The Book of Life: Jewish Kidlit (Mostly) Heidi Rabinowitz
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- Arts
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The Book of Life is an interview-format podcast about Jewish kidlit, mostly, with occasional coverage of Jewish YA/adult books, music, film and web, established in December 2005.
Host: Heidi Rabinowitz
Sponsors: Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel of Boca Raton, Florida & the Association of Jewish Libraries
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Project Shema
SHOW NOTES: https://jewishbooks.blogspot.com/2024/04/project-shema.html
As you may remember, in December 2023 I participated in The Artists Against Antisemitism auction, which raised funds for Project Shema. Today we'll talk with April Powers, Vice President of Diversity Equity and Inclusion at Project Shema, to learn more about their mission and how it can help us kidlit folks.
LEARN MORE:
Transcript of interview Project Shema Jewbian Princess "Skin in the Game: How Antisemitism Animates White Nationalism" article by Eric K. Ward Reading suggestions: The Source by James Michener, The Assignment by Liza Wiemer -
The Miracle Seed
SHOW NOTES: https://jewishbooks.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-miracle-seed.html The Miracle Seed is Martin Lemelman's nonfiction graphic novel about how modern science brought the Judean date palm back to life after a thousand year extinction. We met in person at the local public library's recording studio to talk about his book, his art, and the truly amazing story of how seeds found at an archaeological dig at Masada in Israel were able to be germinated after centuries, and about the significance of the Judean date palm in Jewish history. LEARN MORE: Martin Lemelman's websites TwoCentComics.com and LemelmanArt.com The Arava Institute Graphic novel about Martin's mother: Mendel's Daughter Graphic memoir: Two Cents Plain: My Brooklyn Boyhood Book and film: The Tattooed Torah Another recent Israel-related interview: Noa Nimrodi on Not So Shy
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The 2024 Sydney Taylor Book Awards, Revealed
SHOW NOTES: https://jewishbooks.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-2024-sydney-taylor-book-awards.html
The winners of the 2024 Sydney Taylor Book Awards, recognizing the best Jewish children's and young adult literature of the year, were announced on January 22, 2024 at the American Library Association's Youth Media Awards event. Aviva Rosenberg is the current chair of the Sydney Taylor Book Award committee, and she joined us to discuss the 2024 winners of the award.
LEARN MORE:
Sydney Taylor Book Awards ALA's Youth Media Awards (where the Sydney Taylors are announced) ALA's YouTube channel, where you can watch a recording of the announcement Heidi's unofficial 2024 Sydney Taylor shortlist Aviva's recommendation for an Israel-related book: The Miracle Seed by Martin Lemelman Aviva's Tikkun Olam suggestion: buy Israeli products! A helpful Facebook group is Israeli Shops to Purchase From Read the Transcript -
The Artists Against Antisemitism
SHOW NOTES: https://jewishbooks.blogspot.com/2023/12/the-artists-against-antisemitism-auction.html
The Artists Against Antisemitism is a new organization formed to give creatives of all kinds a way to fight anti-Jewish hate. Their very first action is to hold an auction, happening December 15-22, 2023. The auction will benefit Project Shema, which trains and supports the Jewish community and allies to understand and address contemporary antisemitism, especially on college campuses. EVEN IF YOU MISS THE AUCTION - you can still help!
Debbie Reed Fischer, one of the founding members of Artists Against Antisemitism, joined me to tell us all about it.
LEARN MORE:
Bid in the auction: bit.ly/KeepTheLightGoing23 TheArtistsAgainstAntisemitism.com ProjectShema.org Debbie Reed Fischer's website Read the transcript -
Hanukkah Upside Down
SHOW NOTES: https://jewishbooks.blogspot.com/2023/12/hanukkah-upside-down.html
In September 2023, I zoomed with Elissa Brent Weissman from across the world, to record an interview about her new picture book, Hanukkah Upside Down. It's the story of a cousin in New York and a cousin in New Zealand, and how they connect during this wintertime AND summertime holiday.
LEARN MORE:
Read the transcript Buy or borrow Hanukkah Upside Down Elissa Brent Weissman's website Illustrator Omer Hoffman's website BONUS HANUKKAH FUN:
#JewishJoy posts Interview: The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming Hanukkah Book Bingo -
Two Tribes
SHOW NOTES: https://jewishbooks.blogspot.com/2023/11/two-tribes.html
Emily Bowen Cohen is a Jewish member of the Muscogee Nation. Her debut graphic novel, Two Tribes, explores the complexities that come with having a dual identity. I can't think of a better book to read in November, which is both Jewish Book Month and Native American Heritage Month.
LEARN MORE:
Read the transcript Buy or borrow Two Tribes Emily Bowen Cohen's website and Instagram Emily's Tikkun Olam suggestion: Be'chol Lashon Emily's Israel book suggestion: Lon-Lon's Big Night by Miri Leshem-Pelly Heartdrum imprint at HarperCollins Jewish Book Month Native American Heritage Month
Customer Reviews
really helpful
Thank you heidi estrin I thank you because i am a 12 year old former catholic and ever since I went to temple in late february I wanted to learn more about judisim and there culture.I am tring to become jewish and your podcast was a help