Rebecca's Prayer for President Lincoln
Each night when she says her prayers, Rebecca thinks of her Papa who lost a hand while fighting in President Lincoln’s war. He still believes the war was righteous: “We Jews, who were once slaves in Egypt, should never let another human being be held in slavery. Our America should not be their Egypt.” One Saturday morning at synagogue, the rabbi has some shocking news: “Last night President Lincoln was shot.” The cantor starts to sing the Mourner’s Kaddish, the Jewish prayer for the dead. Without prompting, Rebecca, her father, and all the congregants join in, mourning the President as one of their own. Based on a true story.
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Author: Jane Yolen
Jane Yolen lives in Massachusetts and has written more than 400 books across all genres and age ranges, including the Sydney Taylor Honor book Miriam at the River. In 2022 she was named the The Sydney Taylor Body-of-Work Winner. She has been called the Hans Christian Andersen of America and the Aesop of the twentieth century.
Illustrator: Laura Barella
Laura Barella lives and works in a house with cats, trees, and a hammock. She loves reading, playing ancient music with her husband, and spending sunny afternoons with her sketchpad and pencils in a rowboat on a nearby lake. A graduate of the European Institute of Design, she has illustrated many children’s books.
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Reviews
Children's Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD)
“A must-read. . . Straightforward and thought-provoking, readers will understand the historical events easily. Reviewer Rating: 5”—Children’s Literature
Jewish Book Council
“A beautiful description of true events seen through a Jewish lens, this book is a valuable addition to classrooms, libraries, and households alike.” - Jewish Book Council
Kirkus Reviews
“Highlights an intriguing aspect of Jewish American history through a child’s eyes.”—Kirkus Reviews
San Diego Jewish World
“This book for children ages 5-9 tells of a Jewish family whose father lost a hand fighting for the Union in the Civil War, referencing the story of Jews having been slaves in Egypt to connect with the father explaining that he had a moral imperative to free African-Americans from bondage in the United States. Illustrations by Laura Barella capture the fashions of men and women at the time – women wearing hoop skirts, men wearing top hats. The narrative moves to the assassination of President Lincoln at Ford’s Theatre on a Friday night – the same time that many observant Jewish families were at their Shabbat dinners. When Rebecca’s mother lights candles, they unexpectedly flicker – symbolizing the spiritual blow to the nation. The next morning at New York City’s Temple Emanu-El, the news of President Lincoln’s death was announced to a shocked congregation, who immediately stood and recited kaddish for the fallen President as Rebecca sobs in her father’s arms. The book provides additional background for the story, including a photographs of Lincoln, his funeral hearse, his funeral procession, and an English translation of the mourners’ kaddish.” — San Diego Jewish World