PreviousEvents

2011 - 2012

September 19, 2011 - Indoctrination and Imagination in Early Israeli Children's Literature: The Case of HaSaMBaH. Presented by Dr. Yaffa Weisman, Director of The Frances-Henry Library, Adjunct Associate Professor Modern Jewish Studies, Hebrew Union College-JIR, Los Angeles. One of the most popular and most influential children's adventure books in Israel in the 50s and 60s was HaSaMBaH (an acronym for Havurat Sod Muhlat Be-HeHlet = The Gang of the Ultimate Secret), authored by Igal Mosehnzon. A group of teenage boys and girls set out to secretly assist adults intent on ousting the British and setting up the modern State of Israel. This series had a lasting impact as evident in its recent revival in Israel. @ Sinai Temple Blumenthal Library. Host: Lisa Silverman.

2010 - 2011

May 16, 2011 - Annual Meeting - "Sweet Memories of Seattle -- A Convention Retrospective." Presenting not only last year's fabulous programs at the Seattle AJL convention but also a sneak preview of some of the plans for next year's AJL convention in Los Angeles. @ Valley Beth Shalom Library. Host: Susan Dubin.

March 7, 2011 - Brainstorming session: Programming and ideas for the 2012 AJL convention in Los Angeles. Brainstorming Session @ Stephen S. Wise Temple Library, Los Angeles 90077. Host: Roberta Lloyd.

February 7, 2011 -- "Know From Whence You Came?" How to explore and access major genealogical resources at the renovated Los Angeles Family History Library (http://www.lafhl.org). Also, Jewish Genealogical Society of Los Angeles (http://jgsla.org) resources available at LAFHL. Speakers: Richard McBride, LAFHL Director; Barbara Algaze, JGS-LA Librarian. @ LAFHL (Mormon Temple), West Los Angeles.

November 1, 2010 -- "Jewish Book Month 2010 - The Lastest and Greatest Jewish Books." Members brought two new books of Jewish interest to share for a fun round table discussion and social get-together. AJLSC distributed two new AJLSC Jewish Book Month brochures -- for adults and children -- compiled by Sinai Blumenthal Library and Ellen G. Cole of Temple Isaiah Library. @ Valley Beth Shalom Library -- Host: Susan Dubin.

October 4, 2010 -- Following a brief AJLSC meeting, the program was presented: A Culinary History of Jews in America" based on the "Astrological Signs of the Delicatessen," an interesting 45-minute multimedia presentation by Seth Front. Culinary books and cookbooks were passed around. Two bibliographies were distributed: Seth Front's "Jewish Food Books," and Lisa Silverman's list of 72 books -- (search terms "Cookery" and "1998-2010") -- found in the Sinai Temple Blumenthal Library. The program was held in the Library of Yeshiva University of Los Angeles Girls School, 1619 S. Robertson, Los Angeles, California 90035. Host: Sarah Sagal.

2009 - 2010

May 17, 2010 -- AJLSC Annual Meeting. Program: "Bridge over the Wadi" - a documentary film about a group of Jewish and Arab parents who establish a bi-national, bi-lingual grade school. Screening @ Stephen S. Wise Temple, Diener and Kadner Families Library, 15500 Stephen S. Wise Drive, Los Angeles 90077. Host: Roberta Lloyd.

Professional Development:

April 18, 2010 -- "Monsters and Miracles: A Journey Through Jewish Picture Books" -- Annual Western Regional Conference: Jewish Literature for Children. Skirball exhibit - panel discussion - silent auction - book sale - autographing by local authors. Continental Breakfast; Lunch. Manuscript consultation available. @ Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 North Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049 - (310) 440-4500 AND @ American Jewish University, 15600 Mulholland Dr., Bel Air, CA 90077 - (888) 853-6763. Co-sponsored by Sinai Temple Blumenthal Library, Association of Jewish Libraries, AJLSC, and the Jewish Community Library at the American Jewish University. See Program for details.

February 22, 2010 -- Maggie Anton, award-winning author of the Rashi's Daughters series. @ Valley Beth Shalom Library in Encino. Host- Susan Dubin.

