This book was a delight to read! I learned about historical figures I'd never heard of & several people in the present day whose work I'd like to follow. The authors explained Jewish values in easy-to-understand language, didn't shy away from criticism when warranted, and highlighted a diverse range of Jewish people. I've already recommended it to several friends, especially friends who are Jews of color.

My one frustration was that there was no one highlighted who is anti-Zionist and doing work to support displaced Palestinian populations in the diaspora or in occupied Palestine.

This was a fantastic book. Beautifully written and illustrated. This belongs on every library shelf. I would highly recommend this to any collection. Well done.

*What Jewish Looks Like*, compiled by Liz Kleinrock and Caroline Kusin Pritchard, is a groundbreaking anthology that redefines Jewish identity by showcasing thirty-six diverse heroes from various fields. This collection challenges stereotypes with profiles of individuals ranging from Paralympians to activists, each illustrating the rich and varied ways Jewishness can manifest. With accessible primers on Jewish history, a map, and inspiring quotes, the book celebrates the multifaceted nature of Jewish identity and the significant impact these figures have made in their communities. It’s a powerful testament to the diverse ways Jewish people contribute to the world and enrich our understanding of identity.

An absolutely wonderful and enlightening book that belongs in every Jewish household. It will go a long way towards challenging the "you don't look Jewish" assumptions that still exist.
As the mother of biracial adult Jewish kids, I really wish this book had existed when my two were growing up. It would have been so helpful and reassuring. And as an adult, I was fascinated by the individual bios in the book--many of whom were new to me. So, it's a book that works for everyone in the family.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this wonderful and important book. It's the perfect holiday gift for any Jewish family!

I was very excited for this premise, and I love this unique view of Jewish representation. However, I do feel like the book isn’t totally sure what it wants to be. It looks like a picture book, but it has paragraphs-long bios.

This book has stunning artwork and a wide variety of subjects focused on across the various sections - everything from young, current-day activists and celebrities to Jewish figures stretching back hundreds of years. I wanted to read this book to see how it could fit into my library's collection and to read about how a book that focuses on being Jewish handles sensitive and timely topics that we're seeing play out on television and social media today. To publish a book in 2024 and have no mention of how Zionism impacts the Jewish community today seemed like a very intentional choice, same with having one of the biographies include Israel then Palestine as birth place when this particular subject was born before Israel was even a state.

For the most part this book meet my expectations, although I was surprised to have one of the bios include a man that's been controversial in the art world for quite some time when Maurice Sendak and Stephen Sondheim were options provided right in the end notes. I wouldn't not suggest this book, but I just had higher hopes for it overall!

This wonderful nonfiction book is a testament to the global contributions by the very tiny percentage of the global population known as Jews. Whether one is a Jew by birth or by conviction one is generally known in a hyphenated identity. Jewish-American, Jewish-Ethiopian, Jewish-Korean, Jewish-Brazilian and more. Being Jewish is being part of a family who is mindful of caring for others and promoting what is correct, not the color of hair or skin. The individuals used as examples in this book are outstanding representatives of that family.
Iris Gottlieb (Illustrator) has done a great job of creating smiling likenesses of each person.
I requested and received a free temporary EARC on Adobe Digital Editions from HarperCollins Children's Books | HarperCollins via NetGalley. Thank you!

This wonderful book is aimed at children (8-12 years) but is worth checking out by adults as well. What Jewish Looks Like celebrates the wide variety of people who identify as Jews. The authors highlight 36 Jewish people from all over the world and from many different centuries as well. I was delighted to read about people I had never heard of before! For each of the people featured here, there’s a short bio and a beautiful illustration. There are also interesting sidebars with historical and cultural tidbits, as well as information on several community organizations, from the National Council of Jewish Women to newer groups like Keshet and the Jews of Color Initiative

Among the fascinating people profiled here are names you may recognize:
Harvey Milk, Itzhak Perlman, Sue Bird, Michael Twitty, Daveed Diggs, Sammy Davis Jr., Emma Lazarus, Marlee Matlin, Stephen Sondheim.

