The Book of Life

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST      🕮   The Book of Life takes you on a virtual trip around the world for Passover! > Pulitzer Prize winning author Geraldine Brooks discusses People of the Book , her fictional history of the Sarajevo Haggadah . > Basya Schechter talks about her band Pharaoh's Daughter , which mixes world music and psychedelic rock with Middle Eastern sounds. > Author Ilana Kurshan describes her compilation of translations, Why Is This Night Different From All Other Nights? The Four Questions Around the World . > If you like Ilana's book, you may also like 300 Ways to Ask the Four Questions from Zulu to Abkhaz by Murray Spiegel and Rickey Stein. It comes with a CD and a DVD to demonstrate the translations!   NEWS: In our next episode we'll celebrate Israel@60! Don't miss it! CREDITS: Thanks to Dan Krimm for permission to use Ma Nishtana - The Blues Version ! Our regular background music is provided by The Freilachm...

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST      > Author Amy Meltzer discusses her picture book A Mezuzah on the Door , an Association of Jewish Libraries Notable Book and PJ Library selection > Author Eric Kimmel shares mezuzah memories > Author Sarah Gershman and illustrator Kristina Swarner talk about their Sydney Taylor Book Award winning picture book, The Bedtime Sh'ma: A Good Night Book . This book was also a National Jewish Book Award Finalist , and is a PJ Library selection. > Author Maggie Anton shares mezuzah memories Special background music for this episode is provided by The Bedtime Sh'ma Companion CD and by Cantor Jeff Klepper's "Mezuzah" song on the CD Shiron L'Yeladim . Our regular background music is provided by The Freilachmakers Klezmer String Band. Books and CD's mentioned on the show may be borrowed from the Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel .

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST      🕮    The Book of Life hosted a live, call-in show on February 7, 2008 with special guest Pamela Ehrenberg, author of Ethan, Suspended . Our discussion topic was "what makes a book Jewish?" This recording of the call-in show has been edited for clarity and sound quality, but is essentially the same show heard by those who listened live on the big day. Many of those who called in are well-known as authors or bloggers. Follow these links to learn more about the voices you hear on this episode (listed alphabetically): > Maggie Anton, author of the series Rashi's Daughters > Barbara Bietz , author of Like a Maccabee , and blogger at Barbara's Book Blog > Marie Cloutier, blogger at The Boston Bibliophile > June Cummins , Associate Professor of English & Comparative Literature at San Diego State University > Andi Davidson, past member of the Sydney Taylor Book Award Committee > Pamela Ehren...

The Book of Life's experimental live call-in show was held yesterday, and it was a success! A number of people called to share opinions about our featured book, Ethan, Suspended , and about what defines a Jewish book. The show was recorded, and I'm editing it now; soon it will be added to the regular podcast line-up. I apologize in advance for the sound quality. My own voice sounds kind of broken up, while other callers came through loud and clear. I may, in fact, try re-recording my own comments if I can get it to integrate with the rest of the conversation. Many of our callers were well-known figures within the Judaic literary community, so I will provide links in the show notes to lead you back to some of their special projects (blogs, books, and so on). Thanks so much to everyone who called and to everyone who listened live, and thanks again to featured guest author Pamela Ehrenberg!

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST     🕮    In this special "Bells & Whistles" edition of The Book of Life, host Heidi Estrin gives instructions for accessing the live Book of Life call-in show being held on Thursday, February 7, 2008, 3-4pm EST. The theme of the February 7 program is "Funny, That Book Doesn't Look Jewish" and our guest will be Pamela Ehrenberg, author of the middle-grade novel Ethan, Suspended . We'll take calls about Ethan, Suspended , and about what makes a book Jewish in general. What follows is a transcript of the podcast, for those of you who prefer written to auditory instructions: On Thursday February 7, 2008 from 3 to 4 pm eastern standard time, The Book of Life will host a live call-in show using the Talkshoe service. The show is entitled "Funny, That Book Doesn't Look Jewish." Our special guest will be Pamela Ehrenberg, author of the middle grade novel Ethan, Suspended , and our discussion topic will be what make...

