New Children’s Book Brings Civic Responsibility to Crown Heights Children

In honor of the new year, the Jewish Future Alliance (JFA) mailed a new children’s book to 4,000 families across Crown Heights in time for Rosh Hashanah.

The book, the first in a planned series, follows a young Shlucha visiting her cousin in Crown Heights, where she takes the school bus to Bais Rivkah for the first time. Along the way, the story introduces young readers to how government and civic participation affect everyday life, from publicly funded school transportation to the importance of voting, which the Rebbe strongly encouraged.

“Our goal is to introduce these ideas to children in a simple, positive and age-appropriate way, while remaining firmly guided by Torah and Chassidishe values,” said JFA founder Yaacov Behrman.

While developing the book, Behrman repeatedly read the story to his own children and refined it based on their questions and reactions. The book was also shared with mashpiim and Rabbanim to ensure its message and hashkafah were appropriate.

JFA hopes the book will give parents an opportunity to discuss with their children how responsible participation in society can help bring more goodness and light into the world and hasten the coming of Moshiach.

The story was deliberately set in Crown Heights, using familiar places and experiences to make its message more relatable and meaningful for local children. Research shows that children connect more strongly with ideas when they are presented through familiar settings and experiences.

A video version of the book has also been released for families to watch and enjoy together.