Nurturing Child and Adolescent Spirituality: Perspectives from the World's Religious Traditions provides a forum for prominent religious scholars to examine the state of religious knowledge and theological reflection on spiritual development in childhood and adolescence. Featuring essays from thinkers representing the world's major religious traditions, the book introduces new voices, challenges assumptions, raises new questions, and broadens the base of knowledge and investment in this im...

Nondenominational, Nonsectarian, MulticulturalFrom award-winning author Sandy Eisenberg Sasso comes a new story to delight children and adults of all faiths and backgrounds.This is the magical, mythical tale of a poor village at the foot of a hill--a topsy-turvy town with no roads and no windows, where the people sneeze through tall tangled weeds and trip over rocks as big as watermelons. Surely God would help them, they decide … but how can God be found, a...

This volume analyzes historical and recent developments in female religious leadership and the larger issues shaping the scholarly debate at the intersection of gender and religious studies. Jewish activism and scholarship have been crucial in linking theology and gender issues since the early twentieth century. Academic and vocational leadership and training have had significant, concrete impact on religious communal practices and formation across the US and Europe. At the same time, thes...

Jewish Stories of Love and Marriage offers a treasury of tales that speak to the tenderness and passion, difficulties and blessings of love. Jewish tradition overflows with love stories from the Bible, Talmud, and Midrash. Folktales continue the tradition, and contemporary writers highlight the way their faith and love interweave and enrich each other.From Adam and Eve to Song of Songs, from legends of Solomon to the letters of Alfred and Lucie Dreyfus, these are stories of heartbr...

Multicultural, Nondenominational, Nonsectarian Endorsed by Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish Religious LeadersA spiritual conversation-starter for adults and children to read together."A very long time ago, when the world was new...two children walked in God's garden called Earth. One was named Cain, the other, Abel. They were the first children. The first brothers."We know the story well. But what can it mean for us—and for our children—today? Award...

A lesson in hope and faith—and learning that there are some things in life beyond our control—for every child who has worried about what comes next.Adam and Eve's very first day in the Garden of Eden was perfect—safe and unshadowed by worry, doubt, or fear. God's first two people saw morning lift the sun high in the bright sky, and they rested in the contented warmth of the peaceful afternoon.Before long, Adam and Eve realized that the sun was slipping away. First it began ...

The Rabbis of old believed that the Torah was divinely revealed and therefore contained eternal, perfect truths and hidden meaning that required elucidation. The meaning of a text was more complicated than simply reading it. And meaning changed over time. This understanding of how the Bible mystically relates to all of life is the fertile ground from which midrash emerged. "The rabbis believed that nothing in the Bible, not the choice of words or their spellings, not the order of events or...

Everyone and everything in the world has a name. What is God’s name?In poetic text and vibrant illustrations, this modern fable celebrates the diversity and, at the same time, the unity of all people.“God must have a single name this greater and more powerful than all other names.” All the people of the world set out to find God’s name … and each of the many seekers is sure that he or she alone has found the right name, the only name, for God. Fina...

A child plants a mustard seed in an empty garden. It is an itty-bitty seed. It isnt anything very specialyet.Discover the surprising potential of one small seed in The Marvelous Mustard Seed. Based on Jesus parable of the Mustard Seed, this inspiring childrens book shows young readers that one tiny seedjust like one small childcarries a world of potential. The Marvelous Mustard Seed features ethnically diverse characters, and it is ideal for children ages...

Award-winning author Sandy Eisenberg Sasso recasts the biblical tale of Cain and Abel in a way that invites adults and kids to a conversation about anger and our power to deal with it in a positive way.

In the beginning, God's garden is beautiful and peaceful, but it doesn't stay that way. Everyone has something to say! Rain brags that it's the most refreshing. Birds boast that they're the most splendid. Earthworms bluster about their busyness. Then Children come along, claiming to be the best of all. And it's only fair that the best is loved most, isn't it?

Provide comforting reassurance for a child experiencing nighttime fears and anxieties.In this creative retelling of Psalm 23, a child imagines scary shadows chasing away her sleep and peace as she reaches out to God her Comforter. Gently and imaginatively written, this story about being afraid of the dark brings the psalmist's words into a new and relatable light for children.Backmatter includes background information about Psalm 23 and encouragement and practical tips for ...