December 14, 2009 -- Peter Manseau, author of Songs for the Butcher’s Daughter - a novel based on some of the author's experiences at the Yiddish Book Center, Amherst, MA. The author, a "lapsed Catholic" has won awards for this novel about the Yiddish language and culture: 2008 National Jewish Book Award, 2009 Sophie Brody Medal for Outstanding Achievement in Jewish Literature by the American Library Association, 2009 Harold U. Ribalow Prize of Hadassah Magazine. He also wrote two non-fiction books: A memoir, Vows: The Story of a Priest, a Nun, and Their Son; and most recently Rag and Bone: A Journey Among the World's Holy Dead. Book sales and book signing. @ a private home in Beverly Hills.

October 19, 2009 -- Lois Rose Rose, artist and author of Seeing Solomon's Knot -- a lost symbol from King Solomon's time. Tour of artifacts and examples of Solomon's Knot through her narrated slide show and examples on display in her artifact-laden home. @ the home of Lois Rose Rose in Cheviot Hills, CA.

2008 - 2009

May 13, 2009 -- AJLSC Special Event -- our end of the school-year general meeting for members and the community.
Program: (1) Presented 2009 Dorothy Schroeder Memorial Award to Lisa Silverman (Director of Sinai Temple Blumenthal Library). (2) Guest speaker - Rabbi David Wolpe of Sinai Temple and author of Why Faith Matters. (3) Announcement of AJLSC Scholarship Awards to the July AJL Convention in Chicago. (4) Introduction of new and continuing AJLSC Board members, selected by our AJLSC Directors. (5) Donation by AJLSC members of books to the Los Angeles Public Library and County of Los Angeles Public Library. @ Sinai Temple, 10400 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90024.

February 11, 2009 -- Old Stuff or Archives - What's the Difference? Panel: Adaire Klein, Director of Library & Archival Services, Simon Wiesenthal Center-Museum of Tolerance; Susan March, AJLSC Archives Committee Chair; Dr. Yaffa Weisman, Library Director, Hebrew Union College-JIR. @ YULA Girls High School Library, 1619 South Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles 90035 - 310.203.0755.

Professional Development:
February 1, 2009 -- Annual Western Regional Conference: Jewish Literature for Children. "Exploring the Holocaust Through Children's Literature." Guest speakers include Dr. Hamida Bosmajian (Seattle University), Prof. Eric Sundquist (UCLA), Adaire Klein (Simon Wiesenthal Center), and educators Lisa Silverman and Richard Freydman. Breakout sessions, marketplace, book sale, and tour. @ Simon Wiesenthal Center - Museum of Tolerance, 9786 Pico Blvd., Los Angeles 90035. Conference Co-Chair: Susan Dubin at 818.886.6415 and Lisa Silverman at lsilverman@sinaitemple.org. To view full Conference Program, click here. Review of Program in Publisher's Weekly magazine. Bibliography of Illustrated Books on the Holocaust prepared by Lisa Silverman, Library Director, Sinai Temple Library. And for a sampling of photos, click here.

December 10, 2008 -- Celebration of Jewish Book Month. Guest speaker: Leonard Felder, Ph.D., author of Fitting In is Overrated: The Survival Guide for Anyone Who Has Ever Felt Like an Outsider. (Dr. Felder used Jewish wisdom to provide useful answers; helpful in libraries, schools, groups, families.) Book signing. For a summary of the presentation, click here. @ Valley Beth Shalom Synagogue, Sheila Sporn Library, Encino, CA 91436.

September 24, 2008 - Dr. Yaffa Weisman spoke on "Israel at 60: Literary and Cultural Trends." Dr. Weisman is Library Director of the Frances-Henry Library, and Adjunct Associate Professor of Modern Jewish Studies, at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. @ Hebrew Union College, Frances Henry Library, Los Angeles 90007 - 213.749.3424.

2007 - 2008

May 15, 2008 - Bob Dylan's American Journey, 1956-1966 (exhibit). Private tour led by Adele Lander Burke, Skirball's VP, Learning for Life, and Rick Burke (AJLSC VP). Annual donation of extra books to the Los Angeles Public Library and the County of Los Angeles Public Library. Presentation of AJLSC Dorothy Schroeder Award, as AJL 2008 Convention subsidies. @ Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles 90049.

March 12, 2008 - Lisa Silverman, Library Director of Sinai Temple Blumenthal Library -- Private tour of the newly renovated and refurbished premiere Los Angeles synagogue/day school library. Sharing of new acquisitions by Abigail Yasgur and Susan Dubin. @ Sinai Temple, Los Angeles 90024.