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST      🕮    This January 2008 episode offers themes of empowerment with these interviews: > Raz Godelnik, founder of Eco-Libris , planting a tree for each book you read > Chana Rothman , whose debut album We Can Rise shows off her "female-fronted earthy groove" > Linda Silver, creator of The Jewish Values Finder, a database and book identifying values in Jewish children's books > Rachel Kamin, chair of the Sydney Taylor Book Award Committee, describing the 2008 winners of this award for Jewish lit for kids and teens NEWS: February 7, 2008, 3-4pm EST The Book of Life will host a live call-in show on the theme "Funny, That Book Doesn't Look Jewish!" Pam Ehrenberg , author of the middle-grade novel Ethan, Suspended , will be our guest, and we'll take calls for YOU, the audience! Please join us by calling in - instructions for particpating will appear on our web site: www.bookoflifepodcast.com CR...

The winners of the 2008 Sydney Taylor Book Awards for the best in Jewish literature for children and teens have just been announced! Rachel Kamin, award committee chair, will be our guest on the January episode of The Book of Life. While you are waiting for that interview, please enjoy this video announcement of the awards! More info at www.SydneyTaylorBookAwards.org or www.SydneyTaylorBookAward.blogspot.com .

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST      🕮    OK, here's your big, last-night-of-Hanukkah present: an embeddable flash player so you can enjoy The Book of Life on your own web page, blog, or social network! And to go with it, I've uploaded a bonus episode, "Meet Markus!" This is a live, unedited talk recorded at the independent bookstore Books & Books in Coral Gables, Florida with Markus Zusak , author of The Book Thief . Let me tell you a little more about the new podcast player widget, provided by Big Contact (btw, I must tell you that they have excellent customer service! They were a huge help to me when I ran into trouble setting up this player!). The player you see here is just an image ... for the real player, please look on the sidebar to your right. ----> (If you're not viewing this post at www.bookoflifepodcast.com , you can see the player here.) You can scroll down the list of episodes and click on any title to play that show. The littl...

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST      🕮    This episode marks the 2nd year anniversary of The Book of Life! In this show, we celebrate the holiday of Hanukkah . > Illustrator Ann Koffsky describes her snowflake " Jerusalem of Peace ," created for Robert's Snow for Cancer's Cure . We also learn about her illustrations for My Cousin Tamar Lives in Israel by Michelle Shapiro Abraham, and her new Joyfully Jewish 2008 calendar . > Author Sarah Marwil Lamstein and illustrator Neil Waldman discuss their picture book Letter on the Wind: A Chanukah Tale . > Kenny Ellis , cantor and performer, riffs on his CD Hanukkah Swings! You can also check out Kenny's MySpace page, and download "Swingin' Dreidel" as a ringtone. > Author Barbara Bietz talks about her chapter book Like a Maccabee , as well as her kidlit blog and her new position on the Sydney Taylor Book Award Committee , where she'll help choose the best Judaic children's books of...

Barbara Bietz, kidlit blogger, incoming member of the Sydney Taylor Book Award Committee, and author of Like a Maccabee , interviewed me for her blog! Click here to read the interview. Turn about is fair play, so I'll be interviewing Barbara for the December 2007 episode of The Book of Life. Her entertaining chapter book is about Hanukkah, family... and soccer. (Who knew?) Keep up with Barbara Bietz at http://www.barbarabietz.com/ or at barbarabbookblog.blogspot.com .