Some of the new-to-me people who intrigued me are:
Naomi Wadler, youth activist, born in Ethiopia, grew up in Virginia
August Bondi, 19th century abolitionist, born in Vienna, lived in Kansas
Raquel Montoya-Lewis, Washington (state) Supreme Court
Ezra Frech, Paralympic athlete
Anish Kapoor, sculptor
Oznat Barzani, 17th century (female) rabbi, Kurdistan (now Iraq)
Victor “Young” Perez, born in Tunisia, boxed in France
Rita Levi-Montalcini, Italian scientist, winner of the Nobel Prize in Medicine
Baru Benacerraf, Venezuelan immunologist
Doña Gracia Nasi, Portuguese 16th century philanthropist
Uri Ben Baruch, Ethiopian religious leader
Abby Chava Stein, transgender activist and rabbi

This book reminds me a lot of the lovely books from Rebel Girls, which give a short bio of someone along with a beautiful illustration.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I feel very torn on this book. On one hand, I really liked the diverse group of Jewish people this book highlighted. Obviously, that was the point -- to show that Jewish people come from everywhere and have a variety of interests and are activists for various causes, but it was still really great to see that the book was actually about what it was being marketed as. However, I would have liked to see more denouncing of Zionism in this book (especially when a lot of the bios had "Israel formerly Palestine" listed as their home country. It just felt icky (and I really don't know how to put all of my thoughts about this issue into words) and I also know that the point is that not everyone has an opinion on the conflict, it just seemed worth noting in this book.

All children (and sometimes adults) yearn to see themselves reflected in the world around them. While many can easily find representation in media and literature, those who belong to multiple minority groups often face a significant challenge. What Jewish Looks Like by Liz Kleinrock and Caroline Kusin Pritchard is a groundbreaking book that addresses this critical need.

This inspiring collection introduces readers to 36 Jewish heroes from diverse backgrounds, shattering stereotypes and expanding the definition of Jewish identity. From the familiar faces of musicians Itzhak Perlman and Sammy Davis Jr. to lesser-known figures like Trans activist Jazz Jennings and chef-historian Michael Twitty, the book showcases the rich tapestry of the Jewish community.

Beyond individual profiles, What Jewish Looks Like explores the broader Jewish experience through community spotlights, highlighting various organizations and initiatives. By presenting Jewish life in all its complexity and diversity, the authors create a powerful and inclusive narrative that resonates with readers of all ages.

This book is a must-have for libraries and schools worldwide. It not only celebrates Jewish heritage but also promotes empathy, understanding, and acceptance. What Jewish Looks Like is a beacon of hope, demonstrating that belonging and representation are essential for every child.

This book is phenomenal as a resource and a delight to read. From explaining terms in a style younger people can understand to showcasing diverse individuals who are Jewish, and what they’ve accomplished, this is an important must read. It should be in every library and on the bookshelves of every young person and adult regardless of religion.

No, this book by Liz Kleinrock and Caroline Kusin Pritchard doesn’t concern the age-old (if tedious) question of “Who is a Jew?” Instead, this enchanting picture book is chockful of heroes and celebrities that folks might not know are Jewish.

The book does contain the obvious: Itzhak Perlman, Emma Lazarus, Maurice Sendek, Stephen Sondheim, Harvey Milk and Sammy Davis Jr. But Kleinrock and Pritchard also include abolitionist August Bondi, actor Tracee Ellis Ross, Hamilton star Daveed Diggs, chef and cookbook author Michael Twitty, Taika Waititi (director of JoJo Rabbit), African-American rabbi Sandra Lawson, trans activist Jazz Jennings, Maya Rudolph, flyweight boxing champion Victor Perez, rapper Doja Cat and so, so many more! In other words, Jews aren’t all curly-haired brunet Europeans who live in either Israel or the United States! Kleinrock and Pritchard include Jews from all over the world and across centuries.

Will Jewish kids love this book? Of course! But this labor of love is for anyone, young or old, Jewish or gentile. Kudos also to Iris Gottlieb for some wonderful illustrations.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley, and HarperCollins Children’s Books in exchange for an honest review. And, also in the interest of full disclosure, I didn’t beat the book.

Finally, diversity in Jewish representation!!

In the West, and especially in America, there's a very singular view of what a Jewish person is. Our ethnic and cultural backgrounds are almost always assumed to be Ashkenazi. Everyone else is almost always ignored. Or talked about as if they're a footnote. I loved the inclusion of BIPOC Jews a lot and seeing myself reflected in this book via non-white / non-white-passing Jews filled my heart :)

I love that we get to see all different kinds of people who are Jewish and learn more about them.
This book is very informative and will be a great addition to any library.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

Absolutely loved this collection of biographies & some historical info mixed in along with fun facts and beautiful colors. A must read!