Professional Development:

February 17, 2008 -- "Focus on Illustration" -- Jewish Literature for Children -- 4th Western Regional Conference. (full day) Co-chair: Susan Dubin and Lisa Silverman. Program and photos forthcoming. See flyer.

January 9, 2008 - "LAUNCH! Your Ticket to an Evening of Brilliant Library Ideas!" Colleagues -- Judy Cohn, Ellen Cole, Susan Dubin, Adaire Klein, and Lisa Silverman -- shared their best library ideas! @ Library of Yeshiva of Los Angeles Girls High School, Los Angeles 90035; host - Librarian Rayna Clark.

November 14, 2007 -- Dinah Berland, poet, editor, and author, spoke about her book, Hours of Devotion: Fanny Neuda's Book of Prayers for Jewish Women, the first full-length book of Jewish prayers written by a woman for women. Book Sale and Book Signing by Book Events and Authors Unlimited. @ Stephen S. Wise Temple Library, Los Angeles. [Read Summary] [View Photos]

2006 - 2007

May 14, 2007 -- Award-winning author: Susan Goldman Rubin, spoke on "Using the past to write your next book: Primary sources can be a powerful and evocative way to reach people in your writing!" Book Signing, and Book Sale by Book Events and Authors Unlimited
AJLSC Annual Meeting: (1) Introduction of 2007-2009 AJLSC Directors, Officers, and Chairpeople. (2) AJLSC Dorothy Schroeder Award presentation to Mark Lamken, attorney for our AJLSC incorporation. (3) Donation of books to Los Angeles Public Library and County of Los Angeles Public Library.
@ Simon Wiesenthal Center/Museum of Tolerance Library and Archives, Los Angeles.

March 12, 2007 -- Author Dr. Jody Myers, spoke on "Peeking Behind the Curtain: Kabbalah in America Before the Kabbalah Centre." Dr. Myers is Professor of Religious Studies at California State University, Northridge, and Director of the Jewish Studies Interdisciplinary Program. @ Jewish Community Library of Los Angeles, Los Angeles.

Professional Development:
February 4, 2007 -- "2007: Focus on Young Adult/Teen Literature." Jewish Literature for Children, 4th Western Regional Conference.   (full day)   Co-chair: Susan Dubin and Lisa Silverman.    (See: Flyer, Program)
    • Linda Silver - Guest Moderator of Panel Discussion and Instructor of "Survey of Jewish Literature for Children" (handout) Silver is Past President, AJL's Synagogue, School, & Center Division, Editor of the New Jewish Valuesfinder, and author of Jewish Classics for Kids.
    • Panel Discussion and Breakout Sessions with Authors: Sarah Littman, Debra Garfinkle, Dana Reinhardt, Simone Elkeles, and with Linda Silver on "Controversial Jewish Books for Teens" (handout).
    • Autograph and Dessert Party with Featured Authors.
    • Jewish Literature for Children Marketplace and Book Sale - Vendors: Book Events and Authors Unlimited, Magnet Mogul, Mook and Blanchard, Mrs. Nelson's Book Fair
            Co-sponsored by AJL, AJLSC, and Sinai Temple. @ Sinai Temple, Los Angeles.

January 8, 2007 --
Susan Goldman Rubin was rescheduled for May 14, 2007. Substitute last-minute program - Ellen Cole on Children's Literature.

November 13, 2006 -- Bibliographic Adventures in the United Arab Emirates, Israel, and Argentina Presented by David Hirsch, Jewish and Middle Eastern Studies Librarian, UCLA. David spoke and showed slides about his recent trip to Argentina and the Buenos Aires Yiddish Conference, his May 2006 Israel trip collecting publications from Jewish, Muslim, Druze, Christian, and Bahai communities, and his experiences training Iraqi librarians during the past two summers. @ UCLA, Charles Young Research Library (YRL), Los Angeles 90024 -- First floor - Room 11348 - Presentation Room.

September 18, 2006 -- Israel: Small Country, Big Ideas. Presented by Susan Dubin, Library Consultant. Power Point Slide Show - written by Wendy Lewis, of Learn Israel. Handout on Lesson Plans and Bibliography was prepared by Susan Dubin. These resources and more may be found on the "Learn Israel" website -- Lesson Plans -- Recommended Links. @ Valley Beth Shalom, Sheila Sporn Library, Encino.
    ALSO, colleagues brought these resources to share:
     Goldstein, Margaret J. Israel in Pictures, revised and expanded. Lerner Publications, 2004.
     Garcia-Granados, Jorge. The Birth of Israel; The Drama as I Saw It. Alfred A. Knopf, 1948.
     Zenatti, Valerie. When I Was a Soldier. Bloomsbury USA Children's Books, 2005.