As you may know, in addition to hosting The Book of Life I am also a Judaica children's librarian. I was so pleased when MyJewishLearning.com asked me to write an article for their web page about Contemporary Jewish Youth Literature! The article discusses recent trends in Judaic literature for kids and teens. Click here to read the article , and please post a comment to let me know what you think, or to suggest additional titles! ~ Heidi

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST      🕮    In this episode of The Book of Life, a show about Jewish people and the books we read, we celebrate Thanksgiving with a special bonus episode! > We hear from Todd Herzog , a Jewish musician/singer/songwriter from Phoenix, Arizona. Todd's spiritual pop music has a thankful quality about it that fits in well with Thanksgiving. Also check out Todd's MySpace page . > We meet Maryann Kovalski, illustrator of the award-winning picture book Rivka's First Thanksgiving by Elsa Okon Rael. > We learn about the Library Blogathon at the Feldman Children's Library (home base of The Book of Life). If you are a fan of books and libraries, you need to check out this blog! Available beginning November 21, 2007. > Throughout the show we send shout-outs to various listeners who have sent in their comments and feedback to The Book of Life during the year. Do YOU have something to say? Be sure to email us at bo...

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST      🕮    In this episode of The Book of Life, a show about Jewish people and the books we read, we celebrate traditional radio and the new media revolution of podcasting and blogging that was born from it. > We interview Harold Augenbraum , director of the National Book Foundation , about the Foundation's choice of Terry Gross, host of NPR's Fresh Air , for the 2007 Literarian Award . > We talk to David & Susan Siegel about the history of Jews in radio. They are the authors of Radio and the Jews : The Untold Story of How Radio Influenced America's Image of Jews, 1920's - 1950's . > We meet literary blogger and synagogue librarian Marie Cloutier at the Podcast & New Media Expo . Marie's blog is The Boston Bibliophile . NEWS: Be sure to check back later in November 2007 for our Thanksgiving Special podcast! This bonus episode will include interviews with musician Todd Herzog and with Maryann Kovalski ...

Today is Blog Action Day , when bloggers across the world will write posts related to a single issue: the environment. The idea is to raise awareness across the spectrum of readers about the importance of considering the environment. In that spirit, I offer you some Jewish titles with an environmental slant. Annotations are from the Jewish Valuesfinder . Enjoy! > Behold the Trees by Sue Alexander, Scholastic, 2001 Recalling the history of Eretz Yisrael from Canaanite times to the founding of the modern state, this beautifully designed book has splendid illustrations that mirror the rise, trials, and achievements of the Jewish people as reflected by Israel's trees. > This is the World That God Made by Rhonda Gowler Greene, Eerdmans, 2002 Dazzling color illustrations, full of curves and movement, are the highlight of this retelling of the Creation story. The text is patterned after "This Is the House That Jack Built" and the language is spare and simp...

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST      🕮    In this episode of The Book of Life, a show about Jewish people and the books we read, we celebrate classic Jewish children's books ! > The All-of-a-Kind Family books by Sydney Taylor, about five sisters growing up on the Lower East Side at the turn of the last century, helped to create the genre of Jewish children's literature. We speak with Sydney's daughter, Jo Taylor Marshall, to get the inside scoop. Related info: > The Sydney Taylor Book Award > The Sydney Taylor Manuscript Award > The All-of-a-Kind Family Companion (a reader's guide) > Author Michelle Edwards talks about her picture book, Chicken Man , which takes place on an Israeli kibbutz. Good news: Chicken Man will be back in print in January 2008, reissued by New South Books ! > We discuss The Rabbi and the 29 Witches by Marilyn Hirsh with her editor, Margery Cuyler (who is also a children's book author). Publisher M...

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST      🕮    In this episode of The Book of Life, a show about Jewish people and the books we read, we view the world through new eyes at this season of the Jewish New Year. > We speak to Mordicai Gerstein , author of The White Ram , a picture book midrash about the sacrifice of Isaac. The White Ram won the National Jewish Book Award and a Sydney Taylor Honor Award. > We hear from Rabbi Cary A. Friedman , author of Wisdom from the Batcave , about how Batman can teach each of us to live a super, heroic life. > Musician Yoshie Fruchter describes his CD Beyond the Book , which provides a look into the subconscious of our biblical ancestors. > Brynn Olenberg Sugarman tells of her picture book Rebecca's Journey Home , which is based on her own daughter's adoption. This book won a Sydney Taylor Honor Award. NEWS: > Don't forget to inscribe yourself in The Book of Life's High Holidays "Book of Life!" ...

