Erica Lyons - Böcker

Learn the other side of the Hanukkah story, A Chariot of Fire follows the Bene Israel community, as they flee Israel to find a new home in India.Two thousand years ago, a ship sailed east, alone on an endless sea. The people onboard were fleeing the same war that the Maccabees fought in the ancient land of Israel. They took with them their faith and their traditions, knowing they would sail for more than a year.When a great storm crushed their boat on the shores of India, only a few survived.Some say the prophet Elijah plucked them from the sea. But they were welcomed by the people of the new land. They survived and adapted, with new spices for their food and new clothing and culture to borrow, but never strayed from their faith. They say Elijah came back down from Heaven in a chariot of fire, to praise this community, the Bene Israel of India for their strength, and their belief. Here, for all to share, is their story.

A Tablet Magazine Best Jewish Children's Book for 2022!National Jewish Book Award FinalistA hopeful but not sugarcoated retelling of the first spring and Passover of the pandemic . . . A lovely reminder of how the pandemic that separated us also brought us together. --Rachel Fremmer, Tablet MagazineA young girl practices the Four Questions on her apartment balcony in Jerusalem and finds a way to bring the neighbors together for Passover even during the separation of a pandemic.

Named a Best Jewish Children’s Book of 2024 by Tablet Magazine"A worthwhile choice for family reading time and all children's book collections."—Association of Jewish Libraries"Simple and melodic . . . bright and beautiful"—Historical Novel SocietyWhen young Saliman's family left Yemen in 1881 to move to Jerusalem there were so many things they could not take along. Promising to remember it all, even the names of each their goats and the color of their fur, he clutched his memory stone, a piece of his house that he kept in his pocket, as a way to keep Yemen in his heart.Saliman and the Memory Stone is a fictionalization of the real emigration of hundreds of Yemeni Jews to Jerusalem. Saliman might be leaving home, but he will always have his memories of Yemen. And even when they are without, he is reminded that he has everything he needs in his heart and in his community.

An AJL Fall 2025 Holiday Highlight!STARRED REVIEW: "A first purchase for libraries building collections around Jewish history, refugee experiences, and stories of resilience for young readers."—School Library Journal"Highly recommended" —The Jewish Book Council"An enjoyable, inspiring story"—The Historical Novel Society"A worthwhile addition to all children’s library collections...a glimmer of optimism in painful times." —Association of Jewish LibrariesBased on the history of Jewish refugees in Asia and spanning multiple years during World War II, this picture book shows how some creativity, adaptability, and a lot of love can make the new year sweet no matter where you are.Lily's family ran a pastry shop in Vienna. Every Rosh Hashanah, they baked honey cakes for their customers. But when war comes, they must leave everything behind. They first travel to Shanghai, where they are able to open a new bakery. Each year, Lily learned more about baking. She helped to mix and pour the batter, measure the ingredients, and passed out the wrapped up treats. But each year, there are changes. When the flour runs out, they have to use rice instead. There were fewer customers, and the newspaper wrappings were showing bad news.Soon, Lily's family has to move again, to Hong Kong. With rations there was even less than usual. There would be no honey cake this year. But Lily had been watching how her parents had made do in the years before, and she had some ideas of her own. Because despite all the changes, everyone deserves to have a sweet new year.