By
– May 14, 2012
This slim paperback volume includes instructions for 24 Jewish origami projects, along with a black and white photograph and a brief explanation of each project’s historical and spiritual significance. The introduction provides basic information about origami and explains how Judaism can be expressed through this ancient paper folding art. The table of contents lists the projects by level (beginner, intermediate, and advanced) and by Jewish holiday (Sabbath, Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Chanukah, Purim, Passover, and Shavuot). While not nearly as attractive as Florence Temko’s Jewish Origami, Jewish Origami II and Bible Origami, which include full-color photographs and diagrams as well as origami paper, Stern’s edition is more comprehensive and content-rich — a worthwhile addition for libraries that collect Jewish craft books. For ages 8 and up.
Rachel Kamin has been a synagogue librarian and Jewish educator for over twenty-five years and has worked at North Suburban Synagogue Beth El in Highland Park, IL since 2008, currently serving as the Director of Lifelong Learning. A past chair of the Sydney Taylor Book Award Committee and past editor of Book Reviews for Children & Teens for the Association of Jewish Libraries News & Reviews, her articles and book reviews appear in numerous publications. She has been a member of the American Library Association’s Sophie Brody Book Award Committee since 2021.