PJ Library Presents: Beyond The Bookcase

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Mysterious things are happening in Auntie PJ‘s Library! Join siblings Miri and Micah on their adventures through the magical land of Mashal, where stories come to life, with a Jewish twist!

PJ Library


    • Sep 10, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 19m AVG DURATION
    • 44 EPISODES
    • 1 SEASONS


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    Latest episodes from PJ Library Presents: Beyond The Bookcase

    A Fairytale Feud

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2024 13:36


    Snow White just wants to host a delightful Rosh Hashanah get together, but the three little kittens and the three little pigs are having one big disagreement. Will they ever forgive each other?   Episode Credits: Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library.   Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher; Associate Producer, Elizabeth Korelitz Story Editor: Alli Thresher Writers: 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). Snow White – Laura Golem – Pat Bordenave Mr. Saifair - Gregory David Barnett PJ - Laura Rondinella Elijah – Nate DuFort Kitten 1 - Malcolm Villaverde Kitten 2 - Molly Villaverde Kitten 3 - Blair Which Pigs 1, 2, 3 – Rich Wentworth

    2024 Purim Playlist

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2024 50:33


    Purim is a holiday that feels like it's made for families. Traditions include dressing up, sharing gift baskets or mishloach manot with friends, making noise by shaking groggers, and staying up late with your friends and community. People do tzedakah and also read the Book of Esther, or megillah, which shares the story of how the Jews of Persia were saved from annihilation. Experience Purim with the characters of Beyond the Bookcase in this special playlist episode. 

    Season 3 Finale

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2024 18:25


    Sorry, but we're not gonna spoil the season finale right here, so don't expect this to tell you if the kids catch elusive Joha, save Sofer Shalom, or finally get to hear PJ and Elijah's long-held secret story. You'll just have to listen.   Episode Credits: Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library.   Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher; Associate Producer, Elizabeth Korelitz Story Editor: Petey Gibson 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: Elijah - Nate DuFort Evie - Samantha Philyaw Auntie PJ - Laura Rondinella Miri - Arianna Fox Jacob - Caro Cabal Coniglio Blue - Maya Aoki Tuttle Micah - Maxwell Glick Troll - Peter Moore Joha - Ryan Abedi

    Story For Another Time: A Not So Big Bad Wolf's First Shabbat

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2024 16:25


    The kids want Auntie PJ and Elijah to finally tell all about their legendary treasure hunt, but the grownups try to skirt the subject with “A Story For Another Time.” This one delves into lovable Zev's first holiday in Mashal.   Episode Credits: Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library.   Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher; Associate Producer, Elizabeth Korelitz Story Editor: Petey Gibson 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: Elijah - Nate DuFort Evie - Samantha Philyaw Auntie PJ - Laura Rondinella Miri - Arianna Fox Jacob - Caro Cabal Coniglio Blue - Maya Aoki Tuttle Micah - Maxwell Glick Golem - Pat Bordenave Pig 1 - James Gracik Pig 2 - James Gracik Pig 3 - James Gracik Zev - Walter Alice Sickert Joha - Ryan Abedi

    Joha in the Woods

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2024 11:19


    The kids are playing an epic game of pretend in the woods when they're interrupted by none other than Joha! What's he up to now?   Episode Credits: Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library.   Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher; Associate Producer, Elizabeth Korelitz Story Editor: Petey Gibson 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: Jacob - Caro Cabal Coniglio Evie - Samantha Philyaw Blue - Maya Aoki Tuttle Micah - Maxwell Glick Miri - Arianna Fox Joha - Ryan Abedi Auntie PJ - Laura Rondinella    

    Story for Another Time: Passover in Mashal

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2024 21:44


    Passover in Mashal is as enchanting as you'd expect. But who hosts the best seder, Cinderella or Snow White? Follow Auntie PJ and Elijah as they seder-hop through Mashal in this “Story For Another Time.” Episode Credits: Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library. Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher; Associate Producer, Elizabeth Korelitz Story Editor: Petey Gibson 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: 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

    Chasing Joha Through Passover

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2024 16:54


    It's the Passover episode! Learn about Passover traditions from around the world as the kids continue their globe-trotting search for Joha.   Episode Credits: Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library. Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher; Associate Producer, Elizabeth Korelitz Story Editor: Petey Gibson 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: 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

    Shabbat Playlist

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2023 52:26


    Each Friday evening, families around the world begin the celebration of Shabbat. For many, the evening includes favorite foods, company for dinner, special songs, and blessings. This week, we have a playlist featuring stories all about Shabbat.  If you like what you hear, be sure to visit our other shows, just search PJ Library to find more Shabbat stories and much more.

