Review: On a Chariot of Fire: The Story of India's Bene Israel
On a Chariot of Fire: The Story of India's Bene Israel
by Erica Lyons, illustrated by Siona Benjamin
Levine Querido, 2024
Category: Picture Books
Reviewer: Amy Blaine
Buy at Bookshop.org
On the title verso (e-version review copy) of On a Chariot of Fire: The Story of India’s Bene Israel, a small note describes the process by which illustrator Siona Benjamin created the images for her forthcoming picture book: “Siona Benjamin began the process for illustrating this book by researching images from her own Indian Jewish family, community and background.” Images of saris, pomegranates, and head-coverings emphasize the common threads of culture. Blues, oranges, and yellows provide a vibrant backdrop for the words, told by Erica Lyons; a story of how this unique community first came to be on the Indian subcontinent.
At first glance, this book takes the form of a contemporary grandmother telling the story of her family’s past to her granddaughter. Yet beneath the surface is a fascinating history of how Jews, fleeing by ship from the rebellion against Antiochus, became refugees to the shores of Alibag (just south of Mumbai). According to history, fourteen survivors of a shipwreck (7 men and 7 women) made it to shore. Perhaps their cries for help to Eliyahu were answered? Welcomed by the residents who lived there, the descendants joined the Marathi community, all while keeping their Jewish identity. Thus began Bene Israel, the children of Israel in India.
For an adult perspective, this book piqued my interest in the Bene Israel community and I immediately looked for additional information on their history in India. For children, especially those who have a connection to India (Jewish or not), this picture book has all the awe and wonder of both the Torah and the illustrated Amar Chitra Katha narratives. (The illustrated chariot in which Eliyahu HaNavi descends and ascends to praise the Bene Israel people for maintaining their faith, made me recall the tomes of Amar Chitra Katha comics that my childhood friend and I would devour as kids.) An author’s note describes in more detail the history of the three groups of Jews in India, and a short glossary is included.
It is worth noting that author/illustrator duo Erica Lyons and Siona Benjamin are obviously scholars as well as creators: Erica Lyons lives in Hong Kong and is chair of the Hong Kong Jewish Historical Society, and Siona Benjamin is a twice recipient of the Fullbright Fellowship, which allowed her to travel to Israel and India. Clearly their interests have informed this unique contribution to children's literature.
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Reviewer Amy Blaine has been a librarian for over twenty years, and is currently a National Board Certified Teacher and public school librarian. She enjoys children's literature, as well as adult literature with a Jewish focus. She blogs at yournextjewishread.com.
On the title verso (e-version review copy) of On a Chariot of Fire: The Story of India’s Bene Israel, a small note describes the process by which illustrator Siona Benjamin created the images for her forthcoming picture book: “Siona Benjamin began the process for illustrating this book by researching images from her own Indian Jewish family, community and background.” Images of saris, pomegranates, and head-coverings emphasize the common threads of culture. Blues, oranges, and yellows provide a vibrant backdrop for the words, told by Erica Lyons; a story of how this unique community first came to be on the Indian subcontinent.
At first glance, this book takes the form of a contemporary grandmother telling the story of her family’s past to her granddaughter. Yet beneath the surface is a fascinating history of how Jews, fleeing by ship from the rebellion against Antiochus, became refugees to the shores of Alibag (just south of Mumbai). According to history, fourteen survivors of a shipwreck (7 men and 7 women) made it to shore. Perhaps their cries for help to Eliyahu were answered? Welcomed by the residents who lived there, the descendants joined the Marathi community, all while keeping their Jewish identity. Thus began Bene Israel, the children of Israel in India.
For an adult perspective, this book piqued my interest in the Bene Israel community and I immediately looked for additional information on their history in India. For children, especially those who have a connection to India (Jewish or not), this picture book has all the awe and wonder of both the Torah and the illustrated Amar Chitra Katha narratives. (The illustrated chariot in which Eliyahu HaNavi descends and ascends to praise the Bene Israel people for maintaining their faith, made me recall the tomes of Amar Chitra Katha comics that my childhood friend and I would devour as kids.) An author’s note describes in more detail the history of the three groups of Jews in India, and a short glossary is included.
It is worth noting that author/illustrator duo Erica Lyons and Siona Benjamin are obviously scholars as well as creators: Erica Lyons lives in Hong Kong and is chair of the Hong Kong Jewish Historical Society, and Siona Benjamin is a twice recipient of the Fullbright Fellowship, which allowed her to travel to Israel and India. Clearly their interests have informed this unique contribution to children's literature.
Are you interested in reviewing books for The Sydney Taylor Shmooze? Click here!
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