Tami Lehman-Wilzig’s newest picture books share Yemenite Jewish history with young readers. ON THE WINGS OF EAGLES (Apples & Honey Press, 2025) illustrated by Alisha Monnin, follows a family as they make the daunting journey from Yemen to Israel. THE HENNA HELPER (Apples & Honey Press, 2025) illustrated by Yinon Ptahia tells the story of a young girl as she learns about the Yemenite henna ceremony. The books are perfect companions, offering insights into the unique experiences of the Yemenite community in Israel. I am happy to learn more.
Welcome back, Tami!
Your two new books, ON THE WINGS OF EAGLES and THE HENNA HELPER, both tell stories about the Jewish Yemenite community. Can you tell me a bit about what inspired your interest in these stories?
The interest began well over a decade ago when I discovered that between 1949-1950, it was Alaska Airlines that took on the daring “Operation Magic Carpet” rescue mission of 49,000 Yemenite Jews, airlifting them to safety in Israel. Alaska Airlines?!?! Who would have thought? I couldn’t believe it. Once I did the research, I knew it was a story that had to be told, especially since it was a marvelous example of the strong America-Israel bond. The Alaska Airlines pilots put their lives on the line. As my book points out, Israel’s surrounding Arab neighbors had missiles pointed at the sky. One wrong turn on the part of a pilot meant the end of a plane and its passengers. The pilots exhibited unbridled bravery and a determination to do what was right. I wanted American children to know this and be proud.
Once On the Wings of Eagles had reached the final text stage, Dena Neusner, who is the Executive Editor of Behrman House and Apples & Honey Press, wrote to me saying she and most American Jews know very little about Yemenite Jews. Is there another story that I could tell? First of all, I was very flattered that Dena was turning to me for another book. Beyond that, I was always fascinated by Yemenite Jews. They have made a tremendous contribution to Israeli culture: from food to music, to jewelry, to fashion, to so much. When Dena asked me that question, what immediately stood out in my mind was the pre-wedding Henna ceremony. In Israel, it’s pronounced Kheena. All North African and Middle Eastern Jews have Kheena celebrations but hands down, nothing beats the Yemenite Kheena. I have been to several. They are so colorful and exotic, with outstanding head gear and jewelry. I knew that this was the next story I had to tell, but the plot for this book would be one that I would create. And so The Henna Helper was born.
ON THE WINGS OF EAGLES recounts the rescue of Jews in Yemen that brought them to Israel. The journey was very difficult, as we learn from the family in the story. What do you think was the greatest challenge the people of Yemen faced during this time?
In one word: survival. Yemen was no different than the rest of the Moslem countries. Jews were always second class citizens. Once the State of Israel came into being, their lives were in peril. The equivalent of pogroms spontaneously burst out all over. So devising an escape route to safely reach Aden and from there travel to Israel, was the biggest challenge.
In the book, one of the planes is painted with an eagle to give comfort to the concerned travelers who had never seen an airplane. Did you discover any other interesting anecdotes in your research that didn’t make it into the book?
There are a few anecdotes about what the Yemenite Jews did on the plane, but I don’t want to go into that. We have to always bear in mind that in Yemen these people led a way of life that was light years away from the Western world. But there was a love story during these flights and for me that’s the best anecdote. Warren, the pilot in my story, is patterned after pilot Warren Metzger. Alaska Airlines also had what was then called airline hostesses (in today’s parlance, flight attendants) aboard these flights. The hostess on his flights was a woman named Marian Liscomb. Warren and Marian fell in love and managed to get married in Asmara, Eritrea (in Africa) during the mission. You can’t get a better side mission than that! BTW: this past June, Alaska Airlines and the Anchorage Jewish commuity flew me to Alaska to present On the Wings of Eagles, and who showed up to my presentation? Warren and Marian’s three adult children! They couldn’t stop talking about the airlift and how the mission was the highlight of their parents’ lives.
