PRIVATE JOEL MOUNTAIN SEDER

by Bryna J. Fireside
illustrated by Shawn Costello

The Civil War was underway, and Private J.A. Joel and his company were camped out in West Virginia. Passover was two weeks away, and he and his fellow Jewish soldiers were homesick

With permission from their commander and matzah brought in on a train from Cincinnati, the group went to work. Using cider for wine, carrot tops for parsley, and a brick to symbolize charoset, the soldiers improvised a seder to remember.

The participation of three former slaves, now members of their regiment, lent a special poignancy to this celebration of freedom. Inspired by a true story.

"Attractive, heavily-textured, full-color paintings adorn the story, written in a light, lively style...an excellent addition to the genre." –AJL Newsletter