Kaufman Silverberg Library

Are You There, Readers? How Judy Blume Became a Literary Icon

Join a fascinating virtual conversation with acclaimed author and journalist Mark Oppenheimer as he discusses his new biography, JUDY BLUME: A Life—the first deeply researched portrait of the beloved author behind classics like Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.

Drawing from exclusive access to Judy Blume’s private papers and 100+ original interviews, Mark will explore Blume’s groundbreaking impact on literature and her rise to becoming a global literary icon.

🎤 Mark will be joined in conversation by Molly Tolsky, Editorial Director, Culture & Lifestyle at 70 Faces Media.

📅 Thursday, May 14
🕕 6:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM CT
💻 Online via Zoom

📖 Interested in reading before the event? The Kaufman Silverberg Library has a copy of JUDY BLUME: A Life available in our collection! Check it out before joining the discussion.

Register to receive the Zoom link and reminder emails:

Are You There, Readers? How Judy Blume Became a Literary Icon Thursday, May 14 at 6 pm ET We are excited to invite you to an upcoming discussion featuring acclaimed author and journalist Mark Oppenheimer. We will be diving into his highly anticipated new biography, JUDY BLUME: A Life, which offers the first deeply researched portrait of the legendary literary....

🚑 Join us today for a fun and meaningful children’s activity at the library!

In honor of Israel Independence Day (Yom Ha’atzmaut), and in cooperation with Magen David Adom, we’re hosting an interactive storytime and activities all about emergency helpers.

🗓 Today – April 22, 2026
⏰ 6:00–7:00 PM

Come play, learn, and celebrate with us!
No registration required.

Pick up a copy of the book from our library, read it, and join the conversation.
https://www.nureads.org/

Happy to Allegra Goodman's highly-anticipated new novel, THIS IS NOT ABOUT US. 🥳 Click to read more about this stunning work and be sure to sign up for as Allegra's book is shipping out today! https://bit.ly/4a5B2JU

Snag your signed edition and special goodies here! https://bit.ly/3JnwvrG

https://form.jotform.com/260555137599266

B'nai B'rith Manitoba is launching a creative writing competition for high school students on the theme of kindness, inclusion, and diversity. More info here: https://www.bnaibrith.ca/diverseminds/ #2026

The Association of Jewish Libraries Fiction Book Award winners have been announced! Have you read any of these titles yet? Check our catalogue and place a hold today.

Mazel tov to all the 2026 AJLJewish Fiction Award honorees!

More about the winning and honor books at https://jewishlibraries.org/jewish-fiction-award/

Discover award-shortlisted fiction and children’s books from the 75th National Jewish Book Awards - powerful stories that celebrate Jewish life, history, and imagination. Borrow a title from our library and start reading today!

Our upcoming children’s program at the library will take place on Thursday, January 8 at 4:30 pm.
The theme of the program will be Northern Lights, and we’re looking forward to a fun and engaging program.
We still have space available. Please contact the library to register.

A special YU Library Book Talk with Gila Pfeffer, author of Nearly Departed, as she shares her powerful and darkly humorous story of resilience. The library now has a copy of this book available for borrowing—don’t miss it!

YU Library Book Talk | NEARLY DEPARTED: Adventures in Loss, Cancer, and other Inconveniences By the time she was thirty, Gila Pfeffer was the oldest living member of her family, having lost her mother to breast cancer and her father to colon cancer. A blood test...

https://preview.mailerlite.io/emails/webview/77704/171872157392962994
The library has a copy of the book "Gursha : timeless recipes for modern kitchens, from Ethiopia, Israel, Harlem, and beyond / by Beejhy Barhany with Elisa Ung.
"In Gursha, which loosely translates to "the act of feeding one another," acclaimed chef and restaurateur Beejhy Barhany shares the food of the Beta Israel, Ethiopian Jews. Born in Ethiopia, Barhany fled to Sudan with her family at age four, en route to Israel. She later settled in Harlem, where she became chef and owner of Tsion Café. In Gursha, she tells her story through more than 100 dishes from her restaurant, her family, and her travels—ranging from doro wot and shakshuka to Injera Fish Tacos and Queen of Sheba Chocolate Cake. The book also introduces readers to Ethiopian Jewish rituals, holidays, and milestones, and offers the first major cookbook focused on the food of the Beta Israel.

Beejhy Barhany is an Ethiopian-born and Israeli-raised chef and activist who has called Harlem home for the past 20 years. A proud Ethiopian, a proud Jew, and a proud Black woman, she celebrates her vast heritage through the food and events at Tsion Café, and loves sharing this rich culture with her community."

Free Event: Qesher Book Club: Gursha - Tuesday, November 25 In Gursha, which loosely translates to "the act of feeding one another," acclaimed chef and restaurateur Beejhy Barhany shares the food of the Beta Israel, Ethiopian Jews. Born in Ethiopia, Barhany fled to Sudan with her family at age four, en route to Israel. She later settled in Harlem, where she....

Our next monthly Thursday evening Story Time sessions are coming up! If you’d like to join us for a cozy time of books and fun, please contact us to register. Spots are limited, so don’t wait! Gray Academy of Jewish Education