PJ Library Presents: Beyond The Bookcase

Join PJ Library and Jewtina y Co for a special adventure through El Reino de lo Mistico - a magical new realm in Mashal teeming with Latin culture, music, and art. Learn about special Rosh Hashanah customs, dance through musical rain, and help Luna earn her stripes as an alebrije in this four episode special. Listen to the full story in one episode. Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library Episodes: Time To Explore El Reino De Lo MísticoA Great, Great, Great AdventureLa Sala De Orgullo (Hall of Cultural Pride) The Coquí Who Lost His ChirpWriters: Jan Schwaid and Jennifer StempelProduction: 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) Cultural Consulting: Sofía Friedman and Violeta Castro Stolpen on behalf of Jewtina y Co.CAST: Auntie PJ: Laura Rondinella Jacob: Rebecca LeeBlue: Maya Aoki Tuttle Luna: Belén MoyanoMr. Saifair: Gregory BarnettGolem: Pat BordenaveMami: Jasmine RomeroPapi: LD CastroPedro

Our adventure is almost done - but there's still more of El Reino de lo Místico to explore. Our adventurers meet Raul, a sad little coqui who has lost his chirp. Blue and Jacob know just how to help Raoul get his groove back, in time for a dance party in the musical rain! Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library Writers: Jan Schwaid and Jennifer StempelProduction: 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) Cultural Consulting: Sofía Friedman and Violeta Castro Stolpen on behalf of Jewtina y Co.CAST: Jacob: Rebecca LeeBlue: Maya Aoki Tuttle Luna: Belén MoyanoRaul: Elvis Di MarcantonioAlma: Sofia ZitaAuntie PJ: Laura Rondinella

While Jacob loves exploring this new area of Mashal, he's still pretty stressed about his school project. What should he write? What details are most important? A lively quetzal may have some answers... Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library Writers: Jan Schwaid and Jennifer StempelProduction: 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) Cultural Consulting: Sofía Friedman and Violeta Castro Stolpen on behalf of Jewtina y Co.CAST: Jacob: Rebecca LeeBlue: Maya Aoki Tuttle Luna: Belén MoyanoKiki: Robb Moreira

Supplies in hand and bellies full, Jacob and Blue follow Luna out into El Reino de lo Místico in search of a lost grape. It's part of a very important Rosh Hashanah tradition. Suddenly our crew finds themselves right in the middle of a monarch butterfly migration. Mari Posa and family help the kids take flight. Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library Writers: Jan Schwaid and Jennifer StempelProduction: 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) Cultural Consulting: Sofía Friedman and Violeta Castro Stolpen on behalf of Jewtina y Co.CAST: Jacob: Rebecca LeeBlue: Maya Aoki Tuttle Luna: Belén MoyanoMariposa: Amanda D'archangelisAnnouncer: LD Castro

Jacob and Blue head to the library for help with a school project, Jacob's "About Me" poster. Rather than steer them to the autobiographies, PJ recommends the kids check out a vibrant book about alebrijes and magical and mysterious things start to happen. Join Blue, Jacob, and new friend Luna in an adventure through El Reino de lo Místico. A special Beyond the Bookcase adventure created in partnership with Jewtina y Co. begins now. ¡Dale! Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library Writers: Jan Schwaid and Jennifer StempelProduction: 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) Cultural Consulting: Sofía Friedman and Violeta Castro Stolpen on behalf of Jewtina y Co.CAST: Auntie PJ: Laura Rondinella Jacob: Rebecca LeeBlue: Maya Aoki Tuttle Mr. Saifair: Gregory David Barnett Golem: Pat Bordenave Luna: Belén MoyanoMami: Jasmine RomeroPapi: LD CastroPedro: Luis E. Mora

PJ Library’s award-winning original podcast series Beyond the Bookcase returns to the PJ Library Presents podcast network with new episodes this August. The four-episode special is produced in collaboration with Jewtina y Co., a vibrant global community dedicated to celebrating, elevating, and expanding Latin-Jewish community while strengthening identity, leadership, and connection to Global Jewry. Listeners will meet new characters such as Luna, an alebrije, who leads fan favorites Blue and Jacob on a tour through El Reino de lo Místico, a new area in the magical realm of Mashal.

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: Samantha Philyaw 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

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

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

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. 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 PassoverWriters: 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 HabanotWriters: Jan Schwaid and Rinat Hadad SiegelCultu