    Story For Another Time: The Butcher, the Baker, and the Candlestick Maker

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2023 17:18


    The kids enjoy hearing another “Story For Another Time.” This one involves the butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker. Auntie PJ and Elijah collaborate on a tale about collaboration, and how it makes for the perfect Shabbat. They'll talk about the Jewish value of… upcycling? But it's unclear if PJ and Elijah will ever talk about treasure.

    A Special Hanukkah Message from PJ Library

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2023 3:00


    A special Hanukkah message from PJ Library. Hanukkah begins in the evening tonight (or, depending on your time zone, may have already started) and runs through December 15, 2023. This year, PJ Library encourages all of our listeners to "share the light" by participating in Project Menorah.  To learn more about Project Menorah, visit www.projectmenorah.com.  Music credits: “Stars in the Night” by Megan Wofford, licensed via Epidemic Sound

    Joha Does a Mitzvah?!

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2023 11:59


    It's the season of Jewish heroes. Everyone is in the library getting ready for Purim when the kids discover a clue from Joha. Find out where the magic atlas will take them this week, how good PJ's French accent is, and how many jelly beans Elijah can eat. To learn more about the Jewish holiday of Purim, visit pjlibrary.org/purim.  

    Playlist: Sharing Family Traditions

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2023 85:17


    Right now, you might be on a long car or airplane ride, or maybe you're snuggling in a nice comfy blanket fort. Today we're bringing you a playlist of stories about sharing special family traditions. Enjoy!

    A Story For Another Time: Cinderella's New Kicks

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2023 16:19


    New this season, it's Stories for Another Time. PJ and Elijah regale the kids with an only-partly familiar fairy tale featuring Cinderella, Prince Charming, a High Holidays party, and a new pair of shoes.

    Joha, a Donkey, and a Missing Skateboard

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2023 14:01


    Jacob is busy teaching Blue how to land an ollie when his skateboard goes missing. This has to be the work of Joha. Miri, Blue, and Jacob join PJ and Elijah as the game begins. Join them as they try to find Joha, find Jacob's skateboard, and find out if pizza is allowed in the library.

    Meet Joha: The Season 3 Premiere

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2023 16:55


    Our heroes are back in this world and ready to head home – but there's someone they don't recognize with Auntie PJ, and someone else being kind of mysterious! The kids must embark on an epic game of hide and seek to save the library.

    Preview: Radio Chitaika Episode 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2023 1:31


    Want to hear the full episode? Just search "Radio Chitaika" wherever you listen to podcasts. Series premieres late October. 

    Coming Soon: Radio Chitaika

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2023 0:20


    Premiering this fall -- a new podcast from PJ Library Presents! Radio Chitaika features folk tales, beloved books, and Jewish stories, read aloud in Russian or Ukrainian by talented readers such as Gera Sandler, Marsha Pruss, Angelina Statyeva and more! Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. 

    Bonus Episode: Auntie PJ (sort of) Answers Your Questions

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2023 3:37


    Welcome to our last summer bonus episode. Today we're (attempting) to catch up with Auntie PJ to ask the hard-hitting questions: Is food allowed in the library? What does Auntie PJ do when she's not at Sofer Shalom? What was she like as a kid? Listen in as we attempt to learn more about our favorite international woman of mystery turned librarian.  Season 3 of PJ Library Presents: Beyond the Bookcase, premieres in October 2023.

    Bonus Episode: Catching Up With Mr. Saifair

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2023 2:59


    What has everyone's favorite bookworm been up to since we last heard from him? Find out in today's bonus episode! Have a question for Mr. Saifair, his brother Dafi, or any of our other characters? Leave us a voicemail at pjlibrary.org/podcast.

    Bonus Episode: A Chat With Golem

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 4, 2023 3:32


    Listen in as we chat with our buddy, the Mayor of Mashal, Golem! What has he been up to lately? Does he have any hobbies? How old is he? All of this and more in today's bonus episode.  Who will we catch up with next? Stay tuned... 

