'My books combine enthusiasm and wonder with concise and impactful language.'

Getting Ready for Shabbat! Let's Make Soup!

To help get ready for Shabbat (the Jewish Sabbath), a young boy (modeled on our eldest grandson who is now 5 ½ years old) joyfully chooses and interacts with ingredients his grandma (yours truly ) adds to their pot of soup in this colorful picture book. Following the story, readers can enjoy interactive activities and links to on-line games to further enrich children’s experience of “Getting ready for Shabbat!” Clear explanations of the observance of Shabbat are included. I also share the recipe for my favorite Shabbat soup combining traditional Ashkenazi flavors with the richness of Persian Ghormeh Sabzi.

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Girl's Names from the Hebrew Bible

Your child can color scenes from the Hebrew Bible featuring 18 important women alongside their names in Hebrew.

From our four founding mothers, Sarah, Rivkah, Leah and Rachel, to Queen Esther, from yearning for freedom in Egypt with Miriam and Batya to Jewish independence with Noa and Michal, this coloring books supports meaningful creativity.

Each spread also includes a modern-day girl of the same name written in English wearing modest clothing. The characters celebrate the range of ethnicity of the Jewish people.

About the Author

Chaya Bluma was born in Pennsylvania and grew up in Maryland.  After graduating from Rice University, she made aliyah (immigrated) to Israel. For over thirty years, she has been blessed to call this country home. Chaya Bluma is an enthusiastic EFL educator and an active member of SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators). “Getting ready for Shabbat! Let’s make Soup!” is her first book.