CONTACT: Lee Stein, aliza@galigirls.com (201) 862-1989
MEET SHOSHANA LEVY, ONE OF THE ORIGINAL JEWISH SETTLERS OF NIEUW YORK IN 1662
THE NEWEST CHARACTER IN THE GALI GIRLS JEWISH HISTORY SERIES
Third book and doll for Gali Girls’ Jewish Historical line explores the origin and development of the first Jewish community in the U.S. in 1662.
TEANECK, N.J. (April 15, 2007) – Shoshana is the 11 year old daughter of Akiva Levy – the man who fought for the rights of Jews to sell goods, own property, and participate in local government in Nieuw Amsterdam; the city that was later to be renamed New York. The Levy family escaped persecution by fleeing from occupied Brazil and heading for Amsterdam when fate chose an alternative route, challenging them with pirates and peril and the quest to regain a home. Shoshana is the second in a series of books and dolls that teach young Jewish girls about Jewish values and Jewish history.
Shoshana and the Native Rose, written by award-winning author Robin Levinson, describes in colorful detail the struggle of 23 supplanted Jews to establish themselves in North America, despite the leadership’s wish to the contrary. We then learn about Shoshana, whom, as she approaches her 12th birthday, wishes for nothing more than to see a real rose – the beautiful flower after which she is named. Her search leads her to a chance encounter with a Native American girl named Ogee and the two become fast friends, learning how to communicate with each other and about each girl’s respective traditions and practices. This newfound friendship creates friction in the Levy family and when a dangerous accident occurs, these two cultures are forced to come together to save a leader of the community. Information on Jewish religious practices and holidays and Native American culture and customs are also woven into this tale.
A beautiful 18-inch Shoshana doll will also be available, complete with a pair of matching Star-of-David bracelets, a 10 piece wooden toy Shabbat kit, and Shoshana birth certificate. Dressed in a light blue gingham dress with a white lace mob cap and matching colonial style shoes, Shoshana also comes with a pink ‘rose’ and colored glass stones in a pretty gold pouch.
Shoshana and the Native Rose, book and doll, will be available in April 2007 through www.galigirls.com and major Judaica retailers throughout the U.S. A lesson plan will be available to religious and public school teachers who wish to use the book as an educational tool, and author Robin Levinson will be visiting schools to read the story to children and engage them in an exciting and thought provoking discussion about Jewish communities throughout the world.
For review copies of Shoshana and the Native Rose, or further information about the origin and development of the Gali Girls doll line or book series, please call Lee Stein at (201) 862-1989.
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Shoshana and the Native Rose
Author: Robin K Levinson
Illustrator: Drusilla Kehl
100 pages, full-color illustrations
Juvenile Historical Fiction/Judaica
Ages 7 and up
$12.00 ISBN: 0-9773673-2-0
PUB DATE: April, 2007
