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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 Nov 04, 2025
Tuesday Nov 04, 2025
November is Mizrahi Heritage Month - celebrating the culture and customs of Mizrahi Jews - those with heritage from around the Middle East, Southwest Asia and North Africa. In this playlist, listeners will attend a Persian Passover, celebrate Chag Habanot with the mermaids of Mashal, and prepare a special dish for Shabbat. To learn more and to find books featuring Mizrahi characters and stories, visit pjlibrary.org.
The background music in the intro is licensed through Epidemic Sound.
Episode Credits:
Chasing Joha Through Passover
Writers: Jan Schwaid, Petey Gibson
- 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
It's Chag Habanot
Writers: Jan Schwaid and Rinat Hadad Siegel
Cultural Consultant: Rinat Hadad Siegel
- Auntie PJ – Laura Rondinella
- Rapunzel – Daniella Rabbani
- Snow White – Laura Schreiber
- Marion, the not-so-old woman who lives in a shoe - Tianna Tagami
- Cinderella – Gwen D’Angelo
- Prince Charming – Mike D’Angelo
- Mr. Saifair – Gregory David Barnett
- Queenie (Queen Bee) – Niki Luparelli
- Mama Bear – Yolanda Spearman
- Mary Quite Contrary – Journee LaFond
- Mermaid – Yolanda Spearman
- Mermaid (last line) – Tianna Tagami
Spice Up Your Life
Writer: Jan Schwaid
Cultural Consultant: Rinat Hadad Siegel
- Auntie PJ – Laura Rondinella
- Elijah – Nate DuFort
- Goldilocks: Maya Aoki Tuttle
- Baby Bear – Rich Wentworth
- Mr. Saifair – Gregory David Barnett
- Mary Quite Contrary – Journee La Fond
Tuesday Dec 09, 2025
Tuesday Dec 09, 2025
Chag Sameach! Enjoy a Hanukkah gift from PJ Library: a curated playlist of stories just for you. Whether you enjoy these on the way to a gathering with friends or snuggled up enjoying the light of the candles, we wish all of our listeners a wonderful Hanukkah.
For more Hanukkah fun, download our free guide, A Time to Hope or visit pjlibrary.org/hanukkah.
Episode Credits
Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library.
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).
Tuesday Feb 03, 2026
Tuesday Feb 03, 2026
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
Tuesday Feb 17, 2026
Tuesday Feb 17, 2026
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
4 hours ago
4 hours ago
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