The William G. Braude Library
The Temple Beth-El library, named in memory of its founder, Rabbi William G. Braude, is one of the most distinguished synagogue libraries in America.
The library's holdings number more than 25,000 books and periodicals, including extensive shelves of children’s literature. The offerings include a diverse assortment of newspapers, periodicals, New York Times best-sellers, current fiction and non-fiction pertaining to Jewish issues or written by Jewish authors, as well as many scholarly and research treatises. It is at the center of Beth-El’s intellectual life and is used by our religious school students and the entire community. Its Hebrew and scholarly reference volumes are well-known to students of Brown University’s Department of Religious Studies.
Refurbished in 2008 with new furniture and comfortable chairs, the William G. Braude Library is a cozy and welcoming place to study, read, or browse the shelves for the newest book by your favorite Jewish author.
The William G. Braude Library is supervised by our professionally trained librarian, Reinhard Silverman.
Library NEWS
Hanukkah Tales Galore !
Later in this Jewish month of Kislev ( on the evening of the 24th of Kislev,5772, corresponding to the evening of Dec.20, 2011), we will begin the 8- day-long celebration of Hanukkah, every Jewish child’s favorite holiday. Here, in your Braude Library of Temple Beth-El, we have many, many books explaining the holiday and/or telling stories that take place at and during the week of Hanukkah. I have noticed that these books are popular year round, and are borrowed at any time of year, even during the summer. I will highlight some of the perennially popular books so that you can come in and borrow some of them to read to your children or grandchildren while the holiday candles are burning bright.
Books for younger readers:
Adler, David A. “ Happy Hanukkah rebus”. New York, 1989.
A story told in rebus format ( text interspersed with illustrations) that tells the history that underlies our celebration of Hanukkah. A book that lends itself to an interactive telling of the story. Another book by the same author, “ A Picture Book of Hanukkah’ , which explains, in simple language, the history behind the holiday, is suitable for elementary school visits during Hanukkah. .
Cleary, Brian P. “ “Eight Wild Nights: a Family Hanukkah Tale”. Minneapolis, MN, 2006.
A humorous telling, in verse, of the eight fun and disaster-filled nights of celebrating Hanukkah with a large extended family.
Costa, Deborah da. “Hanukkah Moon”.
When Isobel visits her Aunt Luisa at Hanukkah, she has a wonderful time and learns some new ways to celebrate this special holiday in the Sephardic (Spanish Jewish) tradition.
Glaser, Linda. “ Mrs. Greenberg’s messy Hanukkah”.
When Rachel makes latkes with her neighbor and friend, Mrs. Greenberg, the project turns out to be very messy indeed, but ends in a joyous Hanukkah celebration. Readers will also enjoy the author’s earlier story involving Rachel “The borrowed Hanukkah latkes”.
Greene, Jacqueline Dembar. “Nathan’s Hanukkah bargain”. Rockville, MD, c1986.
Nathan’s unsuccessful search for a Hanukkah menorah takes a new turn when his grandpa teaches him about old-fashioned bargaining. A beautiful story of a close and warm relationship between grandfather and grandson, written by a Boston author.
Kimmel, Eric. “Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins”. New York, 1989.
This is the most popular children’s book in our library. The combination of the celebration of Hanukkah in an eastern European shtetl , one hundred years ago, with the slightly dangerous, Hallowe’en-like atmosphere created by the presence of supernatural goblins, bent on wrecking the town’s observance of Hanukkah, is irresistible to children, both boys and girls. The suspenseful text is accompanied by gorgeous illustrations by the late Trina Schart Hyman.
Other popular Hanukkah books in our library, by the same author, include: “The Chanukah Guest” ; “The Magic Dreidels”, “Asher and the Capmakers”,
Kimmelman, Leslie. “The Runaway Latkes”. Morton Grove, IL, c2000.
When three potato latkes escape Rebecca Blooms frying pan, everyone, including the cantor, the rabbi, and the mayor, joins in the chase.
Krulik, Nancy: “Is it Hanukkah yet?” New York, c2000.
A Step into Reading book , with large, colorful illustrations and large print easy-reading text, showing a family about to celebrate the first night of the holiday.
Rauchwerger, Diane. “Dinosaur on Hanukkah.”Minneapolis, MN, 2005.
A dinosaur comes to a young boy’s house to join him in celebrating Hanukkah.
Rosen, Michael. “ Chanukah Lights everywhere”.New York, c 2001.
A young boy counts the candles on the family menorah, and the lights he sees in the world around him, on each night of Hanukkah.
Readers will also enjoy the author’s other Hanukkah books: Our Eight Nights of Hanukkah “ and “Elijah’s Angel: a story for Chanukah and Christmas”.
Rouss, Sylvia: “ Sammy Spider’s First Hanukkah”. Rockville, MD, c1993.
One of a series of books featuring Sammy, the Spider, who lives, with his mother, in the Shapiro household, Having watched the Shapiro family celebrate several nights of Hanukkah, Sammy finds that in the end he can share the holiday with them.
Schotter, Roni. “Hanukkah”. Boston, c1990.
Describes the meaning and traditions of Hanukkah as five children, and their family, celebrate the holiday.
Topek, Susan Remick. “A Turn for Noah”. Rockville, MD, c1992.
Noah has trouble learning to spin the dreidel as his nursery school class celebrates Hanukkah.
Ziefert, Harriet. “What is Hanukkah?”.New York, 1994.