Please inscribe yourself in The Book of Life's "Book of Life" by signing our interactive guestbook! Why get inscribed? > It will give Heidi a lot of naches . > It will help Book of Life listeners get to know each other. > You can let us know about your favorite Judaic book, CD, or website. > If you are an author, musician, etc. you can let us know about YOUR book, CD, or website! And if you're too shy to upload your own photo, just use an image of a book or CD you want to recommend, or a screenshot of your website! Remember, you can also link to a YouTube video! ~ Shanah Tovah from Heidi, your Book of Life host!

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST      🕮    In this episode of The Book of Life, a show about Jewish people and the books we read, we celebrate klezmer music! > We visit the Judaica Sound Archives at Florida Atlantic University and hear some of their historic klezmer samples. > We talk to Joan Betty Stuchner , author of the picture book The Kugel Valley Klezmer Band (also known in Canada as Shira's Hanukkah Gift ). > We meet Yale Strom , a "one man klezmer industry," who tells us about his books, films, travels, and performances, all relating to klezmer music.   NEWS: > Don't forget to inscribe yourself in The Book of Life's High Holidays "Book of Life!" Shanah Tovah! CREDITS: Background music is provided by The Freilachmakers Klezmer String Band. Books and CD's mentioned on the show may be borrowed from the Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel . 

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST        🕮    In this episode of The Book of Life, a show about Jewish people and the books we read, we explore themes of magic and mystery. > Cantor Amy O. Miller explains Jewish views on Harry Potter. Cantor Miller has presented at many Harry Potter symposiums , including Nimbus 2003 , ConventionAlley 2004 , Accio 2005 , and Lumos 2006 . > Cartoonist Jason Lutes gives us some background on his graphic novel, Houdini, The Handcuff King , published by Hyperion in association with The Center for Cartoon Studies . Lutes' co-creator was Nick Bertozzi . > Author Sarah Mlynowski describes her Bras & Broomsticks trilogy for middle-grade girls. > Mystery writer Pari Noskin Taichert tells us about supernatural aspects of her novel The Clovis Incident . She also blogs on Murderati and is active on Crimespace . NEWS: > The Book of Life T-shirt with original art by award-winning author/illustrator Simms T...

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST     🕮    The Book of Life cools off with summer reading. We learn about the ReaderGirlz web site, and their promotion of a Jewish title: GoyCrazy by Melissa Schorr . Then we talk to Melissa herself! We hear from the music group Sababa . And we talk to Nextbook.org for summer reading recommendations. Our background music is provided by The Freilachmakers Klezmer String Band. Most books, videos, or CD's mentioned on the show may be borrowed from the Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel . Browse our online catalog to reserve books, post a review, or just to look around!

The Book of Life has won the Bronze Medal in the Best Jewish Podcast/ Audio Blog/ Video Blog category of the 3rd Annual 2007 Jewish & Israeli Blog Awards ! Gold went to Lazer Beams Emunah Outreach Videos , and Silver went to Sameach Music Podcast. Thanks SO MUCH to everybody who voted and helped make this medal a reality for The Book of Life!!!

The Book of Life is a finalist in the 3rd Annual Jewish & Israeli Blog Awards (JIBA) in the "Best Jewish Podcast/Audio Blog/Video Blog" category. We are currently the lowest in votes, and we need your help ! Won't you please vote for us? Click here to vote . Voting closes on Wednesday, May 16, 10pm US-EDT. Thanks! Heidi Host, The Book of Life

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST      🕮    In this episode of The Book of Life, a show about Jewish people and the books we read, we celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month by focusing on America's favorite pastime: baseball! > We'll talk to Carol Matas , author of the middle-grade historical novel Play Ball . > We meet Aviva Kempner, the independent filmmaker behind the documentary The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg . > During our seventh-inning stretch, we take a break to "say Chai" in celebration of our 18th episode. Thanks to all our listeners who sent in greetings! > Fellow podcasters Andrea & Mark of Just One More Book review the picture book Across the Alley for us. > Finally we speak to the author of Across the Alley , Richard Michelson . Rich is also the owner of the R. Michelson Galleries in Northampton, MA. Baseball-themed music in this episode includes Take Me Out to the Ball Game (Yiddish Version) per...

