A Turkish Rosh Hashanah

A Sephardic spin on New Year traditions—engaging, sensory, and rich in cultural education.

When Rafael and his cousins join their Nona at the bustling Istanbul market, they’re not just shopping for apples and leeks—they’re gathering blessings for the Jewish New Year. In A Turkish Rosh Hashanah, readers are swept into the vibrant world of a Sephardic Jewish family as they prepare a special Rosh Hashanah seder filled with symbolic foods, heartfelt wishes (yehi ratzones), and a dash of mischief.

From pomegranates said to be sweetened by song to a heroic moment with some very unexpected feline allies, this spirited tale celebrates courage, kindness, family teamwork—and the joyful diversity of global Jewish life. Rooted in centuries-old Turkish-Jewish customs and sprinkled with Ladino phrases, this story brings to life a lesser-known but deeply meaningful tradition.

With lyrical text by Etan Basseri and evocative illustrations by Zeynep Özatalay, A Turkish Rosh Hashanah is a rich and resonant holiday read for families, classrooms, and anyone eager to explore Jewish culture around the world.

A free downloadable activity guide that highlights the themes in this book is available on the Kalaniot Books website.

A Turkish Rosh Hashanah was an Association of Jewish Libraries Holiday Highlights Book and recived positive reviews from School Library Journal and Kirkus Reviews.

A free downloadable activity guide that highlights the themes in this book is available on the Kalaniot Books website.

About Kalaniot Books
Kalaniot Books is dedicated to sharing the richness and diversity of Jewish life and culture with today’s children and families. With a special focus on amplifying voices from Jewish communities around the world, Kalaniot celebrates the many ways Jewish identity is expressed—through story, song, language, and art. Every book is a window into Jewish heritage, designed to spark curiosity, connection, and pride in young readers.