PJ Library Presents: Beyond The Bookcase

Join PJ Library and Jewtina y Co for a special adventure through El Reino de lo Mistico - a magical new realm in Mashal teeming with Latin culture, music, and art. Learn about special Rosh Hashanah customs, dance through musical rain, and help Luna earn her stripes as an alebrije in this four episode special. Listen to the full story in one episode.

 

Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library

Episodes:
Time To Explore El Reino De Lo Místico
A Great, Great, Great Adventure
La Sala De Orgullo (Hall of Cultural Pride) 
The Coquí Who Lost His Chirp

Writers: Jan Schwaid and Jennifer Stempel

Production:

Executive Producer: Alli Thresher

Digital Production Coordinator: Megan Bagala

Audio Editing, mixing, mastering and score: Peter Moore, Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA

Opening Theme Song: Written by Peter Moore and Alli Thresher. Arranged by Peter Moore.

Performed by Mister G (vocals) and Peter Moore (instruments)

Cultural Consulting: Sofía Friedman and Violeta Castro Stolpen on behalf of Jewtina y Co.

CAST:
Auntie PJ: Laura Rondinella

Jacob: Rebecca Lee

Blue: Maya Aoki Tuttle

Luna: Belén Moyano

Mr. Saifair: Gregory Barnett

Golem: Pat Bordenave

Mami: Jasmine Romero

Papi: LD Castro

Pedro: Luis E. Mora

Mariposa: Amanda D'archangelis

Announcer: LD Castro

Raul: Elvis Di Marcantonio

Alma: Sofia Zita

Our adventure is almost done - but there's still more of El Reino de lo Místico to explore. Our adventurers meet Raul, a sad little coqui who has lost his chirp. Blue and Jacob know just how to help Raoul get his groove back, in time for a dance party in the musical rain!

 

Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library

Writers: Jan Schwaid and Jennifer Stempel

Production:

Executive Producer: Alli Thresher

Digital Production Coordinator: Megan Bagala

Audio Editing, mixing, mastering and score: Peter Moore, Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA

Opening Theme Song: Written by Peter Moore and Alli Thresher. Arranged by Peter Moore.

Performed by Mister G (vocals) and Peter Moore (instruments)

Cultural Consulting: Sofía Friedman and Violeta Castro Stolpen on behalf of Jewtina y Co.

CAST:

Jacob: Rebecca Lee

Blue: Maya Aoki Tuttle

Luna: Belén Moyano

Raul: Elvis Di Marcantonio

Alma: Sofia Zita

Auntie PJ: Laura Rondinella

While Jacob loves exploring this new area of Mashal, he's still pretty stressed about his school project. What should he write? What details are most important? A lively quetzal may have some answers...

 

Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library

Writers: Jan Schwaid and Jennifer Stempel

Production:

Executive Producer: Alli Thresher

Digital Production Coordinator: Megan Bagala

Audio Editing, mixing, mastering and score: Peter Moore, Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA

Opening Theme Song: Written by Peter Moore and Alli Thresher. Arranged by Peter Moore.

Performed by Mister G (vocals) and Peter Moore (instruments)

Cultural Consulting: Sofía Friedman and Violeta Castro Stolpen on behalf of Jewtina y Co.

CAST:

Jacob: Rebecca Lee

Blue: Maya Aoki Tuttle

Luna: Belén Moyano

Kiki: Robb Moreira

Supplies in hand and bellies full, Jacob and Blue follow Luna out into El Reino de lo Místico in search of a lost grape. It's part of a very important Rosh Hashanah tradition. Suddenly our crew finds themselves right in the middle of a monarch butterfly migration. Mari Posa and family help the kids take flight.

 

Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library

Writers: Jan Schwaid and Jennifer Stempel

Production:

Executive Producer: Alli Thresher

Digital Production Coordinator: Megan Bagala

Audio Editing, mixing, mastering and score: Peter Moore, Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA

Opening Theme Song: Written by Peter Moore and Alli Thresher. Arranged by Peter Moore.