Ever heard of a Blog Carnival? Here's a description from the blog Chicken Spaghetti : A "carnival" takes place at one blog; it is a conglomeration of links (from many different blogs) to posts on a certain theme. Children's books and reading are the focus of the Carnival of Children's Literature. Carnivals generally include one post from each blog who wants to join in. The Book of Life participated in the 13th Carnival of Children's Literature , hosted at Jen Robinson's Book Page . Jen's blog promotes the love of reading among children and the continued reading of children's books by adults, a sentiment I heartily agree with! The Carnival has links to children's-literature-related posts from a wide variety of literary blogs. Our post, which relates to the Sydney Taylor Book Awards, can be found in the section labeled "The Midway (About Prizes and Awards)."

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST      🕮    Next month we will post our 18th episode! The number 18 is lucky in Jewish tradition because its numerological value is "chai" (Hebrew for "life"). In celebration, we invite you to "say chai" to the folks in your life! We'll be reading your shout-outs on the show, like Garrison Keillor does after intermission on A Prairie Home Companion. Send in a message for your friends or family by emailing bookoflifepodcast@gmail.com today! In this episode of The Book of Life, a show about Jewish people and the books we read, we celebrate the power of books to sustain the Jewish people. We'll hear from: > Jonathan Kirsch , author of Biblical non-fiction such as The Harlot by the Side of the Road, God Against the Gods, and A History of the End of the World . He'll be the keynote speaker at the Association of Jewish Libraries convention on June 17, 2007 in Scottsdale, Arizona. > Nancy Kalikow Maxwell, autho...

WJEW is an online radio station broadcasting live out of Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan. The station is run by the students of Temple Israel and overseen by Cantor Michael Smolash. As the description on their broadcast page says, they play "the best new Jewish music, along with interviews with some of the most influential Jews in the world." WJEW will be broadcasting various interviews from The Book of Life's past podcasts. During their "talk hour" 8:00-9:00 pm on Thursday, March 22, 2007 they will be playing The Book of Life's interview with Steve Brodsky of Mah Tovu about the song "Pharoah Pharoah." The segment originally appeared in The Book of Life's April 2006 episode .

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST      🕮    In this episode of The Book of Life, a show about Jewish people and the books we read, we celebrate the holiday of Passover. We'll hear from: > dave horowitz (yes, he spells it lower case), speaking about his picture book Five Little Gefiltes (Putnam, 2007). The "Five Little Ducks" recording you'll hear on the show was provided by I CAN , a UK charity that supports children's communication. Please help them help more kids by adding your favorite (or "favourite") word to their Wall of Words. I added "gefilte." > Tami Lehman-Wilzig on her children's book Passover Around the World (Kar-Ben, 2007). > Sean Altman of the band Jewmongous about the song "They Tried to Kill Us (We Survived, Let's Eat)," written with Rob Tannenbaum (now of Good for the Jews ) during their tenure in the band What I Like About Jew .   FYI: W hile most materials discussed on The Book of Life are...

I will be attending the 3rd Annual Podcast and New Media Expo in Ontario, California (note - California, not Canada), September 28-30, 2007. Check it out at www.NewMediaExpo.com , and let me know if you'll be there too!

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST      🕮    In this episode of The Book of Life, a show about Jewish people and the books we read, we celebrate the holiday of Purim with jokes and interviews! We'll hear about: > The classic Purim picture book Queen Esther Saves Her People , by Rita Golden Gelman with illustrations by Frane Lessac . > Two recent Purim-related major motion pictures, One Night with the King and For Your Consideration , reviewed for us by film critic Kathryn Bernheimer, author of The 50 Greatest Jewish Movies: A Critic's Ranking of the Very Best. > Jewtopia: The Chosen Book for the Chosen People , a crazy comedy book by Bryan Fogel and Sam Wolfson, based on the hit play Jewtopia.   FYI: while most materials discussed on The Book of Life are family-friendly, this book has some sections that are strictly for adults! > Jewish jokes submitted by listeners Pete Pollock, Nina Black, and Maureen Reister. Mazel tov to Nina,...

