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The Storyteller's Beads

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The Storyteller's Beads The Storyteller’s Beads By Jane Kurtz Book Club Guide by Irit Eliav Levin, MSW This book club guide is designed to be used by parent-child book clubs. At the end of the guide, you will find activities that your book club can do together. Some book clubs may choose to create one session for answering questions and another for doing one or more of the activities provided in this guide. Feel free to use as much or as little of the guide as is helpful to your club! Historical Context The Beta-Israel have been living in Ethiopia for centuries. In the 1980s, persecution mounted and it became unsafe for the Jews to stay there. In 1984, Operation Moses successfully brought somewhere between 6,000-8,000 Ethiopian Jews to Israel. Additional airlifts continued with Operation Joshua, Operation Sheba, and Operation Solomon which helped bring tens of thousands of Ethiopian Jews to Israel. Today, an estimated 125,000 Ethiopian Jews are living in Israel. 1. How do you think the Beta-Israel were able to maintain their tradition for so many generations? 2. What differences do you think exist between the way they practice Judaism and the way that you practice? 3. How much do you think the Beta-Israel knew about the other Jews around the world? What do you think they would have thought of Jewish traditions in many lands? 4. How do you think the Beta-Israel felt when they got to Israel and learned about some of these differences? How do you think the Israelis felt upon seeing the traditions of the Beta-Israel? 1 5. Why do you think such harsh rumors were spread about the Beta-Israel - that they turned into hyenas and could stop crops from growing? What other rumors have been spread about Jews over time? 6. To see some of the historical context, watch this video on The Jews of Ethiopia. General Discussion Questions 1. Many of the characters in this book are very afraid of strangers. What do you think led to this fear? 2. The Beta-Israel were not allowed to own land. Many minority groups face similar restrictions around the world. What does land represent? Why do you think people in power want to restrict who has access to land? 3. Sahay’s uncle tells her that they are in more danger from other humans than from any animal. Why do you think people are so cruel to one another at times? 4. Sahay’s uncle does not believe the rumors about the Beta-Israel because he has done business with many of them. How can interacting with people who are different from us help to reduce stereotypes and fear? One group working on this is called SlimPeace which brings Israelis and Palestinians together to partner on weight loss goals. What do you think of this project? 5. The girls who walk by Rahel call her “no one” because she is blind. Too often, people with disabilities are disregarded or ignored by others. How can we be more welcoming and inclusive in our communities? 6. Grandmother teaches Rahel the saying that “one stone is enough against fifty clay pots.” What do you think of that expression? What does it teach you about the power of one person? 7. Were you surprised to learn that Sahay’s family also prayed to Jerusalem? What did you think when you first learned that information? 8. Sahay’s uncle teachers her “wherever misfortune comes, people look for someone to blame.” Do you think that is true? 9. The Beta-Israel believe that once they get to Jerusalem they will wear white and pray all day. What do you think life will really be like for them? 10. Why do you think the government didn’t want people to leave Ethiopia? 11. Rahel says that her mother gave her butter as a baby “to make her voice soft and respectful.” What do you think of this idea? Can food shape your personality? 2 12. When Sahay nearly faints, one woman walks by and says “no one must fall behind.” Dawit offers her water to help her regain her strength. Why do you think the first woman does not offer any help? Why do you think Dawit does? 13. Why is Sahay worried about drinking “falasha water?” Why can’t she accept the kindness being offered to her? 14. Rahel plays the flute to calm the group. Why do you think music is so comforting? 15. The women showed tremendous courage by staying still when ordered to move by the Sudanese soldiers. In the end, their resistance worked and the soldiers rode away. How can you work against those who are oppressing others? 16. Rahel says that the camp doesn’t smell like a mother of shelter. How do you imagine a mother of shelter would smell? 17. Sahay says “perhaps God really did bake your people and my people in the same batch.” What do you think of that idea? How would the world be different if people recognized ways in which we are all “made the same?” 18. Sahay calls the airplanes they board “a great silver fish” and later an “iron bird.” What would you think if you were seeing an airplane for the first time? 19. For many of the airplanes that brought people to Israel, all of the seats were removed so that they could bring as many people as possible to safety. Can you imagine traveling on an airplane this way? 20. Sahay feels guilty for hiding when Waldu went to help. What do you think of her choice? 21. How do you think the Beta Israel felt when they arrived in Jerusalem? 22. Even today, many passengers on airplanes arriving in Israel burst into song, excited about visiting our homeland. Why do you think their reaction is so strong? Personal Reflections 1. Sahay and Rahel are both sad to leave the only homes they have ever known. Grandmother tells Rahel to take a piece of pottery with her to stay connected to the earth of her home. What would you take if you were traveling to a new place? 2. Sahay hopes that her father’s walking stick will give her strength. Do you have anything that once belonged to someone you loved? What does seeing that object help you remember? 3. Sahay and Rahel both feel a strong sense of connection to their people. Who do you consider to be “your people?” (You might have more than one group). What makes you feel connected to them? 4. Sahay hopes that God will send an answer to her prayers. Have you ever felt like God answered your prayers? Why or why not? 3 5. Rahel wishes she could drink from the river of courage. What are some ways you find courage in your own life? 6. Grandmother gives Rahel her necklace with the storyteller’s beads. Do you have a piece of jewelry from an ancestor? If so, share the story of that item. 7. Grandmother teaches Rahel “in some people it is in their nature to be kind.” Do you think this is true? Can you share examples of kind people you have met in your life? What are some ways you could be more kind to others? 8. The priest taught that “this place that felt like home could never truly be home.” What do you think makes a place a home? 9. Many governments have forced men to become soldiers. What would you do if that happened to someone you loved? How would you feel? 10. Rahel often talks about things the house is “saying.” If your home could speak, what do you think it would say? 11. It is very brave of Rahel to offer to stay with her grandmother. Why do you think she makes that choice? What is the bravest thing you’ve ever done? 12. Rahel’s grandmother responds to her plea come to Israel with “even an old woman and a girl would be missed if we did not go to Jerusalem.” Where would you be missed if you chose not to participate? 13. Rahel is scared as she starts her journey to Jerusalem. When was the last time you felt scared? Were you able to overcome your fears? If so, how? 14. Rahel is sad when she must leave behind the pot that grandmother made. She says that now “only the stories are left.” Have you ever lost someone you love? What stories do you like to share about them? 15. Often at a shiva minyan, people will share stories about the person who has passed away. Many times, these stories evoke strong emotions - from tears to laughter at funny memories. How does storytelling help us to remember? How does it help us to heal? How does it bring us together? 16. Rahel says that “all people need someone who will go with them and not leave them all alone on the path.” Who are the people you count on in your life? Who are the people that count on you? How can you help others who feel alone? 17. Rahel is eager in the camp to find the place where she belongs. Where do you feel you most belong? What makes you feel that way? 18. What do you think of the idea of mahala? Are there people in your life who are like family, even if they are not blood relatives? 19. Have you ever visited Jerusalem? What was that experience like for you? 20.
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