    Bonus Episode: Listener Questions

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2023 4:33


    Today we're answering questions from you: our listeners! Tune in this summer for bonus content including character interviews, sneak previews, and more. Beyond the Bookcase returns with a new season in the fall.  Want to send us a voicemail? Visit https://tinyurl.com/pjpodcasts to leave one. 

    Bonus: The Shavuot Playlist

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2023 36:18


    Shavuot is coming up! Learn more about this important -- and super kid-friendly holiday -- with a playlist of episodes about Shavuot from across our network. Visit pjlibrary.org/shavuot for book lists, recipes, and more to help you celebrate your first Shavuot. 

    Bonus: 2023 Passover Playlist

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2023 57:56


    Miri, Micah, and all of their friends will be back for Season 3 this fall. In the meantime, enjoy a playlist full of Passover-themed episodes from across our network of shows. Set the seder table with Kiddo and Mimi, cook up a feast with Humpty Dumpty, search for the afikomen with a pirate, and more!  Learn more at pjlibrary.org/passover -- and don't forget, you can download a free Haggadah too!

    Mending Mashal: The Season Finale

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2023 23:15


    It's the Season 2 finale! Wild creatures are running all over the place. What WAS on Serach's farm? And what's the deal with that goat? All will be revealed in the stunning conclusion.

    Wishful Wings: The Greatest and Most Amazing

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2023 17:01


    It's the second to last episode of Season 2! Myrtle the turtle is ready to FLY! But is it the right thing to do, both morally and … aerodynamically? Blue uses their new superpower to teach Myrtle about respecting differences.  To learn more about the Jewish value of kavod, respect, visit pjlibrary.org/values.

    Drop the Beat: No, Seriously, Please Drop It

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2023 18:21


    The Mashal musicians are in disarray and making a lot of noise, and not the cool alternative music kind of noise. It's too loud, it's cacophonous, it's downright unpleasant! Can the kids help?

    Reunited: Peter, Peter Needs a Pie?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2023 16:20


    The kids find someone they've been searching for. But there's no time to sit and swap travel tales – something is still not right in Mashal. Does the mysterious Serach know what's up?

    Chelm's Order: A Slice of Heaven and Some Powdered Eggs

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2022 16:20


    Chelm seems to be returning to not-normal, which is great. The kids just need to help one wanderer home from a long trip to nowhere. And, there's one thing missing: Dafi Saifair's brilliant Mumu!

    Bonus: Hanukkah Playlist

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2022 33:24


    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.

    Major Renovation: Bring in the Borscht Barrels!

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2022 15:34


    The shul doors are, once again, broken. And the kids are ready to fix more of Chelm. And by “fix,” we mean totally mess everything up. Put on your unicycle helmet and enjoy.

    Welcome to Chelm: Wait, What is This Place?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2022 18:36


    The kids discover Chelm, a very grey part of Mashal that's both confusing and confused, if that makes any sense, which it wouldn't in Chelm. And … Mr. Saifair has a brother?!?

    Behold: Beauty In the Eye of the Ugly Duckling

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2022 11:51


    A very handsome swan is in distress - and who is nearby? Why it's Golem! Can the kids help their friend return to his lovely clay self?

    Thank Goodness: Princesses and Perspective

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2022 16:45


    Cinderella and Rapunzel welcome the kids to stay for the night in their tiny cabin. Cinderella clears the air about her bonus mom, Rapunzel gets a new 'do, and everyone learns about the Jewish value of Hakarat Hatov – recognizing the good.

    Fancy This: Three Lost Kittens and a Season Premiere

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2022 12:41


    The kids and Mr. Saifair come up with a plan to save Mashal and rescue Golem from his destructive path. On that path, our friends find three particularly posh kittens whose unprotected paws have left them stranded in the woods. Learn all about the Jewish value of returning lost objects in the season 2 premiere episode of Beyond the Bookcase.

    Season 1 Finale!

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2022 21:37


    In this season finale of Beyond the Bookcase, things go beyond berserk! The kids arrive at the library but it's eerily quiet and Auntie PJ is NOWHERE to be found. They discover they can now enter the land of Mashal at will. But when they arrive, it's no longer just a quest to find Auntie PJ, but a mission to save the Golem and ALL their fairytale friends too. Thanks for coming along on this season's adventure! Stay tuned for new episodes this fall. 

