1st & 2nd Grade Books > Malka, a Queen in Jerusalem

Malka, a Queen in Jerusalem

By Tami Shem-Tov & Rachella Sandbank / Illustrated by Avi Ofer / Publisher: Keter Books

Distribution: 40,000 copies in Febuary 2017

An imaginary tale taking place in Jerusalem in the early twentieth century. Malka (a girl’s name, and Hebrew for ‘queen’) wants to dress up as a queen for Purim. A wondrous encounter with the artist Boris Schatz, the founder of Betzalel Art Academy, makes her wish come true. A story of friendship and bonding that introduces children to a chapter in the cultural and artistic history of modern Israel.

Family Activities

This story is about making dreams come true: Malka dreamed of a Purim costume, and Boris Schatz dreamed of opening an art school in the Land of Israel. Malka, a Queen in Jerusalem introduces readers to Boris Schatz, the founder of Bezalel Art School, and shows them just how powerful arts and faith ...

Read More   

Classroom Activities

Malka, a Queen in Jerusalem

By Tami Shem-Tov & Rachella Sandbank

Illustrated by Avi Ofer

Dear Parents,

This story is about making dreams come true: Malka dreamed of a Purim costume, and Boris Schatz dreamed of opening an art school in the Land of Israel. Malka, a Queen in Jerusalem introduces readers to Boris Schatz, the founder of Bezalel Art School, and shows them just how powerful arts and faith can be.

Enjoy reading the story!

Who was the Bezalel Art School named after?

Boris Schatz named the Bezalel Art School after the artist in charge of building the tabernacle, mishkan, in the desert. Bezalel son of Uri was tasked with designing the tabernacle, creating the holy vessels, and making the priests' clothes.

He is described as a "wise-hearted" man, filled with "the spirit of G-d in wisdom and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship" (Exodus 31:3). 

פעילות בחיק המשפחה

  • Many children like to dress up, and not just on Purim! You may enjoy making costumes using clothes, scarves, and other accessories found at home, and have a family costume party.
  • Do you remember any special childhood Purim costumes? Perhaps you also got dressed up as King Achashverosh or Queen Esther? You may want to share those memories with your child. You could look through old photo albums, and be reminded of costumes worn in the past by parents, siblings and children.
  • There are many children nowadays who also need Purim costumes. Do you have any costumes you no longer need at home? You could donate them or have a give 'n' take second-hand costume fair in your school or neighborhood.
  • Malka discovers artists practicing various kinds of art at the Bezalel building: weaving, jewelry-making, and painting. What kind of arts does your child enjoy engaging in? In the story, each painter paints Malka a little differently. You may want to make portraits of your own family members. Do you also find it difficult not to move? Do you recognize yourselves in the portraits you painted?
  • You should encourage your child to dream, and dream big! You may want to ask your child what their dreams are, and share with them a dream that you have made come true, or perhaps in one you still hope to make true someday. Perhaps, like Malka and Boris, your dreams will also come true!
  • The streets of Israel have undergone many changes since Bezalel Art School was first opened. You may want to look at the illustrations together, and compare them to this day and age: are we still allowed to wander around outside on our own? Do you live in an area where there are still walkways without cars or traffic lights? It would be advisable to speak to your child and emphasize the fact that this story is an imaginary one. You could explain that books, as well as movies, are often unlike reality, and that in truth children must never take a walk with a stranger.
  • After you have read the story, you may want to visit a nearby art museum or gallery with your child. You could also go online and look at images from art exhibitions across the globe.
  • Bezalel Art School is well-known in Israel today, but few know the name Boris Schatz. Many people have done great things but are not remembered for them. Try to think of a person in history that you have heard of or know about, whose story you would like to share with your child. You could create a short book about this person and send it to us.

רעיונות לשילוב הספר בגן

From the Field