יהדות התפוצות

Family reading advice

• Share
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 

Simachi’s Big Day is a long book. We therefore recommend reading it in two parts, pausing at the point where Simachi wonders why her brother, Avram, is dressed in his best clothes, and reading the rest the next day.

Listening to Simachi

• Share
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 

What does the story sound like? Scan the code and listen to the story while looking through the book.

A pineapple on my head

• Share
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 

Avram and Nemi play a game by walking with a pineapple on their head and seeing who lasts longer without dropping it. You can also play a similar game: choose an item that you can put on your head – a pillow, toy or box, and find out: Which of you can walk while keeping it on your head? And how far?

Following the sea

• Share
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 

The book describes many seaside activities: the fish moving, rowing, swimming, bringing fishnets in, sailing or flying a flag on the boat’s flagpole. You can choose one of these activities, and mime it. Your family will need to guess which activity you meant, and look for it among the book’s illustrations. Good luck!

Pinterest

• Share
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 

More arts & crafts, songs and activities can be found on the Sifriyat Pijama Pinterest page.

Discussion – How can we cheer ourselves up?

• Share
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 

“Even in rough times – Shmulek can count on his harmonica” –What helps you during hard times? You can discuss and share ideas on how to cheer yourself up when you are sad or times are hard: It can be a tune, a dream, or a hug from someone you love.

Heartbeats of memories

• Share
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 

Which songs are your favorite? You can listen to songs you like when you are sad or happy, in the morning , or those that help you fall asleep. You may want to create a family soundtrack of favorite songs to listen to when the mood is right.

A dream box

• Share
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 

Shmulek places his  teeth that had fallen out in a box. You can also find a box, decorate it, and place special objects in it, such as treasures that you have found, or paintings of dreams that you would like to make come true.

Pinterest

• Share
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 

Arts & crafts, songs and other activities can be found on the Sifriyat Pijama Pinterest page.

A discussion on stories that “once were”

• Share
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 

Following this book, you could also raise memories and tell stories that “once were” – a childhood story of yours, parents, or one told by Grandma or Grandpa about the old days.

Listening to the story

• Share
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 

You could listen to the story together or separately; all you have to do is scan the QR code and… let the magic begin!

Suitable for families of Olim too.

Look how we have grown!

• Share
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 

The tree grew, as did Rebecca. And how about you? Perhaps you would enjoy watching videos and looking at photographs to see how both children and parents have grown and changed. You could even discuss the kinds of actions that your children were able or unable to do in the past.

Orange sponge cake

• Share
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 

Would you like to bake a cake? All you need are two eggs, one third of a cup of sugar, one third of a cup of oil, half a cup of fresh orange juice, a cup of flour (or substitute) and one teaspoon of baking powder. You could also add the grated zest of half an orange.

Mix all the ingredients in order and place in an oven preheated to 180 degrees Celsius. Bon Appetit!

פינטרסט

• Share
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 

Find more inspiration and creative activity in our Pinterest page.

Discussion

• Share
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 

Following the childhood story the father tells his child in this book, you could also share memories and stories from your own childhood with your child: Where did you grow up? What did you like doing? Which songs and stories accompanied you? What were your hobbies? Did you have any household chores or special roles to play within your family? Perhaps you had some pets?

You could also look at the illustrations in the book, choose your favorite one, and share your choice with each other.

A family story

• Share
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 

How about asking some family members to share their stories of life transitions with you? Which countries have they lived in? how did they end up in Israel, and how was their absorption? Did they move into a new community upon making Aliyah? You could act the stories you were told out, or tell them using a song and dance.

A magical tune

• Share
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 

Melodies can have a profound effect on us. In the spirit of this book, you could listen to different tunes together, close your eyes, “enter” the melody, and dance to it.

Jerusalem of Gold

• Share
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 

At the end of the book, Jerusalem is depicted as golden, just as it was in the Ethiopian immigrants’ dreams. The phrase ‘Jerusalem of Gold’ was mentioned in Jewish scripture as the name of the golden jewel that Rabbi Akiva gave his wife, etched with the image of Jerusalem. Inspired by it, Naomi Shemer wrote the lyrics and music to her song, so entitled, which became one of the most well-known and loved Israeli songs. Perhaps you could ask your child why they think Jerusalem was called that, listen to the famous song together, or play it as an ensemble.

Pinterest

• Share
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 

Suggestions for enriching, creative arts & crafts and other activities can be found on the The Magic Flute and the Dancing Sheep board on the PJLibrary Pinterest page

read this book together

• Share
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 

You may want to read this book together, pause, and ask your child to tell you what they think is happening at that point in the story. How far along were you when you figured out where the grandmother and grandson were going, who the people in the black suits were, and what their cases contained?

• The grandmother and grandson in this book are spending time together

• Share
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 

The grandmother and grandson in this book are spending time together. A special connection is often forged between children and their grandparents, that is unlike the relationship between parents and children. Can you recall a special time spent with your grandma or grandpa? You may want to share your childhood memories with your child, and discuss their relationship with their grandparents, aunts, or uncles.

playing a game

• Share
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 

The authors depict the concert in the sand through a detective story, in which the grandmother does not tell her grandson where they are headed. Having read the book together, you may want to suggest playing a game in which your child will take you somewhere without disclosing your destination. Your child can prepare clues along the way, much like a treasure hunt.

What kind of music do you like listening to?

• Share
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 

During the first concert, the orchestra played pieces by Schubert, Brahms, Mendelssohn, and others. What kind of music do you like listening to? Does anyone in your family play a musical instrument, or is learning to play one? Having read this book together, you may also enjoy attending a concert together, or even holding one of your own at home. There are many roles to be played at a family concert – musicians, conductor, and audience.

Bronislaw Huberman

• Share
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 

Not too many people know the story of Bronislaw Huberman. Numerous men and women have been courageous and done great deeds for which they have not become famous. Perhaps you can think of another historical figure that you have heard about or known personally, whose story you would like to share with your child. You could even make a short storybook about them, and send it to us.