    It's No Rules Day!

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2022 19:39


    It's Shavuot and the kids have arrived in the mystical land of Mashal to find things in chaos! It seems Zev and several of his fairytale friends have introduced the idea of a day with NO RULES. The kids already have their hands full helping to get things back in order, and then Mr. Saifair takes drastic measures, aiming to get Mashal under control ... with no children allowed ever again! Learn more about the holiday of Shavuot at pjlibrary.org/shavuot.

    Humpty Dumpty and the Passover Feast

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2022 24:25


    A tomato and dairy shortage is threatening to cancel the annual matzah pizza cookoff, and Auntie PJ is freaking out! The kids are whisked away to the land of Mashal where Humpty Dumpty is about to crack under the pressure of hosting his first seder. The kids get help from all their fairytale friends (and even Mr. Saifair) to pick up the Passover pieces and help Humpty keep it together.

    The Big Bad Wolf and the Purimspiel

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2022 22:55


    It's time for the purimspiel, the annual performance telling the story of Purim. The kids are trying to decide which characters everyone will play but they can't get Jacob to settle on a role. Once again transported to the land of Mashal, they meet Bubbe and a not-so-bad wolf named Zev. He's having his own trouble finding his role in Mashal's Purim carnival. They'll all have to work together to help both Zev and Jacob pick the perfect part.

    Chicken Little's Havdalah Walk

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2022 23:40


    The kids come to the library for a Pajama Havdalah event, but their upcoming move has Blue feeling more stressed than blessed. Whisked away to the fantastic land of Mashal, the kids run into Chicken Little, who can relate to Blue's fear of change. She's upset about Shabbat coming to an end. A Havdalah walk through Mashal is just what this group needs in order to learn that endings open the door for sweet new beginnings.

    Goostav and the Beanstalk

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2022 18:38


    Auntie PJ is teaching the kids about hashavat aveidah, the Jewish commandment about returning lost objects to their rightful owners. Transported to the mystical land of Mashal, they find their fairy tale friend Jack. He's recovering from a frisbee golf injury, so he needs the kids' help doing some hashavat aveidah of his own. He has to return a certain golden goose, and its rightful owner is a pretty BIG deal in the land of Mashal. Featuring special guest voice Matt Gutman. 

    Goldilocks and the Tzedakah Project

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2021 20:20


    A new friend named Jacob joins the kids to help Auntie PJ gather donations for people in need. But since this is no ordinary synagogue library, this tzedakah mission takes a detour to the mysterious land of Mashal. That's where Goldilocks and Baby Bear happen to be working on some good deeds of their own! The kids end up on a tzedakah adventure, offering help to other fairy tale characters along the way.

    Jack Be Nimble: A Hanukkah Story

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2021 21:26


    Miri, Micah, and their two friends thought they were headed to the synagogue library to help Auntie PJ prepare for Hanukkah. Instead, they're swept into a surprise holiday journey, mystically transported to the land of Mashal. They arrive to discover the annual Festival of Lights is in jeopardy. Jack, the high-jumping star of the show, is too afraid to do his big Hanukkiah stunt. Jack may be nimble, but he'll need serious help from the kids if he's also going to be brave.

    The Tortoise and the Hare: A Shabbat Story

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2021 19:27


    Welcome to Beyond the Bookcase - a new series from PJ Library! Siblings Miri and Micah are visiting the eccentric synagogue librarian, Auntie PJ, when they are suddenly whisked away to a magical world full of fairytale characters. What does the old story of the tortoise and the hare have to do with Shabbat? Are Golems made to announce sporting matches? Will anyone help Chicken Little with her socks? Find out during the premiere episode of Beyond the Bookcase. New episodes drop every month--subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts to follow the story.

    Introducing Beyond the Bookcase

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2021 1:18


    Mysterious things are happening in Auntie PJ's library! Join siblings Miri and Micah as they journey to the land of Mashal, a magical place where stories come to life (with a Jewish twist).  Subscribe to Beyond the Bookcase to listen to new episodes each month. pjlibrary.org/podcast

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