Blog

January 27 is International Holocaust Day established by the United Nations on the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. The United Nations urges all 193 members of the organization to use this day to plan...Read more...

Short stories get short shrift. They are one of the beauties of literature. In just a few pages- sometimes even one- a whole world may be revealed or a mere fragment of a world or character.

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It’s that time of year again- the holiday season. This time of year has always been fraught with tension for many Jewish families as the carols sing out and the lights twinkle.

As a child, I would gaze at the festive trees in the windows of the houses as I walked home from Hebrew School after a day in public school where music...Read more...

Thanksgiving weekend is usually the lead in to a frenetic few weeks of shopping, entertaining and family.  With Hanukkah so closely following  turkey day this year, the days may be even more jam-packed than usual.

Here are some Hanukkah and other related links, activities, and a...Read more...

Biblical Fiction

Three thousand three hundred twelve (3312). That’s a pretty big number and it’s not arbitrary. That’s the approximate number of languages that at least part of the Bible (Jewish and other) have been translated into. As of September 2020,  the...Read more...

As we celebrate Simchat Torah and begin the Torah cycle again, you might find interesting the website of Beit Toratah. In the group’s words, “Beit...Read more...

This week is a pessimist’s raison d’etre:  devastation in Haiti, heartbreak and harrowing events in Afghanistan, the continued flourishing of the coronavirus. To say nothing of the wildfires raging on in California, or the water shortage on the Colorado River, or continued fighting between Israel and Hezbollah including an alleged missile strike in Syria.

How does Torah—in its mega-sense, meaning all of Jewish teaching and...Read more...

One of my earliest Jewish memories is of the shofar. In particular, the final blast of the season, that long blast at the end of Yom Kippur ne’ilah. My memory is of the synagogue elder, ancient to my little girl eyes, holding the Havdalah candle, and – to my horror – beckoning me and my sister to come join him on the bimah. We must have been sitting in the front rows. I was too shy in those days; I wouldn’t do it. From our seats, I...Read more...

When I was in high school, I spent a large part of my time and energy helping people who were homeless. I helped organize a club at school which collected leftover and unused food from local supermarkets and restaurants and brought them to a local soup kitchen (we called it the Gleaners, taken from the Book of Ruth, though I admit I didn’t get the reference at the time). I spent a summer working at the Crisis...Read more...

One thing librarians, especially librarians who work in small environments, look forward to is the annual conference.

Now that I am retired from the public sector, I especially anticipate the annual Association of Jewish Libraries conference. This international multi-day...Read more...

As we all know, there is a wealth of information on the internet and much is actually available after the original showing…and for free. Visitors, however,  are encouraged to donate to help support programming.

Here are a variety of resources, including some travel sites to help you plan a trip or take one virtually. While the locations are all of interest, the quality of the travel webinar depends on the skill of the guide-...Read more...

There's lots going on in both the cyber and real worlds. As the world continues to open up a bit, live entertainment has slowly begun again or will soon.

The weather encourages outdoor gatherings.

But for when we are confined indoors, here are some programs and activities available via the Internet.

But first—Shavuot is right around the corner. Dairy is a must. Here’s a simple, homey, versatile classic dairy dish...Read more...

Jewish American History Month has been celebrated every  May since 2006. Throughout May the library column will concentrate on American Jewish biography and history, bringing to your attention fascinating—though not always admirable—American Jews who have made their mark.

Jews have...Read more...

Every year the International Board on Books for Young People sponsors a day to celebrate children’s books. Called International Children’s Book Day,  the celebration falls on Hans Christian Andersen’s birthday, April 2.  The intent is to both  inspire...Read more...

March is a very busy month with Passover coming up shortly. However,  Women’s history month and the celebration of brave, strong, accomplished women can’t be glossed over.

Think back to the women of the Bible who led, who were warriors, who spoke up for their...Read more...