We love to know where The Book of Life is being heard, so please take a moment and click here to add yourself to our new listener map , provided by Frappr.

The Book of Life makes a guest appearance on Just One More Book , a fun podcast "about the children's books we love and why we love them." Check out Heidi's review of Hanukkah at Valley Forge , and take some time to listen to their other reviews and author interviews. Thanks to hosts Andrea & Mark for including us!

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST      🕮    In this episode of The Book of Life, a show about Jewish people and the books we read, we kick off the new year with new books and new music. We'll hear about: > The 2007 Sydney Taylor Book Awards for Jewish children's literature, presented by the Association of Jewish Libraries. We'll speak to awards chair Rachel Kamin, as she announces the winners at the Association's Midwinter Meeting. Many of the winning authors have been previously interviewed on The Book of Life; click below to find those interviews: 2007 SYDNEY TAYLOR BOOK AWARD: YOUNGER READERS CATEGORY Hanukkah at Valley Forge by Stephen Krensky & Greg Harlin - December 2006 show 2007 SYDNEY TAYLOR BOOK AWARD: OLDER READERS CATEGORY Julia's Kitchen by Brenda Ferber - September 2006 show 2007 SYDNEY TAYLOR HONOR AWARD: OLDER READERS CATEGORY Vive la Paris by Esme Raji Codell - November 2006 show 2007 AJL TEEN BOOK AWARD (this is a new award, as ...

Howdy, Book of Life Listeners!  We are planning ahead for our Purim episode, and we need your help. In the spirit of Purim, the episode will focus on humor. WE WANT YOUR JEWISH JOKES! Some of the jokes submitted will appear on the show, and the very best jokester will receive a copy of Jewtopia, The Chosen Book for the Chosen People by Bryan Fogel & Sam Wolfson (yes, the same guys who created the hit play by the same name).  Sumbit your joke (clean jokes only, please!) by email to heidi@cbiboca.org . Even better, if your computer has a microphone you can tell us your joke out loud using MyChingo - just click on the MyChingo button on The Book of Life web page at www.jewishbooks.blogspot.com . It only allows 2 minute recordings, so be quick... or call back and tell your joke in segments if you need to. Can't wait to hear your jokes! Happy New Year!

December, 2006 For immediate release MEDIA RELEASE “THE BOOK OF LIFE” CELEBRATES ONE YEAR OF JEWISH PODCASTING The Book of Life, a monthly podcast about Jewish books and music, celebrates a year of successful podcasting this December. The first episode of the audio program was posted in December, 2005. This “Internet radio show” features interviews with authors and illustrators of Judaic books, and musicians who have produced Judaic recordings. “As a librarian, my purpose is to promote books and CD’s that people can borrow from libraries,” says podcast producer and host Heidi Estrin, who directs the Feldman Library at Congregation B’nai Israel in Boca Raton, Florida. “I am especially excited about the wonderful Jewish books being published these days for children and teens, and that is a major focus of the show. I hope that hearing the ‘backstory’ will get readers involved!” The Book of Life has received notice from other literary web pages, including PlanetEsme and Cynsat...

