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

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).

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.

• 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

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

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

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)

• Micah – Maxwell Glick
• Miri – Arianna Fox
• PJ - Laura Rondinella
• Famer Serach -- Daniella Rabbani
• Various little pigs -- Alli Thresher

Hi Listeners,

Did you know that it’s almost time for Rosh Hashanah? The Beyond the Bookcase team sends your family wishes for a High Holiday season and new year full of love, health, happiness, and (of course) great Jewish stories – just like the Rosh Hashanah-themed ones in this playlist.

For more ideas - and to download our free holiday guide, visit pjlibrary.org/RoshHashanah Shanah Tovah!

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)

A Fairytale Feud (cast):

• 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

The Kids Prepare a Rosh Hashanah Seder

• Evie: Samantha Philyaw
• Blue: Maya Aoki Tuttle
• Auntie PJ: Laura Rondinella
• Jacob: Rebecca Lee
• Mama Bear: Yolanda Spearman
• Mary Quite Contrary: Journee LaFond

Turnaround Teshuva

• Evie: Samantha Philyaw
• Auntie PJ: Laura Rondinella
• Jacob: Rebecca Lee
• The Saifairs: Gregory David Barnett
• Golem – Pat Bordenave

Evie and Jacob are getting on each other's nerves--to save their friendship, Auntie PJ sends the kids on an errand to Mashal. Come along as Mr. Saifair, Golem, and special guest, Dafi Saifair, help the kids make amends, and return to their best selves in the new year.

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:

• Evie: Samantha Philyaw
• Auntie PJ: Laura Rondinella
• Jacob: Rebecca Lee
• The Saifairs: Gregory David Barnett
• Golem – Pat Bordenave

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