar Mitzvah prayer book on one mission to spinning a dreidel in mid-air on another, Jeff shows young readers the joy of being Jewish . . . in space!
“. . . [S]parkling picture-book biography . . . . The illustrations allow readers to marvel at all aspects of the story, whether through luminous backgrounds of space or in depictions of key moments in Hoffman’s life. . . . A beautiful and meaningful juxtaposition of ancient Jewish tradition with modern space exploration.”—starred, Booklist
“. . . Torah is perfect for children who show an interest in space exploration and how they, as humans, fit into our remarkable galaxy. . . . Space Torah should be considered for Sydney Taylor recognition.”—Sydney Taylor Shmooze
“. . . This book is a delight. The details will be fascinating to both children and adults. Spinning a dreidel as it floats in midair? Hebrew school students voting on which miniature Torah to take into space! How do you decide when it’s Shabbat in outer space when a day is only 90 minutes? Kids will definitely be intrigued. . . . It’s wonderful to have a book that emphasizes scientific experience while at the same time subtly touches on spirituality. . . . Highly recommended for purchase for both synagogue and school libraries.”—AJL News & Reviews
| Format | Your Price | Add |
|---|---|---|
|
978-1-951365-19-6
|
$14.99 |
| Interest Level | Kindergarten - Grade 3 |
|---|---|
| Reading Level | Grade 2 |
| Genre | Picture Books, Social Studies |
| Category | 5 Kinds of Nonfiction, 5KN: Narrative Nonfiction |
| Copyright | 2024 |
| Publisher | Intergalactic Afikoman |
| Imprint | Intergalactic Afikoman |
| Language | English |
| Number of Pages | 36 |
| Publication Date | 2024-03-05 |
Author: Rachelle Burk
Rachelle Burk writes fiction and nonfiction books for children. She also entertains kids as Mother Goof Storyteller and Tickles the Clown. Rachelle is a retired social worker who enjoys traveling and making mosaic art. Visit rachelleburk.com.
Illustrator: Craig Orback
Craig Orback is an award-winning children’s book illustrator living in the Northwest. He teaches children’s book illustration and oil painting at several local colleges. In his free time he enjoys painting landscapes and sharing his books with kids during school and library visits.
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Reviews
Booklist
“A beautiful and meaningful juxtaposition of ancient Jewish tradition with modern space exploration.”—starred, Booklist