Name: Session IX -- Uniting Together: Using Universal Jewish Themes, Values and Mitzvot Across the Calendar
Start: 2024-06-26T10:45:00-0700
End: 2024-06-26T12:15:00-0700

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Session IX -- Uniting Together: Using Universal Jewish Themes, Values and Mitzvot Across the Calendar

Librarians and educators have a unique opportunity to engage students and families for learning opportunities. With this presentation, we will demonstrate ways to incorporate Jewish values, themes, and mitzvot based on the calendar in order to highlight the universality of each across religion, culture, and holidays. Throughout the year, we have the opportunity to connect these concepts to occasions such as Earth Day, Women’s History Month, Mental Health Month and more. Participants will look at books through the lens of values, mitzvot, and themes, and receive sample extension activities that illuminate actionable ways to engage students with both Jewish and secular titles.

Speakers

Liza Wiemer

YA Author, Penguin Random House

Liza Wiemer is an award-winning educator with over twenty years of teaching experience. Her second novel, The Assignment, has received 12 honors, including being named a Sydney Taylor Notable Book. To date, The Assignment has also been translated to Russian, Polish, Italian, and Korean... Read More →

Michal Babay

Michal Babay is a former teacher and elementary school resource specialist. She is the author of I'm a Gluten Sniffing Service Dog, The Incredible Shrinking Lunchroom, and On Friday Afternoon. Michal lives in California with her husband, three kids, three dogs, one cat, and a bearded... Read More →

Lisa Gerin

Temple Emanu-El

Lisa Gerin is a former school librarian and high school teacher with a master’s degree in education. She had a satisfying career working with children, teaching reading and writing to grades PreK through 12 in New York and New Jersey. She writes creative nonfiction, usually STEM... Read More →

Lauren Kerstein

Lauren H. Kerstein is an author and psychotherapist. She is represented by Deborah Warren with East/West Literary Agency. Lauren writes pictures books through young adult books. She is a developmental editor and ghost writer. Lauren's books are infused with SEL, heart, and a bit of... Read More →

Charlotte Offsay

Charlotte Offsay is a picture book author living in Los Angeles with her husband and two children. She is the author of Eight Sweet Nights, A Festival of Lights, illustrated by Menahem Halberstadt (Doubleday Books for Young Readers, 2024), The Quiet Forest, illustrated by Abi Cushman... Read More →

Ellen Leventhal

Ellen Leventhal is an author and educator in Houston, TX. She is the author of four picture books, including Debbie's Song: The Debbie Friedman Story which has been named by Tablet Magazine as one of the top Jewish children’s books of 2023. Aside from her picture books, Ellen’s... Read More →

Moderators

Martha Simpson

Librarian, Author, past STBA chair

I am a retired children's librarian and served as chair of the 2022 and 2023 Sydney Taylor Book Award Committees. I'm the author of The Dreidel That Wouldn't Spin and Esther's Gragger. My new picture book, A Ring for a King, will be published in 2025. I will be moderating the Uniting... Read More →

Wednesday June 26, 2024 10:45am - 12:15pm PDT
Point Loma

SSCPL

Audience SSCPL

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Association of Jewish Libraries 2024 Conference San Diego