RISE AND SHINE

An old recipe written in Yiddish inspires a visit to the local Jewish senior residence to translate its directions for making challah.

Sammy and Sophie’s dress-up playtime in the attic uncovers, in the pocket of an apron, a crumpled piece of paper with strange lettering. Interested in finding out about this “language from long, long ago,” the children bring it to their Grandma Gert, who lives at Shalom House and successfully explains that it belonged to her own Grandma Bess. It is indeed a family recipe that could easily be made today; the children, Grandma Gert and her fellow residents bake the challah in the communal kitchen. Cartoon illustrations created in pencil, pen and ink and finished with computer-aided design reveal the scheduled group-residence life of a great-grandparent crowd (exercise day includes bending, stretching and kvetching). A simple though cumbersome rhyming text narrates the tale, including the traditional weekly ritual of baking the bread with all the seniors in the galley. The intergenerational setting presents a not-often-seen view of family involvement.

Children who visit their grandparents in senior housing may find this especially welcome.