The Gift of Books
By Amy Schwartz, Director, PJ Library & jkidphilly / In the children’s book, Thank you, Trees, by Gail Langer Karwoski and Marilyn E. Gootman, it reads, “On Tu BiShvat we thank each tree, for all it gives to you and me.” I think of this sentiment and how it is also a metaphor for books themselves and the gifts of learning, wondering, and imagining they can provide.
The People of the Book
By Rabbi Phil Warmflash, Executive Director/ On January 26th, Jewish Learning Venture will formally launch year seven of One Book, One Jewish Community (OBOJC) with an Author Event and Book Signing featuring Michael Lavigne, author of this year’s featured selection, "The Wanting." Arriving at this year seven milestone is quite an accomplishment and a tribute to the dedication and tenacity of a group of volunteers, many members of which have been working on OBOJC since its inception.
Opening My Eyes
By Rachel Eisenberg TAP Teen, Temple Judea In November, I went and helped to throw a party for adults with special needs. I moved around and talked to a few of them. Then, I sat down and talked to a woman named Miriam. She was blind and had a few other cognitive special needs. First we made a card and I asked her what she wanted on it and exactly how she wanted it placed. We talked and she was very nice. It was amazing to see adults with special needs because they acted a lot different than children. They [...]