Jewish Kids Ask the Darndest Things

JEWISH Kids ASK the Darndest Things is based on the observation that "JEWISH Kids" seem to have an extra "Why?" chromosome, which manifests itself as they listen to, and emulate, their parents and religious school teachers -- familiar names in the Who's Who of Why? Why? This Art Linkletteresque compilation of quotable questions is uttered by some of the youngest mouths, from a community of children connected to one of the world's oldest peoples. Nonetheless, many of the questions have universal appeal The "kid-bits" in this book run the gamut from the innocent, to the insightful, to the hysterical. The children's questions are grouped as: Biblical & Liturgical; Mathematical; Holy Days, Holidays & Vacations; Serious Worries & Matters; Romantic; Linguistic; Colorful & Bright; Clean & Innocent; The Human Body; and Authority Figures. The children's expressiveness evokes big smiles, sometimes a lump in the throat, but mostly the gift of laughter

Ilene Munetz Pachman, a retired synagogue preschool teacher, is a children's book author and freelance writer. Her picture book, Like a Knot in My Shoelace/A Yahrzeit Remembrance, was published by the United Synagogue Commission on Jewish Education. She has penned two more picture books, A Parrot for the Bride and Chuckle- Choo (Mirror publishing). Her piece A Child Survivor and Her Hero, is included in Chicken Soup for the Soul/Stories for a Better World. Ilene's work has appeared in the Washington Post, the (Philadelphia) Jewish Exponent, the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Palm Beach Post and Jewish periodicals throughout the United States. She was the "Motherhood" columnist, for five years, for the (former Philadelphia) Jewish Times. In addition, Ilene was the primary national advocate of the Raoul Wallenberg (Christian Holocaust hero) U.S. commemorative postage stamp. Ilene lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, close to their two children and two grandchildren.