Alfie's Bark Mitzvah


By Julia Szabo

Alfie's Bark Mitzvah
 
by Shari Cohen
 
Little Five Star, 60 pages, $18
 
 
Shari Cohen has authored 14 books for children and young adults, including one called "My Dog is Jewish." For her newest title, Cohen collaborated with her neighbor, Cantor Marcelo Gindlin. The result is this charming illustrated book, which comes with a CD of children's songs custom-composed by Gindlin. 
 
In the Jewish tradition, when a child turns 13, the age of majority, he or she symbolically passes from childhood to adulthood by going through a coming-of-age ceremony called a Bar Mitzvah (for a boy) or Bat Mitzvah (for a girl). In this book, Alfie, a sweet Beagle, comes of age by passing from puppyhood to doghood. "Alfie is a great role model for kids," Cohen says. "As with most dogs, he gives without asking, cares about others, is truthful, forgiving, and has a loving soul."
 
"I was thinking of writing another story about a puppy who comes of age and has his Bark Mitzvah," Cohen adds. "If only the story could have songs attached, I thought. When Cantor Marcelo mentioned he was thinking about recording a new CD of songs for children, I knew immediately that it was 'beshert'." (Beshert is Yiddish for "meant to be.")
 
Adding yet another layer of spiritual feeling to this already feel-good project, the book's publisher has announced that it will donate 20 percent of proceeds from book sales toward RESCUE, a nonprofit in Arizona's Maricopa County that saves dogs and cats from euthanasia by matching them with loving, lifelong homes. When placing an order by phone or online, simply mention the promotion code "RESCUE."
 
 
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