From the Lampert Library

On Passover, the Israelites gained their physical freedom. On Shavuot, they became a people with laws to guide them and goals to unite them. For thousands of years since, the Torah has been the centerpiece of Jewish identity. To some, the words go unchallenged; for others, the words are reinterpreted for each age. But Jews everywhere still revere and recognize the Torah and read it in some form weekly.

As we prepare to celebrate Shavuot in a few days, we should keep in mind the centrality of the Torah. Remember, Shavuot is more than blintzes.

Here are some books for Shavuot. Some are stories for children. Others are more serious. But, in the end, all center around the Torah.

A look through the library’s catalog will reveal many, many more books about the Torah, Biblical characters, and related topics.

J indicates books for young readers
Benjamin, Shuli and Me follows young Shuli through the first seven weeks of freedom to Mount Sinai. (J)

Cone, Who Knows Ten? is a collection of stories, each illustrating one of the Commandments. (J)

Dershowitz, The Genesis of Justice: ten stories of Biblical injustices that led to the Ten Commandments and modern law.

Feiler, Walking the Bible: a journey by land through the Five Books of Moses

Goldin, A Mountain of Blintzes or how cooperation saved the Shavuot blintzes. (J)

Goldman, Kopecks for Blintzes (J)

Hammer, Sisters at Sinai: new tales of Biblical women is based on legends.

Hoffman, The Bible’s Cutting Room Floor: the Holy Scriptures missing from your Bible

Korngold, Sadie and the Big Mountain (J)

Kugel, How to Read the Bible moves through the Bible explaining how modern scholarship enhances our view of the Bible.

Nerlove, The Ten Commandments for Jewish Children. (J)

Rand, The 613 is a collection of 613 paintings, each illustrating a mitzvah. Arresting illustrations.

Rouss, The Littlest Mountain explains how insignificant Mt. Sinai becomes the site of God’s gift?

Telushkin, Biblical Literacy is most of what an educated person needs to know about the Bible.

Topek, Ten Good Rules explains the Ten Commandments in simple preschool style.

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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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