The See-You-Soon Spice Box by Pamela Ehrenberg with illustrations by Gabby Grant; Minneapolis, Minnesota: Kar-Ben Publishing’ (c) 2025; ISBN 9798765-627440; 32 pages; $18.99; Publication date March 4, 2025.
SAN DIEGO — This book in an engaging way familiarizes its intended audience of children ages 3 through 8 with the Havdalah ceremony.
Silas and his Great-Grandmother Faye keep in touch via Internet, always bidding each other goodbye with a silly rhyme. “See you soon, Macaroon,” is one. “See you soon, Tablespoon” is another. One day Faye tells her great-grandson that her favorite part of Shabbat is the Havdalah ceremony, particularly when she sniffs the spice box. She shows Silas the spice box that his great-grandfather made for her.
Havdalah, great grandmother noted, is a time in between Shabbat and the regular week. It comes reliably every seven days.
Silas decides he wants to have a spice box for Havdalah too. He finds a plastic cup with a lid, glues colorful paper squares to its exterior, and pours cinnamon inside. Then, following the next Shabbat, when his great grandmother brings her spice box out, Silas shows his. They chant the Havdalah service together via the Internet.
For Silas, there was one Shabbat even more special than the others. It was Great Grandmother Faye came to visit.
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Donald H. Harrison is publisher and editor of San Diego Jewish World.