Performed by Mister G (vocals) and Peter Moore (instruments)

Cultural Consulting: Sofía Friedman and Violeta Castro Stolpen on behalf of Jewtina y Co.

CAST:

Jacob: Rebecca Lee

Blue: Maya Aoki Tuttle

Luna: Belén Moyano

Mariposa: Amanda D'archangelis

Announcer: LD Castro

Jacob and Blue head to the library for help with a school project, Jacob's "About Me" poster. Rather than steer them to the autobiographies, PJ recommends the kids check out a vibrant book about alebrijes and magical and mysterious things start to happen. Join Blue, Jacob, and new friend Luna in an adventure through El Reino de lo Místico. A special Beyond the Bookcase adventure created in partnership with Jewtina y Co. begins now. ¡Dale!

 

Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library

Writers: Jan Schwaid and Jennifer Stempel

Production:

Executive Producer: Alli Thresher

Digital Production Coordinator: Megan Bagala

Audio Editing, mixing, mastering and score: Peter Moore, Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA

Opening Theme Song: Written by Peter Moore and Alli Thresher. Arranged by Peter Moore.

Performed by Mister G (vocals) and Peter Moore (instruments)

Cultural Consulting: Sofía Friedman and Violeta Castro Stolpen on behalf of Jewtina y Co.

CAST:

Auntie PJ: Laura Rondinella

Jacob: Rebecca Lee

Blue: Maya Aoki Tuttle

Mr. Saifair: Gregory David Barnett

Golem: Pat Bordenave

Luna: Belén Moyano

Mami: Jasmine Romero

Papi: LD Castro

Pedro: Luis E. Mora

PJ Library’s award-winning original podcast series Beyond the Bookcase returns to the PJ Library Presents podcast network with new episodes this August. The four-episode special is produced in collaboration with Jewtina y Co., a vibrant global community dedicated to celebrating, elevating, and expanding Latin-Jewish community while strengthening identity, leadership, and connection to Global Jewry.

Listeners will meet new characters such as Luna, an alebrije, who leads fan favorites Blue and Jacob on a tour through El Reino de lo Místico, a new area in the magical realm of Mashal.

One of Marion’s kids is getting ready for her Bat-Mitzvah, but she’s so nervous. The kids are there to help – along with special guests Cinderella and Prince Charming. For more about preparing to have a bar or bat mitzvah, head to pjlibrary.org/blog for expert advice and tips from Rabbi Rebecca Rosenthal. 

 

Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library 

Writers: Jan Schwaid and Petey Gibson 

Production: 

Executive Producer: Alli Thresher 

Digital Production Coordinator: Megan Bagala 

Audio Editing, mixing, mastering and score: Peter Moore, Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA 

Opening Theme Song: Written by Peter Moore and Alli Thresher. Arranged by Peter Moore. 

Performed by Mister G (vocals) and Peter Moore (instruments) 

 

CAST: 

Auntie PJ: Laura Rondinella 

Micah: Maxwell Glick 

Miri: Arianna Fox 

Blue: Maya Aoki Tuttle 

Evie: Sylvia Beth Schmitz 

Jacob: Rebecca Lee 

Mr. Saifair: Gregory David Barnett 

Marion: Tianna Tagami 

Shoshana: Lori Hoch Stiefel 

Golem: Pat Bordenave 

Cinderella: Gwen D’Angelo 

Charming: Michael D’Angelo 

Blue is feeling a little let down by their friends this week – can a trip to Mashal, and a chat with Queenie and Mr. Saifair help?

 

Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library 

Writers: Jan Schwaid and Petey Gibson 

Production: 

Executive Producer: Alli Thresher 

Digital Production Coordinator: Megan Bagala 

Audio Editing, mixing, mastering and score: Peter Moore, Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA 

Opening Theme Song: Written by Peter Moore and Alli Thresher. Arranged by Peter Moore. 