2005 - 2006

May 22, 2006 -- (1) Library Support Groups: (a) Librarian's Guild with President Roy Stone, Senior Librarian, Fairfax Branch of Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL); and (b) Friends of the Library with Grace Friedman and Barbara Leff, Presidents of LAPL Friends at Fairfax branch and Encino-Tarzana branch, respectively. (2) Honoring Grace Friedman's 90th Birthday; and (3) Annual donation of Judaica books to LAPL and County of LAPL. @ Fairfax Branch of LAPL, 161 South Gardner St., Los Angeles 90036.

April 3, 2006 -- Jewish Cookbook Collections! Susan Dubin presented the VBS cookbooks on display and a VBS Cookbook Bibliography. Recipe Share. @ Valley Beth Shalom - Sheila Sporn Library, Encino.

Professional Development:
February 20, 2006 -- "2006: Focus on Non-Fiction" -- Jewish Literature for Children, 3rd Western Regional Conference (full day). Co-chair: Susan Dubin and Lisa Silverman.
    Session 1: Panel of non-fiction authors, Malka Drucker, Norman Finkelstein, Susan Goldman Rubin, and Erica Silverman, and break-out sessions with authors.
    Session 2: Film screening of Paper Clips, and dialogue with Peter W. Schroeder & Dagmar Schroeder-Hildebrand, authors of the book, Six Million Paper Clips: The Making of a Children's Holocaust Memorial.
Sponsored by AJLSC, AJL, and Sinai Temple Blumenthal Library. @ Sinai Temple Blumenthal Library, Los Angeles.

December 5, 2005 -- Author Rochelle Krich spoke about the mystery genre and her mystery books for adults and young adults. @ Beyda for Books, wholesale book dealer, Van Nuys.

October 10, 2005 -- Jewish Music for our Libraries - along with Fairfax Avenue Anecdotes. Simon Rutberg, owner of Hatikvah (and Hataklit), spoke on Jewish music, various kinds, languages, and formats - what is popular and what is good for libraries. Simon also offered an interesting perspective on Fairfax Avenue - past and future - as a Fairfax shop keeper. @ Jewish Community Library of Los Angeles, Los Angeles.

2004 - 2005

May 9, 2005 -- Installation of AJLSC Officers and Board; Presentation of prestigious Dorothy Schroeder Award to Arna Schwartz (Pressman Academy Library); and Gifts of Judaica books to the Los Angeles Public Library and County of Los Angeles Public Library. Beautiful dessert buffet to honor all. @ Will and Ariel Durant Branch of Los Angeles Public Library, Los Angeles. [View Photos]

March 7, 2005 -- Copyright Law and the Library. Jason Linder, an intellectual property and appellate lawyer with the firm of Irell & Manella LLP, discussed aspects of copyright law relevant to libraries and librarians. Topics included why we have copyright law, what it prohibits, and the often murky area of what it allows as a "fair use" with respect to print, audio, and digital media. @ Valley Beth Shalom Library, Encino. Hosts: Susan Dubin (Library Consultant), Helene Gersuk (Synagogue Librarian), Susan Rosner (Technical Librarian/Library Administrator), and Charon Vilnoi (Library Assistant).

Professional Development:
February 20, 2005 --Jewish Literature for Children, 2nd Western Regional Conference. (full day) Co-chair: Susan Dubin and Lisa Silverman. Authors, illustrators, and publishers presented sessions on the latest offerings in Jewish literature for children and young adults. Sponsored by Mount Sinai Memorial Parks and Mortuaries, AJL, and AJLSC. @ Sinai Temple Blumenthal Library, Los Angeles. View: Program - Guest Authors & Illustrators - Photos - Flyer.

December 6, 2004 -- Dr. Gil Graff, Executive Director of the Bureau of Jewish Education, spoke on Jewish Education in America -- continuing AJLSC's celebration of the 350th Anniversary of Jewish Life in America. @ Adat Ari El Day School Library (North Hollywood). Host: Day School Librarian Lesley Alexander. View photos.

