Mabel's Mitzvah

An intergenerational friendship between a girl and her older neighbor showcases courage in kindness and the value of building community

Mabel’s Mitzvah is a warm, funny, and deeply relatable picture book that celebrates kindness, empathy, and the courage it takes to reach out. With Mitzvah Day right around the corner, Mabel Maguire is determined to find the perfect good deed to help her class win a prize. She notices her neighbor, Mrs. Horowitz, always seems to be alone. Is Mrs. Horowitz lonely? Mabel thinks befriending the older woman would be the perfect mitzvah.

What follows is an authentic, intergenerational friendship that blossoms slowly and sweetly. Through small acts of care—a gift of baked goods, a scraggly bouquet of flowers, and simple time together— Mabel breaks through Mrs. Horowitz’s defenses. As their afternoons fill with shared stories and chocolate rugelach, both discover that the connection they’re building is far more meaningful than any Mitzvah Day prize.

Mabel’s Mitzvah

-Tells the story of a young girl who befriends her older neighbor, inspired by the author’s daughter and a neighbor
-Encourages children to consider the importance of kindness, empathy, courage, and community
-Highlights the beauty of bringing joy to others through mitzvot, an important Jewish value
-Includes a note from the author, ideas for doing mitzvot, and a rugelach recipe

A seed of kindness grows into a beautiful friendship in this heartfelt story that reminds readers of all ages that reaching out can change everything.