Performed by Mister G (vocals) and Peter Moore (instruments) 

 

CAST: 

Blue: Maya Aoki Tuttle 

Micah: Maxwell Glick 

Jacob: Cara Cabal Coniglio 

Auntie PJ: Laura Rondinella 

Mr. Saifair: Gregory David Barnett 

Queenie: Niki Luparelli 

You know her, you love her – she's Marion, the not-so-old woman who used to live in a shoe. Sometimes she still does... mostly she lives in a giant pumpkin with her many MANY children. Season 5 has a special surprise in store for our friend Marion, so let’s take a walk down memory lane through some of her most memorable episodes. Enjoy!  

 

And don’t forget to leave PJ Library Presents: Beyond the Bookcase on your favorite podcast platforms. 

 

Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library. 

Production: Producer, Alli Thresher; Digital Coordinator, Megan Bagala 

Audio editing, mixing, mastering, and score: Peter Moore, Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA 

Opening Theme Song: Written by Peter Moore and Alli Thresher. Arranged by Peter Moore. 

Performed by Mister G (vocals) and Peter Moore (instruments). 

 

Episode credits:  

Goldilocks and the Tzedakah Project: 

Writers: Jan Schwaid, Petey Gibson 

Cast 

• Micah – Maxwell Glick 

• Miri - Arianna Fox 

• Jacob - Cara Cabal Coniglio 

• Evie - Sylvia Beth Schmitz 

• Blue - Maya Aoki Tuttle 

• Auntie PJ – Madelaine Ripley 

• Golem - Pat Bordenave 

• Mr. Saifair – Tau Zaman 

• Goldilocks - Maya Aoki Tuttle 

• Baby Bear - Rich Wentworth 

 

Story for Another Time: Passover in Mashal 

Writers: Jan Schwaid, Petey Gibson 

Cast 

• Miri - Arianna Fox 

• Evie - Samantha Philyaw 

• Blue - Maya Aoki Tuttle 

• Jacob - Caro Cabal Coniglio 

• Joha - Ryan Abedi 

• Elijah - Nate DuFort 

• Auntie PJ - Laura Rondinella 

• Micah - Maxwell Glick 

• Mr. Saifair - Gregory David Barnett 

• Marion, the Woman in the Shoe - Tianna Tagami 

• Chicken Little - Blair Which 

• Snow White - Laura Schreiber 

• Golem - Pat Bordenave 

• Cinderella - Gwen D'Angelo 

• Humpty Dumpty - John Henry Kurtz 

• Dolores the Donkey - Alli Thresher 

 

Mermaid Murmurs 

Writers: Jan Schwaid, Petey Gibson 

Cast 

• Elijah – Nate DuFort 

• Rapunzel – Daniella Rabbani 

• Mr. Saifair – Gregory David Barnett 

• Kid/Daughter – Alli Thresher 

• Junie the Mermaid – Yolanda Spearman 

• Prince Charming – Mike D'Angelo 

• Cinderella – Gwen D'Angelo 

• Marion the Not-So-Old Woman Who Lives in a Shoe – Tianna Tagami 

 

Golem's Challah 

Writers: Jan Schwaid, Petey Gibson 

Cast 

• Auntie PJ – Laura Rondinella 

• Elijah – Nate DuFort 

• Marion, the Not-So-Old Woman Who Lives in a Shoe – Tianna Tagami 

• Kids 1,2,3 - Alli Thresher 

• Golem – Pat Bordenave 

• Don Swan – LD Castro 

Rules are important – but are they fixed? Are there ever circumstances where a rule can or should be broken? Are there ways to reinterpret rules, even if they’ve been around for a very long time? The kids explore these questions with Queenie, Golem, and… another Golem?!  

 

Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library 

Writers: Jan Schwaid and Petey Gibson 

Production: 

Executive Producer: Alli Thresher 

Digital Production Coordinator: Megan Bagala 

Audio Editing, mixing, mastering and score: Peter Moore, Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA 

Opening Theme Song: Written by Peter Moore and Alli Thresher. Arranged by Peter Moore. 

Performed by Mister G (vocals) and Peter Moore (instruments) 

 

CAST: 

Evie: Samantha Philyaw 

Micah: Maxwell Glick 

Auntie PJ: Laura Rondinella 

Golem: Pat Bordenave 

Golem 2.0: Pat Bordenave 

Queenie: Niki Luparelli