The Christmas Mitzvah - by Jeff Gottesfeld (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Al Rosen, a Jewish man, takes on the jobs of his Christian neighbors on Christmas Eve and day so they can spend the holiday with their families, starting a tradition that lasts for decades."--

Book Synopsis

Al Rosen, a Jewish man, takes on the jobs of his Christian neighbors on Christmas Eve and day so they can spend the holiday with their families, starting a tradition that lasts for decades.

A mitzvah, as Al explains, is a good deed, especially apt on holidays. A strong cross-over read, this warm story is about kindness and differences bringing people together.

This book was selected as a Best Jewish Children's Book of 2021 by Tablet Magazine and is a Sydney Taylor honor award!

Review Quotes

"The Christmas Mitvzah will leave the reader with a warm, gratifying feeling and a desire to find people in need of help who they can assist in ways large and small."--Jewish Book Council

-- (12/16/2021 12:00:00 AM)

"A heartwarming slice of neighborly love, caring, and sharing."--Kirkus Reviews

-- (8/18/2021 12:00:00 AM)

"Gottesfeld succeeds in highlighting a compassionate lesson of community care, and the importance of turning kindheartedness into action."--Publishers Weekly

-- (9/13/2021 12:00:00 AM)

"Per the straightforward text, Al ran a newsstand, pumped gas, sorted mail, shined shoes, and much more. Cheerful digital illustrations show him gamely going about the tasks . . . [A]t the end of the book, everyone whom Al had helped--'all the folks easy to dismiss in a world that mistakes wealth for worth'--gratifyingly comes together to celebrate Hanukkah with his family."--The Horn Book Magazine

-- (11/1/2021 12:00:00 AM)

"This inspirational cross-cultural story, based on true events, captures the holiday spirit . . . the message is a worthy one and the writing is clear, concise, and accessible. The cartoon-style illustrations are humorous and appealing, depicting a multicultural cast [with] a vibrant color palette that draws the eye and creates effective pacing[.]"--School Library Journal

-- (11/17/2021 12:00:00 AM)

"This lovely book represents the epitome of interfaith, interracial, and intergenerational interaction. People of all social classes, ethnicities, sizes and shapes are represented in the charming, down-to-earth illustrations. This is the perfect story to demonstrate that our differences do not need to divide us, rather they can serve as a wonderful opportunity to bring us together. A wonderful winter holiday book for the entire community."--Association of Jewish Libraries

-- (12/6/2021 12:00:00 AM)