In the HENNA HELPER, a young girl in Israel, possibly a grandchild of one of your family members in ON THE WINGS OF EAGLES, is introduced to a traditional Yemenite celebration. Why do you think it’s important for young readers to learn about henna celebrations in Israel?
To begin with, a Henna celebration is beautiful, exotic, cool and Jewish! Next: it’s a great example of how diverse Israel and the Jewish people are. Let’s be honest, most American Jewish kids are Ashkenazi and think that Judaism is only Ashkenazi customs and culture. Israel proves that’s not at all the case. We are a tribal people with Jews from all over the world. That’s part of what makes Israel so special and I want readers to know that. Reading about a Henna brings that message home. Who knows? Maybe some of the readers will eventually have their own Henna. One never knows who they’re going to marry.
What is your favorite part of a henna celebration?
I have attended numerous Henna ceremonies and have two favorite parts. I love the way the Yemenite bride is dressed for the first half of the Henna. The tall, cone-shaped headdress and the intricately designed jewelry that the bride wears makes her look like she’s from a foreign kingdom. The second part is the actual ceremony, where close relatives march in bearing beautiful baskets, and the bride’s grandmother dances before her granddaughter before applying the Henna and creating a design on her granddaughter’s hand. There is so much love and happiness in the air. What an atmosphere!
What were your thoughts when you first saw the illustrations in both books?
I love both. Each is perfect for the respective book.
My initial thoughts? Watching both books unfold while living through a two-year war (and I hope it will remain two years) definitely impacted my reactions. On the Wings of Eagles was in the works during the first year of the war, which on a daily basis was so frightening and stressful for all of us here in Israel. So seeing the illustrations of a book dealing with an emergency evacuation to Israel was akin to living the event. I can’t stop raving about Alisha Monnin’s work. Aside from the beautiful, authentic look of the people and their surroundings, she perfectly captured the emotions of the characters. At one point a round of illustrations was sent to me during a missile attack siren alert. When the All Clear was announced, I exited our safe room and made a beeline for my computer to check my mail. There were the illustrations. When I opened the file and looked at them I burst into tears. Not only had Alisha captured the characters’ emotions, she had captured mine as well.
The Henna Helper is illustrated in an entirely different style, and I love it. It’s light, happy, eye-catching. Just what the doctor ordered. Yinon Ptahia created the perfect illustrations for this story and I adore them. The minute I saw them I found myself smiling. The fact that Yinon is himself a Yemenite-Israeli gives this specific work added pizazz. The henna headdresses, jewelry, caftans, baskets – you name it, they’re all spot on. I’m in love.
I hope many readers will read these books together to learn about Jewish Yemenite culture. What do you hope young readers take away from these two books?
Oh Barbara, you’re giving me an opportunity to get on my soap box.
My hope is that On the Wings of Eagles will show readers in a non-didactic fashion that Israel is the homeland of all Jews, regardless if they live here or not. And it is important for all Jews to know that should the need arise, they always will have a place to go to, a country that they can call their own. Amen. Amen.
As for The Henna Helper, I hope it will open readers’ eyes to the beautiful mosaic of the Jewish people, to accept all Jews and their customs on an equal basis, and to understand that age-old traditions can be practiced side-by-side with new customs.
Thank you, Tami!
Tami Lehman-Wilzig is an award-winning author of many picture books, including SOOSIE, The Horse That Saved Shabbat; Boston Chocolate Party; Keeping the Promise; and Passover Around the World. She has lived in Israel since 1977, and lives in Kfar Saba with her husband.
Extraordinary books by an extraordinary woman!
Thank you, Rachelle. I’m flattered by such a compliment coming from a prolific author like you.
Both of these stories are fantastic. It is so important to show the diversity within the Jewish community, and these books help teach the next generation.
Thank you Julie. I agree with you about how important it is to highlight Jewish diversity. I am grateful that Apples & Honey Press gave me the opportunity to open a window on an important Jewish “tribe” barely known outside of Israel.