From Publishers Weekly
In 1654, the first Jews arrived in New Amsterdam—later to become New York City—as refugees from the Inquisition in Brazil, and the 350th anniversary of the arrival of Jews in the United States is being marked with celebrations and books in 2004. This volume is less ambitious than the similar From Haven to Home, but it’s more affordably priced and it’s handsomely illustrated with photos and ritual objects from the collection of the venerable Jewish Museum in New York City. Rubin, a writer of notable books for children (Searching for Anne Frank; Margaret Bourke-White), makes history personal by focusing on individuals and families—some well known, some not—who exemplify the wide-ranging experiences of Jews in America: Haym Solomon and Abraham Cohen supported the American Revolution; Joseph Jonas, the first Jew to settle in Cincinnati, represents the move west; Rose Schneiderman, pictured at her sewing machine, is one of the host of immigrants who worked in the oppressive garment factories. Works by artists Ben Shahn, Jacob Epstein and George Segal illuminate the history and culture of Jewish America; a Yiddish patriotic poster supporting WWI shows how Jews identified with the American cause. So intertwined have "Jewish" and "American" become in many Jews’ minds that one historian, Shalom Goldman, of Emory University says, "I grew up thinking that Thanksgiving was somehow a Jewish holiday…" Anyone who identifies with that statement will take pleasure in this volume.Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From School Library Journal
Grade 5 Up - A beautifully produced and illustrated book. Rubin focuses on particular individuals to show how European immigrants have found ways to be both Jewish and American. Though there are some experiences that reflect the tension between the religious and the secular world, the tone of the book is upbeat. The author does not provide a history, but uses a series of vignettes connected by a basic chronological narrative. For instance, the chapter "Jews in the American Revolution" focuses on Haym Salomon and does not discuss general Jewish attitudes toward the Revolution, or ideas about Jews that were held by members of the Revolutionary movement. Rubin is meticulous in her use and crediting of quotations, and they contribute to the text's liveliness and immediacy. Some of the most interesting vignettes are about Jewish cowboys and pioneers. The illustrations include paintings, photographs, and maps. Artifacts from the Jewish Museum are shown and matched to the text in terms of period, but they do not always relate to or amplify the narrative. Although Rubin attempts to show the diversity of American Jewry by focusing on African-American Jews and an Iranian Jew, one noticeable omission is feminism and its impact on Jewish life in America. L'Chaim is more likely to enjoy success as a gift book rather than as a resource for research. It could, however, be a jumping-off point for more serious reading, especially if students use the extensive bibliography, which has useful notations for adult books that are appropriate for younger readers. - Sue Giffard, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, New York City Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
Gr. 7-9. Among those disembarking in New Amsterdam in 1654 were a group of Jews, who, like their fellow immigrants, left their homes in search of religious freedom. They found harsh treatment here at first; Peter Styvesant branded them second-class citizens. But they also discovered a land rich in opportunity--350 years of it--which Rubin celebrates in this exceptionally attractive package, packed with quotes, personal stories, and photos of art from The Jewish Museum. That's a lot of history to take in, and, consequently, it's hard not to feel rushed as one reads. Then, too, because this honors Jewish contributions and successes, individuals such as mobster Meyer Lansky and the Rosenbergs, whose actions had a huge impact on American Jews, are left out of the mix. There's no denying, though, that the art is gorgeous, and Rubin, as always, writes with clarity and enthusiasm. This may be a selective history, but it's a good one, and it brings to light a wealth of information not readily available to younger readers. Notes for the many direct quotes and picture credits are appended. Stephanie Zvirin
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Book Description
Published in association with The Jewish MuseumCoinciding with the 350th anniversary of the first recorded Jewish settlement in North America, this lavishly illustrated introduction to Jewish life is a compilation of compelling first-person reports and well-documented facts. Brimming with photographs, paintings, memorabilia, and other artifacts from the renowned Jewish Museum and other sources, and with text by award-winning author Susan Rubin, this book provides readers with a wide range of examples of North American Jewish life all across the U.S. and Canada. This book continues the growing library of Abrams' high-quality, award-winning, and accessible Judaic-content books. AUTHOR BIO: Susan Goldman Rubin is the author of many acclaimed books for children on creative figures, among them Degas, Van Gogh, Gaugin, and Steven Spielberg. Her biography of Margaret Bourke-White was named ALA Best Book for Young Adults and a Smithsonian Notable Book for Children. She lives in Malibu, California.

