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Episodes
Deep in the basement of congregation Sofer Shalom, there’s a dusty library that’s really the home of a magical portal to another world. Join siblings Miri and Micah as they explore a mysterious land, where stories come to life! Enjoy fairytales with unexpected twists and Jewish lessons as Miri, Micah, and their friends, encounter golems, book worms, giants and even talking animals! For full credits and accompanying activities, visit pjlibrary.org/podcast.
Episodes

Tuesday Feb 04, 2025
Season 4 Finale: A Royal Wedding
Tuesday Feb 04, 2025
Tuesday Feb 04, 2025
- Cinderella - Gwen D’Angelo
- Prince Charming - Mike D’Angelo
- Mr. Saifair – Gregory David Barnett
- Auntie PJ – Laura Rondinella
- Golem – Pat Bordenave
- Marion, The Not-So-Old Woman Who Lives in a Shoe - Tianna Tagami
- Dolores the Donkey – Alli Thresher

Tuesday Mar 25, 2025
Passover Playlist 2025
Tuesday Mar 25, 2025
Tuesday Mar 25, 2025
It's time for Passover! Settle in for a playlist full of stories featuring Passover traditions from all around the world.
In Humpty Dumpty and the Passover Feast we’ll visit Humpty Dumpty as he prepares to host the seder for the first time. Next we'll Chase Joha Through Passover to see how families all over celebrate and get ready for Passover. And finally, we’ll settle down for a lovely Passover seder in Mashal in a special Story for Another Time.
Credits
Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library.
Writers: Jan Schwaid, Petey Gibson
Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher; Associate Producer, Elizabeth Korelitz
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).
Humpty Dumpty and the Passover Feast
Cast
- Jacob – Cara Cabal Coniglio
- Evie – Sylvia Beth Schmitz
- Blue – Maya Aoki Tuttle
- Micah – Maxwell Glick
- Miri – Arianna Fox
- Auntie PJ – Madelaine Ripley
- Golem – Pat Bordenave
- Saifair – Tau Zaman
- Humpty Dumpty – John Henry Kurtz
- Hare – Daniel Amerman
- Goldilocks – Maya Aoki Tuttle
- Snow White – Laura Schreiber
- Chicken Little – Blair Which
Chasing Joha Through Passover
Cast
- Auntie PJ – Madelaine Ripley
- Evie – Samantha Philyaw
- Elijah – Nate DuFort
- Micah – Maxwell Glick
- Ms. Shouhed – Daniella Rabbani
- Farrah – Daniella Rabbani
- Joha – Ryan Abedi
- Mr. Fodor – Les Horovitz
- Catriella – Alli Thresher
Story for Another Time: Passover in Mashal
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 Woman in 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

Thursday May 01, 2025
National Storytelling Month Playlist
Thursday May 01, 2025
Thursday May 01, 2025
In honor of National Storytelling Month, the PJ Library team has put together a small selection of "stories for another time" from Beyond the Bookcase seasons 4 and 5. Enjoy!

Tuesday Jul 08, 2025
Golem Answers a Listener Question And Makes a Playlist
Tuesday Jul 08, 2025
Tuesday Jul 08, 2025
Beyond the Bookcase will return with new episodes this August! For now, enjoy a special note from Golem, a listener shoutout, and a playlist of our clay protector's favorite stories.
For full cast information and credits, please go to pjlibrary.org/podcast

Tuesday Aug 05, 2025
Emergency Alert! The Season 5 Premiere
Tuesday Aug 05, 2025
Tuesday Aug 05, 2025
Welcome back listeners! Today Chicken Little has a feeling, Bubbe has a vision, and Snow White has a handy solution. Join the crew as we learn about the mitzvah of visiting the sick in the Season 5 Premiere of Beyond the Bookcase.
Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library.
Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher
Writers: Jan Schwaid, Petey Gibson
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:
Chicken Little: Blair Which
Bubbe: Edrie
Evie: Samantha Philyaw
Micah: Maxwell Glick
Snow White: Laura Schreiber
Auntie PJ: Laura Rondinella
Various voices: Alli Thresher

Tuesday Aug 19, 2025
The Kids Prepare a Rosh Hashanah Seder
Tuesday Aug 19, 2025
Tuesday Aug 19, 2025
The kids pop over to Mashal to deliver some Rosh Hashanah cards (and try to cheer up Jacob). While Mama Bear and Mary Quite Contrary prepare for a seder, the kids learn all about the simanim, symbolic foods of Rosh Hashanah, and receive some perfect advice for starting the year off right.
Credits
Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library.
Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher
Writers: Jan Schwaid and Petey Gibson
Consultant: Rinat Hadad Siegel
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
- Blue: Maya Aoki Tuttle
- Auntie PJ: Laura Rondinella
- Jacob: Rebecca Lee
- Mama Bear: Yolanda Spearman
- Mary Quite Contrary: Journee LaFond