In an imaginary dialogue between Elia, an eight-year-old boy, and his hamster Jonathan, the story in this book retraces the preparations and celebrations of the Jewish New Year: Rosh Hashanah. Elia explains the essence of the holiday to Jonathan—a whimsical premise designed to engage young readers in the spirit of the festivities.
The charming Jonathan, for his part, is a student far more interested in eating the foods of the Seder than discovering their meaning. However, as the story unfolds, he reveals himself to be a curious hamster who—much like a young child—asks many questions and becomes increasingly captivated.
Elia not only enjoys answering these questions but also feels a sense of importance in explaining what he has learned from adults: words in Hebrew and Aramaic, the various stages of the Seder, and the significance of the Shofar. By the end, Jonathan the hamster has learned one thing perfectly: on Rosh Hashanah, you get to eat lots of sweet things!
Target Age: 6–10 years
