THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

An opening triolet poem by Lesléa Newman retells the Hanukkah story in eight lines, setting the stage for the stories to come.

Sixteen acclaimed authors offer their varied perspectives on this joyous holiday of light and miracles. The common thread weaving through the entries is the celebration of Jewish religious and cultural traditions. Recurring themes include passing down recipes, uncovering family secrets, testing and forming friendships, dealing with loss, encountering paranormal spirits, and navigating complex family histories that shape the present. Many stories delve into the nuances of Jewish identity, in times of both crisis and joy, addressing issues such as bullying, grief, good deeds, and quintessential Hanukkah traditions, like eating potato pancakes, lighting candles, and playing dreidel. The collection is touching, funny, awkward, food-centric, and sometimes painful, collectively illustrating that Judaism is not a monolith. Ashkenazi and Sephardic families are highlighted, with featured backgrounds spanning Polish, Irish, Moroccan, Russian, and Ukrainian origins. The main characters are mostly white Jewish middle schoolers. While there are clearly more stories to be told, this anthology serves as an accessible introduction to a range of Jewish experiences. Variability in plot and character development make some of the entries flatter and more one-dimensional, limiting the anthology’s potential to attract wide audiences, however. Still, the chance to read about celebration and coming together is invaluable.

An overall positive reading experience despite some inconsistencies in quality.