There’s a meme that pops up every so often which says something like “Teach your children to love Jesus, or the world will teach them to hate him.” I believe that’s true. I believe it’s also true that in today’s cultural climate you could also say, “Teach your children to love Israel, or the world will teach them to hate it.”

The Bible is clear. Israel is the apple of God’s eye. The Jewish people are His chosen people. The fact that they exist as a distinct people group today is a testimony to that fact. The hatred directed at Israel and the Jewish people over the last several thousand years is completely illogical. That’s how we know that it is demonically inspired.

The sad truth is there is currently a resurgence of antisemitism all around the world—even in America. The past few months our college campuses have been the scene of demonstrations that frequently call for the death of all Jewish people. And it’s clear from the interviews with the young people who are part of these demonstrations, they have no idea what they’re doing and who or what Israel really is. Their views are based on lies.

Christians are called to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6) and to understand that God has provided Israel as a home for his people (2 Samuel 7:10), the boundaries of which are defined by the first chapter of Joshua. (The current state of Israel is actually much smaller than the area defined by the Old Testament.) The Israelis would be content to peacefully coexist with their Palestinian and Arab neighbors, but constant attacks by various terrorists group make that almost impossible.

As Christians, we know what the Bible says about end times and the oppression of the Jewish people. It behooves us to remain aware and prayerful as we await the return of our Lord Jesus. We also have a responsibility as parents and grandparents to teach our children about the spiritual heritage they have through the nation of Israel. We need to foster a love of Israel by helping them see the connection between the stories of miracles and deliverance in the Old Testament and the customs and traditions still observed by Jews today.

One way we can do this is by reading about and discussing these customs with our kids. The books included here are a few suggestions, but the list is by no means exhaustive. Neither are they necessarily written from a Christian perspective. But they all provide information and talking points about Jewish culture and traditions.

For the youngest kids there are ABC and counting books. My First Jewish Baby Book: Everything You Need to Know About Being Jewish—From Afikomen to Zaydeby Julie Merberg (Downtown Bookworks, 2018) has hip illustrations that accompany snappy, rhyming text and covers quintessential foods such as bagels and brisket, rituals and holidays including Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, Shabbat, and Hanukkah, as well as important cultural references and a little Yiddish thrown in. And 1, 2, 3, Nosh With Me by Micah and Josh Siva (The Collective Book Studio, 2023) guides young readers through ten delicious foods of Jewish holidays, family gatherings, and Shabbat dinners. Both appetizing and educational, 1, 2, 3 Nosh With Me teaches basic numbers as well as traditional Jewish cuisine.

Two recent offerings from End Game Press include Mouse Malichi Discovers the Sabbath and Mouse Malichi Discovers Hanukkahby Dreama Archibald (2023) explore a variety of traditions, symbols, and foods associated with Jewish life. Pippa’s Passover Plate by Vivian Kirkfield (Holiday House, 2021) is a rhyming text that tells the story of a missing Seder plate and all the traditions of Passover. And, because no list of books on any topic is complete without a dog title, Latke, the Lucky Dog by Ellen Fischer (Kar-Ben Publishing, 2014) tells the story of Hanukkah through the eyes of a rescue dog who begins life with his new family on the first night of Hanukkah.

For your middle grade readers, you might consider a series of Advent books by Arnold Ytreeide (Kregel Publications) that includes Jotham’s Journey, Bartholomew’s Passage, Tabitha’s Travels, Ishtar’s Odyssey, Amon’s Secret, and Amon’s Adventure. The books are divided into short chapters for each day of Advent, giving families the opportunity to create a seasonal tradition of storytelling in their home. And a Newbery winner from 1997 (Clarion Books) is The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare explores the emotional journey of a young Jewish boy filled with hatred and a desire for revenge until he meets a traveling carpenter named Jesus of Nazareth.

In the New Testament, Paul tells us how our faith in Jesus Christ allows us to be grafted into God’s chosen people. (Romans 11) Teaching our kids about the Jewish roots of their faith helps them understand who they are as believers and encourages a love for the Jewish people.

Wendy Hinote Lanier is a former elementary teacher, a certified public speaker, and the award-winning author of more than 50 books for children on topics related to science, technology, social studies, and the arts including the Christopher Award winning The Dog That Gave My Brother Words and the Moonbeam Gold Medal and Selah Award winning Too Many Pigs in the Pool.

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