Notes From the Lampert Library

Tisha B’Av-the 9th of Av- is a solemn fast day commemorating the destruction of both the first and second temples in Jerusalem: the first by the Babylonians in 586 BCE; the second by the Romans in 70 CE.

So it seems appropriate to highlight books about Jerusalem and the Temple as we approach this day.

Especially for young readers but good for everyone:

Fisher, The Wailing Wall, now called the Western wall, has story going back thousands of years. Spare prose and evocative pictures done in grey, black and white tell the story.

Kuskin, Jerusalem, Shining Still relates the story of the ancient city in a simple narrative marched with verse and golden woodcuts.

Roseman, The Tenth of Av tells the story of the besieged city and the choices its citizens can make in this book filled with choices that the reader makes.

Schwartz, Next Year in Jerusalem: 4000 Years of Jewish Stories is filled with folktales, fairy tales, rabbinic and Hasidic legends centered on the historic city.

Waldman, The Golden City: Jerusalem’s 3000 Years tries to explain what has drawn people to this site for so many years.

Yolen, O Jerusalem is a beautifully illustrated poetic tribute to the city on its 3000th birthday.

For adult readers:

Bellow, To Jerusalem and Back: A Personal Account resulted from the award winning author’s visit to the city in 1975.

Collins,  O Jerusalem is the classic story of the fight for the city that took place in 1948 during the Israeli war of Independence.

Elon. Jerusalem: City of Mirrors is an interpretative biography of this complex city.

Lev, The Traveler’s Guide to Jerusalem is an older but still valuable guide featuring detailed descriptions of the holy places in Jerusalem.

Many other books about holidays, Jerusalem, and Israel are available on the Lampert Library’s shelves.

The library’s collection is now (partially) on line. Go to alm.hl.scoolaid.net/bin/home for access to the catalog. New items are being entered every day.

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Aileen Grossberg

Aileen Grossberg, a professional librarian, is a long-time congregant and serves as volunteer librarian for Shomrei's Lampert Library. The library, one of the best-kept secrets at Shomrei is used by the Rabbi, congregants, students and teachers of the JLC (Hebrew School) and Preschool. It's a tremendous resource completely supported by your donations and gifts. Aileen also heads the Shomrei Caterers, the in-house food preparation group. Can there be any better combination…good food and good books!

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