About the Author
Susan Goldman Rubin is the author of many acclaimed books for children on creative figures, among them Degas, Van Gogh, Gaugin, and Steven Spielberg. Her biography of Margaret Bourke-White was named ALA Best Book for Young Adults and a Smithsonian Notable Book for Children. She lives in Malibu, California.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Published in association with The Jewish MuseumCoinciding with the 350th anniversary of the first recorded Jewish settlement in North America, this lavishly illustrated introduction to Jewish life is a compilation of compelling first-person reports and well-documented facts. Brimming with photographs, paintings, memorabilia, and other artifacts from the renowned Jewish Museum and other sources, and with text by award-winning author Susan Rubin, this book provides readers with a wide range of examples of North American Jewish life all across the U.S. and Canada. This book continues the growing library of Abrams' high-quality, award-winning, and accessible Judaic-content books.

Author Bio: Susan Goldman Rubin is the author of many acclaimed books for children on creative figures, among them Degas, Van Gogh, Gaugin, and Steven Spielberg. Her biography of Margaret Bourke-White was named ALA Best Book for Young Adults and a Smithsonian Notable Book for Children. She lives in Malibu, California.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Published in association with the Jewish Museum, this celebration of "the 350th anniversary of the first recorded Jewish settlement in North America" (according to the preface) takes a sincere approach and brims with wonderful photographs, but falls short in several crucial areas. Rubin's writing comes alive, for instance, when she chronicles the involvement of Jews in the labor movement-the chapter includes compelling characters (such as redheaded Rose, a Polish immigrant, who began working in a cap factory at age 13 and helped organize Local 23) and genuine dramatic tension. But often the narrative takes on a pallid tone (e.g., "On the whole, American Jews, including those who were hardly observant, shared a desire after World War II to give their children a strong Jewish identity"). The history comes across as either stitched-together anecdotes or as grand sweeps that may not leave much of an impression on readers. And the book leaves out the ways in which Jewish children have contributed to (and are often the raison d'etre for) vibrant synagogue life (e.g., the role that summer camps, Hebrew school, youth groups and Jewish community centers have played in forging young American Jewish identities). Still, the photographs are so evocative that they almost compensate for these shortcomings. Among the highlights: an 1893 photograph of a teenage immigrant lost in a book amid the hubbub of a crowded ship headed for America, early 20th-century images of Jewish cowboys looking very much at home on the range, and a 1913 map of America spelling out each state's name phonetically in Hebrew ("Iowa" clearly tested the limits of the Hebrew alphabet). Ages 10-up. (Nov.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Children's Literature - Judy Chernak

Subtitled "Celebrating from 1654 until Today," this encyclopedic volume is a true treasure as it traces the history and culture of the Jews from their first footsteps on American soil. Published in association with The Jewish Museum on the 350th anniversary of Jewish life in America, the book begins: "Chapter 1 - 1654. In early September, 1654, the ship Sainte Catherine docked at the wharf in New Amsterdam, a Dutch town that was soon to be renamed New York. About twenty-three Jews straggled off the ship . . . men, women, and children. All were exhausted after their long, miserable voyage from Recife, formerly a Dutch colony in Brazil, where they could no longer practice their faith. Like the Pilgrims who had arrived thirty-four years earlier, they were seeking religious freedom." The next 150 pages follow the fortunes of this tiny group as they set up in trade, managed to practice their faith and customs in one way or another, married, and lived the incredible saga of a persecuted minority who, to an amazing extent, made lasting contributions to this country and the world. A wealth of gorgeous photographs are presented: marriage documents, quilts, religious articles, architecture, portraits, drawings. An amazing array of names fills its pages: Haym Solomon, the "Financier of the American Revolution;" Rebecca Gratz, founder of Jewish Sunday schools and model for the Rebecca in Sir Walter Scott's Ivanhoe; Levi Strauss, inventor of Levi jeans; Fiorello La Guardia, beloved mayor of New York City; Irving Berlin and the rest of the Tin Pan Alley composers; Emma Lazarus, whose poetry is inscribed on the Statue of Liberty; Salk and Sabin, Ben and Jerry, Sandy Koufax and Mark Spitz—thelist goes on and on. This book belongs in every home, school and library: It is difficult to imagine anyone who would not be enriched by its story. 2004, Harry N Abrams, Ages 12 up.

Kirkus Reviews