Hanukkah is a holiday that honors and celebrates the power of community and faith— and belief in the possibility of good even in times of despair. For many of us, this year has felt as if there was nothing to celebrate, and yet, we are reminded in Judaism that there is always hope for miracles, both big and small.
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JBI’s mission is to connect anyone who is looking to find meaning and purpose in Jewish life and practice with accessible materials, programs, and community. We continue to focus on providing audio, braille, and large print texts of Jewish interest, and connecting people who are blind or have low vision or a print disability to the joys of Jewish life. As we move toward the Festival of Lights, after a difficult year, we want to be a joyful and meaningful gathering place and resource center. We want to provide ways to minimize the sense of isolation and bring people together.
We are fortunate that our Jewish calendar provides a path for warming our souls and our hearts with the rituals of lighting the hanukkiah, eating latkes, spinning dreidels, and singing. At JBI, we have many ways for people to connect and to get accessible Hanukkah-related materials. We have created two special programs, one in person and one on Zoom, so everyone can participate and share the joy this holiday.
You can find Hanukkah prayers, audio recordings, and special materials by going to our website, https://jbilibrary.org/chanukkah. We have children’s and adult books and holiday related materials available in audio, braille, and large print:
Hanukkah Reads
“The Power of Light: Eight Stories for Hanukkah” by Isaac Bashevis Singer (audio)
Eight inspirational tales--one for each night of the Hanukkah celebration--tell of a world in which miracles abound, love triumphs, and faith prevails.
“Hanukkah Book” by Harriet Marcus (audio)
A comprehensive account of the history and traditions of Hanukkah from gifts to food to celebrations.
For Families & Children
“K’Tonton in the Circus: A Hanukkah Adventure” by Sadie Rose Weilerstein (audio) The fanciful adventures of a thumb-sized Jewish boy named K’Tonton, who joins the circus by mistake and teaches his new friends about Hanukkah. Weilerstein’s classic 1930s children’s series featuring K’Tonton were some of the first Jewish children’s stories to be written in English, first appearing in magazine form. They still delight today.
“The Hanukkah Play” by Robert Garvey (braille)
Twins Rachel and David are angry. Again, this year Miss Keene gave them “baby” roles in the Hanukkah play, so they decide to act out the play themselves at home for their family —with unexpected and amusing results.
“Judah Who Always Said ‘No!’” by Harriet K. Feder (braille)
"No," said Judah Maccabee, when the Syrian king wanted him to change his name. "No," he said again, when ordered to pray to strange gods. Judah's defiance helped the Maccabees to victory. Only after the miracle of Hanukkah, did Judah finally say, "Yes."
“Light Another Candle: The Story and Meaning of Hanukkah” by Miriam Chaiken (large print)
In this children’s book, Chaiken explains the Hanukkah story and the variety of modern ways that Jews observe the holiday.
We want to remind readers that JBI’s programming goes beyond specific holiday programs and there are other wonderful ways to participate fully with accessible materials:
Beyond the Booth: Exploring the Dynamic Between Author and Narrator
Tuesday, December 10, 4:30 pm ET
Via Zoom
Friends and collaborators author Elinor Lipman and audiobook narrator Piper Goodeve kibbitz over working together on Lipman’s books (“The Inn at Lake Devine” and forthcoming “Every Tom, Dick & Harry”) and the nuances that arise when recording books with Jewish content. Sure to be as fun as it is informative, you won’t want to miss this insider’s look at the art of audiobooks. Register for free through Zoom. Request “The Inn at Lake Devine” by contacting our librarians at library@jbilibrary.org or 212-545-8025.
In Case You Missed It: Walking the Narrow Bridge: Jewish Poetry as a Path of Resilience
On November 9, poets Ed Hirsch and Jessica Jacobs joined Central Synagogue’s Rabbi Sivan Rotholz live in NYC to kick off JBI’s poetry series with a reading and discussion on how poetry can be a tool of resilience in this time of transformation, anxiety, and possibility. “The community in Judaism, the humor of Judaism, the humanity of poetry.... This is where poetry steps in,” said Hirsch. “Poetry speaks to our inner lives almost better than anything else.” A recording of this wonderful program is now available online. The second part of our poetry program will be on Tuesday, January 21, at 4:30 pm ET, via Zoom. It will have ASL and accessible materials. Register for free at https://jbilibrary.org/catalog/jewish-poetry-workshops/.
Featured Jewish Poetry Reads
“Walking the Narrow Bridge: JBI Program Poetry” (audio)
This special compilation recorded as a supplement to our Jewish poetry series program features poet Jessica Jacobs reading from her book “Unalone” (Four Way Books, 2024) and poet Ed Hirsch reading a selection of poems from his books.
“National Cold Storage Company” by Harvey Shapiro (large print)
Although his career in publishing often overshadowed his poetry, this collection of new and selected poems—spanning 30 years of Shapiro’s life exploring American Jewish identity, family, New York City, and love—reveal just how excellent a poet he is.
“There is No Place Without You: Poems by Maya Bernstein” (audio)
These poems challenge and speak truth to our fears and joys, navigating a complex intimacy and distance we experience as humans striving to connect to ourselves, one another, and to the forces that act upon us in the world.
To learn more about JBI’s wide array of services and offerings, please visit JBI’s website at www.jbilibrary.org, call 212-545-8025, or email library@jbilibrary.org. All of our services are free for individuals who qualify. For institutions, JBI charges a modest fee to cover the cost of production for those located outside of New York City. Within NYC, nonprofits can receive some materials free of charge, thanks to an accessibility grant serving NYC.
