An Old Pair of Shoes / Ronit Chacham
Illustrations: Masha Manapov
Mr. Minasa can't get rid of the old shoes that traveled with him to Israel from a faraway country. Each time he tries to throw the shoes away, they are returned to him! Israeli children's author Ronit Chacham wrote this humorous Ethiopian rendition of a folktale that deals with tradition, heritage, and aliya to the Land of Israel.
The Lord said to Abram, "Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you." (Genesis 12:1)
Throughout the generations, Jews have wandered from country to country, each time finding ways to fit into their new home. Many Israeli families today originated in different countries around the world. Like Mr. Minasa, they brought with them distant traditions, culture, and language to be woven into their new lives in Israel.
ቤተ እስራኤል - Beta Israel: The Ethiopian Jewish Community
"An Old Pair of Shoes" is a children's rendition of a folk-tale, told to the author Ronit Chacham by Yashito Amsalo, an Ethiopian immigrant who in turn heard it from her family. The Beta Israel community lived in Ethiopia for generations and clung stubbornly to their Jewish traditions and customs. Most members of the community immigrated to Israel en masse in covert operations carried out in the 1980's and 1990's, following a long and arduous journey by foot across the desert.
1. Noa is very attached to the old doll that her grandmother made for her, but also likes new dolls and toys. You can ask your children which dolls and toys they like in particular, and remind them who gave them the gifts and under which circumstances.
2. Mr. Minasa tried to get rid of his old shoes when he arrived in the new country. You can play an imaginary game with your children: If you were leaving for a faraway place, what would you take with you and what would you leave behind?
3. Like Grandmother Agarnesh, you too can craft a hand-made doll for your child, using old socks and clothing. You are invited to send us a photograph of the doll, which we will happily post on the Sifriyat Pijama website!
4. Mr. Minasa arrived in the new country from Ethiopia. Where did your family originate? This is an opportunity to share your personal immigrant story with your children, and show them photographs of the old country. Perhaps you too have old bjects or clothing that you can search for together.
5. Mr. Minasa's neighbors recognized his old shoes and returned them to him. Did you ever find something and return it to its owner? Was the owner happy to receive the lost object?
6. You can act out the story with your children. Each one in turn takes on the role of Mr. Minasa and looks for places around the house to hide the shoes. The other player finds them and declares, "Oh, here are Mr. Minasa's old shoes!"