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PJ Library Presents: Beyond The Bookcase: Daily Summaries Delivered
by PJ Library
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!
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- Mar 17, 202616 min
A Very Mashal Bat Mitzvah
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
- Mar 3, 202613 min
To Bee or Not to Bee: A Shavuot Story
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
- Feb 17, 20261h 13m
Marion’s Mashal Adventures
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
- Feb 3, 202615 min
Mr. Saifair’s New Golem
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
- Dec 9, 202533 min
Hanukkah Playlist (Re-air)
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).
- Nov 4, 202547 min
Mizrahi Heritage Month Playlist
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. Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library. Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher 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: 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
- Oct 14, 202517 min
Bonus Episode: Golem Meets a Monster Hunter
Hi listeners! While the Beyond the Bookcase team works on the second half of Season 5, we have a very special bonus episode: a chat with a real-life monster expert! Join Golem and producer Alli as they sit down with Jack Zaientz from JewishMonsterHunting.com. If your children are into monsters, magic, and folklore, this episode features a creative look into the background of some of the creatures and characters living in the magical land of Mashal. This episode was written by Alli Thresher and Jack Zaientz. You can check out Jack and John Baltisberger's podcast for grown-ups at https://waywardchildren.buzzsprout.com Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library Opening Theme Song: Written by Peter Moore and Alli Thresher. Arranged by Peter Moore. Performed by Mister G (vocals) and Peter Moore (instruments) More for kids who love monsters and folklore: Jewish Picture Books for Kids Who Love Monsters Og Goes Rogue: A Modern Folktale About Og the Giant (mentioned in the show) Meet the Land of Mashal's Farmer Serach in the Season 2 finale
- Sep 30, 202511 min
The Three Little Pigs and the Very Tall Community Sukkah
It's Sukkot in Mashal - what could be more fun? Join Miri and Micah as they are welcomed into the community sukkah by Zev, Farmer Serach, and some very boisterous little piggies. To learn all about sukkot - and figure out how to build your very own teeny tiny sukkah like Miri and Micah, head to pjlibrary.org/sukkot. Credits: Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library. Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher Writers: Petey Gibson and Jan Schwaid 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 Micah – Maxwell Glick Miri – Arianna Fox PJ - Laura Rondinella Famer Serach -- Daniella Rabbani Various little pigs -- Alli Thresher
About PJ Library Presents: Beyond The Bookcase
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!
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