Like a real scrapbook, this volume is stuffed with photographs and captions. The photos vary widely in quality from amateur snapshots to professional photography. Synagogues and congregants from across America (and a few from other countries) are shown during prayer, study, and celebration. Topics covered include the functions of synagogues, ritual objects, who we see in synagogue (notably absent are librarians!), what people do, wear, and eat there, and even some of the greetings that are used on special days such as Shana Tova, Chag Sameach, etc. Each section asks readers to add their own thoughts or drawings. Although mostly white Jews populate the photos, goofy multi-ethnic Jewish cartoon children decorate the pages to provide a touch of inclusiveness.
Oversimplified text and wide-open questions make this a book that will be most useful with guidance from an adult. The workbook- like design and many blanks to fill in make it a poor choice for libraries, but it may be useful in religious school classrooms or in the homes of active congregants. The dress style of the people in the photographs makes the book most appropriate in non- Orthodox settings. For ages 4 – 8.