October 18, 2004 -- Dr. Ava Kahn, renown author, historian, and co-editor of California Jews: An Anthology, described as the "first full-length presentation of Jewish life, history, and culture in California, from the Gold Rush to the twenty-first century." Dr. Kahn spoke on the occasion of AJLSC's celebration of the 350th anniversary of Jewish life in America. @ Temple Beth Am Pressman Academy Lainer Library, Los Angeles - host: Day School Librarian Arna Schwartz. View photos.

2003 - 2004

May 3, 2004 -- Library vs. Archives - Is There a Difference? A panel discussion covering archival preservation, organization, access, publicity, and synagogue archiving. Panel: Hynda Rudd, historian and former archivist of the City of Los Angeles; Wendy Horowitz, Children's Librarian, Will & Ariel Durant Branch, Los Angeles Public Library, and Enid Sperber, Library Director, Corwin Library, Temple Israel of Hollywood. Also, Gifts of Judaica books were given to the Los Angeles Public Library and County of Los Angeles Public Library. @ Adat Ari El Library, Valley Village (North Hollywood).

May 19, 2003 - Installation of AJLSC Officers and Board; and Presentation of prestigious Dorothy Schroeder Awards to Grace Friedman and Dorothy Steiner; and Gifts of Judaica books to the Los Angeles Public Library and County of Los Angeles Public Library. Beautiful dessert buffet to honor all. @ Temple Akiba, Culver City, CA.

April 7, 2003 - Research and Information Services at the Amateur Athletic Foundation with Wayne Wilson, VP Research and Sports Library Supervisor. Tour: AAF Sports Library , including Judaica collection. @ Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles (now known as LA84 Foundation), 2141 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles.

February 3, 2003 - Rick Burke (UJ University Librarian, and Executive Director of SCELC, the Statewide California Electronic Library Consortium) introduced us to the many special resources and databases available to all University of Judaism Library * patrons; and David Hirsch (Middle East Judaica Bibliographer at UCLA University Research Library) showed us slides and described the customs, festivals, and sages associated with three Jewish shrines in Egypt. @ University of Judaism,* Los Angeles. [* Note: University of Judaism is now the American Jewish University.]

October 7, 2002 -Jewish Book Month and Other Programming - Your Library and You.
Lisa Silverman (Sinai Temple Library) and Enid Sperber (Temple Israel Library) presented programming ideas to enhance library visability. Attendees shared ideas during a lively discussion. @ Milken Community High School Library, Los Angeles.

August 18, 2002 - Autry Museum of Western Heritage, Los Angeles.
We enjoyed a guided tour of the exhibit: Jewish Life in the American West: Generation to Generation. Exhibition continues - 6/21/02 through 1/20/03. See Autry Exhibit website to Explore Jewish Life Resources, Educational Resources, Programs and Events, and Links.

May 23, 2002 - Skirball Cultural Center Library and Resource Center, Los Angeles.
We arrived early to take a self-guided tour of Skirball exhibit - Myer Myers: Jewish Silversmith in Colonial New York. After a light dinner, Sue Greening , Librarian, discussed the collection and services of the Hollander Reference Library & Cavaliero Resource Center. @ Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles -- 310.440.4682

March 4, 2002 - Judaic Resources at the Los Angeles County and City Libraries
Presentation on the available Judaica collections in the public libraries by:
Michael Masliah, Librarian, Judaica Resource Collection, Culver City Library, Los Angeles County Public Library, 4975 Overland Ave., Culver City, CA 90230 -- 310.559.0882
Hannah Kramer, Senior Librarian, Will & Ariel Durant Branch Library in Hollywood, Los Angeles Public Library, Los Angeles.

February 7, 2002 - Yiddishkayt - Today and in the Future
Eric A. Gordon, Director of Workmen's Circle / Arbeter Ring Southern California District, and scholar and writer, discussed the organization's history, philosophy, library, programs; and his books. We also toured the library and the current exhibit. @ Workman's Circle, Los Angeles.

December 3, 2001 - Susan Goldman Rubin, children's author.
Susan Rubin lead a discussion on some of her books, focusing on her newest book, the biography - Steven Spielberg: Crazy for Movies. (New York: Harry N. Abrams, 2001)

October 15, 2001 - ONE Institute & Archives
We learned about the local resource, ONE Institute & Archives, which houses the world's largest research library on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered heritage and concerns. Yaffa Weisman, Hebrew Union College-JIR Librarian, led the tour of ONE's special exhibit, Twice Blessed Judaica. @ ONE Institute & Archives, Los Angeles.