A simply written lift-the flap book that explains the background and celebration of Hanukkah in few words and large pictures.
Zwerin, Raymond A. “ Like a Maccabee”. New York, 1991.
A short retelling of the Hanukkah story, focusing on the character of the Maccabees, and how kids today can be like them.
Books for older readers:
Burns, Marilyn. “ The Hanukkah Book” . New York, 1981.
An informative and lively guide to why and how Hanukkah is celebrated. It shows many ways to celebrate the holiday, including songs, recipes, and arts and crafts projects. The last section of the book is a frank discussion of Christmas and Hanukkah , the so-called “December Dilemma’ and the issues that raises for a Jewish teenager or .family.
Chaikin, Miriam. “ Light Another Candle: the story and meaning of Hanukkah”. New York, 1981.
This book retells the story of Hanukkah and explains its symbols by describing important points in Jewish history, worship and culture. It includes details of customs, foods, gifts and other traditions , as well as a glossary and pronunciation guide of Yiddish and Hebrew words.
Cohn, Janice.” The Christmas Menorahs: How a Town fought Hate”. Morton Grove, IL, c1995.
A story, based on real events that took place in Billings, Montana, during Hanukkah, tells how two children, their families, and an entire community stood together to fight anti-Semitic acts in their own town.
Heller, Esther Susan. “ Menorah under the Sea”. Minneapolis, MN,c2009.
This beautifully photographed story tells of the adventures of marine biologist, David Ginsberg, as he studies the sea creatures that live in the dark and cold of the Antarctic, and creates an underwater menorah out of starfish and sea urchins , to celebrate Hanukkah.
Jaffe, Nina.” In the month of Kislev.” New York, 1992.
A rich, arrogant merchant takes the family of a poor peddler to rabbinical court and learns a lesson about the real meaning of Hanukkah. An evocative story that let’s you almost smell, along with the poor children, the latkes sizzling in the frying pan.
Kimmel, Eric A. “ The Jar of Fools: Eight Hanukkah stories from Chelm”.”New York,c2000.
Dawing on traditional Jewish folklore, these Hanukkah stories relate the antics of the people of Chelm, thought – perhaps mistakenly- top be a town of fools. These stories are entertaining - a great read for each night of Hanukkah.
Two other compilations, in our library, of Hanukkah stories by Eric Kimmel, are perfect for reading out loud during Hanukkah: “ A Hanukkah Treasury”, New York, 1998, and “ The Spotted Pony: a Collection of Hanukkah Stories” New York, 1992.
Krensky, Stephen. “ Hanukkah at Valley Forge”.Minneapolis, MN, c2009.
During the grim winter at Valley Forge, a Polish born, Jewish soldier tells General Washington about Hanukkah, as he is observed by the General while lighting his Hanukkah candles. Washington draws parallels between the Maccabees’ war against their Greek foes, with the American war against British overlords.
Koss, Amy Goldman. “How I saved Hanukkah”. New York, 1998.
Marla, the only Jewish student in her fourth-grade class, wishes she celebrated Christmas, like her best friend ,Lucy, until one year, when she decides to learn all about Hanukkah and teach her family about it, too..
Lamstein, Sarah Marwil. “Letter on the Wind : a Chanukah Tale”. Honesdale, PA, c2007.
Based on a folktale told by Jews from Tunisia. When there is no oil for Chanukah, Hayim, the poorest man in the village, sends God a letter asking for help.
Levine, Arthur A. “ All the Lights in the Night”. New York, c1991.
Moses and his little brother Benjamin find a way to celebrate Hanukkah during their dangerous emigration from Russia to Palestine , alone.
Miller, Deborah Uchill. “The Modi’in Motel: an Idol Tale for Chanukah.” Rockville, MD, c1986.
A humorous retelling of the Hanukkah story, in rhyme, showing how the women and children left behind in their village of Modi’in, were the real heroes of the Maccabean revolt. Great fun for adults and children when read aloud.
Polacco, Patricia. “ The Trees of the Dancing Goats”. New York, 1996.
During a scarlet fever epidemic one winter in Michigan, a Jewish family helps make Christmas special for their sick Christian neighbors by making a Hanukkah miracle of their own.
Schram, Peninnah. “ The Chanukah Blessing”. New York, c2000.
A mysterious visitor rewards a poor family for showing him hospitality on the fifth night of Hanukkah. A beautiful tale by a wonderful storyteller.
Schuman, Burt E. “ Chanukah on the Prairie”. New York, c2003.
Written by a former student rabbi at a synagogue in Grand Rapids, North Dakota, and based on true events. This story follows the journey of the Zalcmans as they emigrate from their shtetl in Eastern Europe and go to Ellis Island and ultimately to Grand Forks, ND, where they celebrate their first Chanukah in a new land.
Schur, Maxine Rose. “ The Peddler’s Gift”. New York, c1999.
A young Jewish boy in rural Russia , about 100 years ago, learns that appearances are often deceiving , after he steals a dreidel from the traveling peddler, Shnook.
Schwartz, Cherie Karo.” My Lucky Dreidel: Hanukkah Stories, Songs, Poems Crafts, Recipes, and Fun for Kids”. New York, c1994.
This beautiful compilation is a complete guide and entertainment book for all eight nights of Hanukkah. Enjoy!
To everyone, but especially to children of ALL ages, a HAPPY, HAPPY HANUKKAH, filled with beautiful books!
