Top Seven Spooky Jewish Stories

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If you have ever been a teacher in a Jewish after-school program, then you know that one of the most dreaded days in the calendar is October 31st. If the kids are present, they are distracted and fidgety and not really interested in learning Hebrew and they are probably getting dismissed early. 

Why fight the tide? Obviously, synagogues are not going to put themselves on the trick or treat route, but why not capitalize on the the interests of the children by looking to our long tradition of truly spooky stories. Here are my recommendations for spine tingling and scary Jewish stories of magic and mystery to keep your students or kids interested in something Jewish while they are distracted by the promise of more sugar than they can eat in a year. 

1. The Demons' Mistake, A Story from Chelm 

by Francine Prose and Pictures by Mark Podwal

2. Hayyim's Ghost
Retold by Eric A. Kimmel and Illustrated by Ari Binus


3.Golem
Story and Pictures by David Wisniewski



4. Built by Anglels, The Story of the Old-New Synagogue
by Mark Podwal


5. Clay Man, The Golem of Prague
A Retelling by Irene N. Watts, Illustrated by Kathryn E. Shoemaker



6. Invisible Kingdoms, 
Jewish Tales of Angels, Spirits and Demons 
Retold by Howard Schwartz, Illustrated by Stephen Fieser



7. A Time of Angels 
by Karen Hesse




These are my top seven, but you can find more spooky Jewish books for kids in the Spooky Jewish Stories section of the Jewish Kids Book Circle store on Amazon.com.

Hope you enjoyed the list. I had fun putting it together. 

Jennifer