On a Chariot of Fire: The Story of India’s Bene Israel

Gr 1-4–Over a dish of malida, sweetened rice adorned with fruits and flowers, Nani Penkar shares with her granddaughter the origin story of India’s Bene Israel community. Spanning over 2,000 years, the book recounts the harrowing journey of Jewish refugees fleeing the rule of Antiochus. After a violent storm, seven men and seven women wash ashore in India, where they find refuge among locals who, though religiously different, share some similar customs and have respect for diversity. The narrative, crafted in the oral storytelling tradition, is straightforward and engaging, highlighting the resilience of the Bene Israel while blending historical and cultural elements. The illustrations, created with art markers, brush pens, colored pencils, and gouache, evoke a folkloric quality that complements the text, using blue swirls to symbolize the connection to water and the epic journey of the refugees. End notes provide valuable context about the Bene Israel and other significant Jewish communities in India, giving readers a more complete understanding of the presence of Judaism there.