NOVEMBER 2017

Book Yourself a Ticket... for Jewish Book Month!

One of the Jewish Book Council’s premier events is Jewish Book Month. Always during the month preceding Chanukah, November 12 kicks off Jewish book month this year. It is only fitting that we have a whole month devoted to celebrating Jewish books, because we are referred to as “the people of the book.” Judaism places a great emphasis on Jewish texts and the variety of Jewish texts is virtually endless.
​Our ever-expanding canon of literature includes ancient texts like the TaNaKh and Talmud, mystical texts like the Zohar and Mussar, and present day texts like Responsa Literature and Contemporary Midrashim.

Let’s not forget the countless books on Jewish topics—fiction, non-fiction, and even children’s books. There are also great Jewish reference books, guiding and instructing us on our own practice of Judaism, from cooking matzah ball soup to hanging a mezuzah.
 
This abundance of texts can be overwhelming, though. How does a novice get started? Which texts/books should we start with? Where do we find these books? This newsletter will serve as a guide to not only some of our favorite books, but also some creative ways to bring Jewish books to life. We hope you enjoy and that it will inspire you to do some Jewish reading of your own:

• Here's 5 ways to make Jewish children's books even more engaging...
• Want to do some reading of your own? We have recommendations!
• It's always a good month to explore the Hebrew language a little more.
• Some of the ISJL's other departments weighed in with their top Jewish Book Month ideas!
• Have you considered writing your own Jewish storybooks with your students?

​Happy reading!

---