Making Hanukkah Accessible for People Who are Blind, Low Vision, or Print Disabled

by Livia Thompson, JBI Executive Director

More so than ever this year, during our celebration of Hanukkah and its miracles, we are reminded how important it is that we work to build community and connections with one another. 

We invite you to learn more about JBI, an organization that connects individuals who are blind, have low vision, or are print-disabled with Jewish life and culture. JBI offers a wide range of Hanukkah-related accessible materials through its library, as well as liturgical materials to request or download and keep for free.

READING TOGETHER

JBI has a wonderful selection of accessible children’s Hanukkah books ready for you to borrow, free of charge, including:

• “Hanukkah at Monica's”
  by Varda Livney

  

  
  (Available in braille over print, large print with printed book accompaniment, and audio with printed book accompaniment) 
  Everyone loves Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival of lights—and no one loves Hanukkah more than Monica! That’s why Monica’s house is the place to be for a candle-lighting, dreidel-spinning, latke-frying good time. Octopi, jellyfish, and robots all agree!                 

• “The Hanukkah Cat”
  by Chaya Burstein

  

  
  (Available in audio format)
  On the first night of Hanukkah, a stray orange kitten appears and despite its mischievous antics endears itself to the family.

• “The Chanukkah Guest”
  by Eric A. Kimmel, illustrated by Giora Carmi

  

  
  (Available in audio format)
  Elderly Bubba Brayna is honored to serve the rabbi her renowned potato latkes, but when a bear shows up on the first night of Chanukkah instead of the rabbi, the nearly blind and deaf old woman does not notice the difference… 

• “The Littlest Candle: A Hanukkah Story”
  by Rabbi Kerry Olitzky and Rabbi Jesse Olitzky, illustrated by Jen Kostman

  

  caption...

  
  (Available in audio format)
  Little Flicker is always cheering his friends on with words of encouragement and support. But as the smallest candle in the box, why should he be chosen to be the shamash in the Hanukkah menorah? Isn’t the job of lighting all the other candles too big for him? As it turns out, it’s the size of your heart that matters, and in that department, Little Flicker is huge!

Hanukkah PRAYERS

JBI also has Hanukkah prayers and other free accessible materials available to all in audio, braille, and large print. Hard copies are available by contacting our librarians at library@jbilibrary.org or 212-532-7393 or audio, braille, and large print formats can be downloaded at www.jbilibrary.org/Hanukkah, including the following:

• Hanukkah Prayers Booklet (large print, English)

• Hanukkah Prayers Booklet (large print, Russian)

• Hanukkah Prayers (audio MP3, English)

• Hanukkah Prayers (digital talking book, English)

MORE WAY TO CONNECT

In addition to accessible texts for the Hanukkah holiday season, JBI has other offerings to bring people who are blind, have low vision, or are print-disabled from around the world together and to help them fully participate in their communities. 

• Virtual Book Groups: Join one of JBI’s new book discussion groups. For more information, please contact us at library@jbilibrary.org or 212-532-7393.  

• Custom Accessible Materials Requests: If you or a loved one are in need of something produced in accessible format to participate in Jewish life, learning, and community, JBI can create it in braille, audio, or large print formats for anyone unable to read standard print. Do not hesitate to reach out so that we can help. 

May your family feel the warmth of the Hanukkah candles this year as we all lean into the story of the miracle that took place in Israel long ago. 

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