I would like to dedicate this book to my Dad, Brother, and Zayde and Bubbie . I appreciate my mom's loving support to honor my Jewish roots. I also thank my friend Sima Thakkar for allowing me to use her idea of "good.....girl" as my title.

STUDENT POSSSIBLE PRIOR KNOWLEDGE AND MISCONCEPTIONS

Prior Knowledge: some students may have heard of Judaism. They probably know what traditions means.

Misconceptions: learning another language is a waste of time. What it means to be multicultural. They may not know what ancestor means.

Vocabulary:

Bar/Bat Mitzavah: coming of age ceremony

Zayde: Grandpa

Mazel Tov: Congrats! Good Job

PRIOR KNOWLEDGE QUESTIONS (BEFORE READING):

What traditions do you practice in your family?

Do you need to know another language to practice the traditions in your family?

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (WHILE READING):

What is Passover?

COMPREHENSION OR APPLICATION QUESTIONS (AFTER READING):

What is the typical age for a person who becoming Bar/Bat Mitzvahed?

Would you like to visit the place your ancestors' homeland?

"Hi, my name is Rachel and this is my younger brother Jacob. We are learning Hebrew and preparing for our Bar and Bat Mitzvah. A Bar Mitzvah is for boys and a Bat Mitzvah is for girls. They are the coming of age ceremonies for 13 year olds to start taking responsibility and practicing the commandments".

Hebrew school can be so boring.

While our friends are playing.

"Dad, why do Jacob and I have to attend Hebrew school? Our friends get to play sports and have fun, but we have to spend all day at school. It does not seem fair", says Rachel.

"My dear Rachel and Jacob, at your age, I also studied Hebrew for my Bar Mitzvah and so did your Zayde. Keeping the tradition alive is a way to keep the spirit of your ancestors alive. Remember the story of Passover?"

"Passover tells the story of the Israelites being delivered out of slavery in Egypt to the Promised land. Your Zayde and his family also immigrated to the United States from Russia to seek religious freedom and a better life. You studying Hebrew and the history of your ancestors is a way to honor their struggles and hopes and carry on their faith".

"Kids, the best way to explain the significance of you studying Hebrew and getting Bar and Bat Mitzvahed is for you to see the land of your ancestors with your own eyes and hearts.

So pack your bags, we are heading to Israel." my dad said with a smile.

So, my journey to discover the beauty of my family's heritage began.