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST      🕮    Congratulations to Jason Gaines , winner of The Book of Life holiday book drawing! An autographed copy of Celebrate Hanukkah with Light, Latkes and Dreidels is on the way! Listen to an interview with the author in this month's podcast. SHOW NOTES: This episode of The Book of Life, a show about Jewish people and the books we read, celebrates the holiday of Hanukkah. We'll hear from: > Stephen Krensky and Greg Harlin , author and illustrator of Hanukkah at Valley Forge , a historical picture book about George Washington's encounter with a Jewish soldier > Nora Guthrie, Woody Guthrie's daughter and director of the Woody Guthrie Foundation and Archives, about the new Klezmatics CD Woody Guthrie's Happy Joyous Hanukkah . > Deborah Heiligman , author of the new nonfiction picture book Celebrate Hanukkah with Light, Latkes and Dreidels

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST      🕮    This brief "addendum" to The Book of Life offers timely information about a new book list of Hanukkah stories for children. The Sydney Taylor Book Award Committee of the Association of Jewish Libraries has created the list Great Hanukkah Books for Kids , a recommended reading-and-shopping list for families, teachers, and librarians. The list has space at the bottom of the front page for libraries or booksellers to add local information, turning the list into a promotional tool for you!

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST      🕮    HOLIDAY BOOK DRAWING: Use this form to enter our drawing! and you may win an autographed copy of the nonfiction picture book, Celebrate Hanukkah with Light, Latkes, and Dreidels by Deborah Heiligman, new from National Geographic! Illustrated with beautiful multicultural photographs, the book makes a great gift or a keepsake for yourself. Tune in to The Book of Life in December to hear an interview with the author. You'll be asked to answer a few simple questions, including the name of your favorite Hanukkah book. Deadline for entry is Sunday, November 26, 2006 -- the end of Thanksgiving weekend.   This episode of The Book of Life, a show about Jewish people and the books we read, celebrates Jewish Book Month. We'll hear from: > Howard Schwartz , author of Before You Were Born , winner of the 2006 Koret International Book Award > Carolyn Starman Hessel, Director of the Jewish Book Council , on the ...

JBooks.com, The Online Jewish Book Community, has teamed up with The Book of Life, a popular podcast about “Jewish People and the Books We Read.” This monthly audio program features interviews with Jewish authors and musicians. The podcasts are moderated by Heidi Estrin, the Library Director at Congregation B’nai Israel in Boca Raton, Florida, and President of the South Florida Chapter of the Association of Jewish Libraries. Much of the material featured on the podcasts is for kids and teens, but adult materials are sometimes included in the mix. The program showcases Jewish books, music and occasionally a web site or a movie. Each episode lasts for approximately 15-20 minutes. Estrin is the past chair of the Association of Jewish Libraries’ Sydney Taylor Book Award Committee and serves on the Book Selection Committee for the PJ Library, a project of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. She created The Book of Life in December of 2005. "I've been a JBooks.com reader for year...

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST     🕮    This episode of The Book of Life, a show about Jewish people and the books we read, explores Jewish continuity. We'll hear from: ~ Alice Hoffman , best-selling author, about her new teen historical novel, Incantation ~ Abigail Pogrebin about her new book Stars of David , in which she interviews famous American Jews on their feelings about being Jewish ~ Steve Singer, founder of the contemporary Jewish a capella group LISTEN UP! ~ Leah Larson, the 15-year-old creator of the Jewish girls' magazine Yaldah

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST     🕮    This episode of The Book of Life, a show about Jewish people and the books we read, celebrates new beginnings. We'll hear from: Rahel Musleah , author of Apples and Pomegranates, a Family Seder for Rosh Hashanah and creator of the CD Hodu . Ken Gordon, editor of Jbooks.com , where The Book of Life will soon be broadcast. Brenda Ferber , first time author and winner of the Sydney Taylor Manuscript Award for Julia's Kitchen . We also celebrate our new sponsorship from the Association of Jewish Libraries , which promotes Jewish reading by supporting Judaic libraries and librarians.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST     🕮    This episode of The Book of Life, a show about Jewish people and the books we read, celebrates the power of storytelling. We'll hear from: Simms Taback , author/illustrator of the beloved classic Joseph Had a Little Overcoat and the new sensation Kibitzers and Fools   Karen Golden , storyteller, about her CD's Tales & Scales and Pass It On   Sharon Elswit, librarian at Rodeph Sholom and author of the award-winning Jewish Story Finder Gali Cooks, director of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation's literacy project, The PJ Library