Review: A Turkish Rosh Hashanah

A Turkish Rosh Hashanah

by Etan Basseri, illustrated by Zeynep Özatala

Kalaniot Books, 2024

Category: Picture Books

Reviewer: Rinat Hadad Siegel

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A Turkish Rosh Hashanah gives us a glimpse into the traditions and flavors of Rosh Hashanah as it was celebrated by one branch of Sephardic communities. The community mentioned in this story was expelled from Spain in 1492 and found refuge in Constantinople, under the rule of the Ottoman Empire, hence the abundance of Ladino words throughout the story. The narrative of a Rosh Hashanah experience unfolds in the markets and sights of Constantinople, now known as Istanbul. This rich historical backdrop anchors the story and allows the reader to connect with the cultural and historical roots of this community.

We meet our characters at the beginning of the story as they plan their shopping spree to get all the ingredients they need to make the dishes in time for Rosh Hashanah seder, as described in the story, the "yehi retzonot." Those Hebrew words are recited at the beginning of each blessing during the seder.
We follow Rafael, Alegra, and Leon in the market place, in between the stands of produce and other goods. Themes of family, friendship, courage, and tradition are sprinkled throughout the pages.
The children help each other through different challenges and get all the ingredients their grandmother requested. Then they sit together for a festive family meal and say all the different wishes and blessings for the new year.

I found this story to be a lovely crossover between an informative guide to a Sephardic Rosh Hashanah and a child-friendly adventure in the marketplace. Etan Basseri does a beautiful job introducing young readers to the traditions and customs of the holiday as they are celebrated in that particular community. 

The illustrations are lively and vibrant, with authentic details of that time period and location. From the market to the clothes and accessories, every detail takes us back in time and transports us into Constantinople. The characters have subtle variations in skin tone.

In the back matter, Etan adds information about the Jewish community in Turkey. He also beautifully references a quote from the Song of Songs book and how it relates to the story. We also have a Ladino glossary.

As we open our hearts to learning about all these different communities and experiences of Jewish life, this story is a welcome addition to our Jewish bookshelf.

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Reviewer Rinat Hadad Siegel was born in Israel to a Jewish Mizrahi family. She is a children’s book author and a former educator and resource teacher for elementary and middle-school-aged children. Rinat received her Bachelor’s Degree from the Ben Gurion University of the Negev and holds a Master’s in Education from the American Jewish University in Los Angeles. Exploring Mizrahi roots is one of Rinat’s passions, and she aspires to promote and add diverse Jewish history into children’s literature. Find more information at rinathadadsiegel.com.