Episodes
It’s the Passover episode! Learn about Passover traditions from around the world as the kids continue their globe-trotting search for Joha.   Episode Credits: Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library. Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher; Associate Producer, Elizabeth Korelitz Story Editor: Petey Gibson Writers: Jan Schwaid, Petey Gibson Audio editing, mixing, mastering, and score: Peter Moore, Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA Opening Theme Song: Written by Peter...
Published 01/09/24
Each Friday evening, families around the world begin the celebration of Shabbat. For many, the evening includes favorite foods, company for dinner, special songs, and blessings. This week, we have a playlist featuring stories all about Shabbat.  If you like what you hear, be sure to visit our other shows, just search PJ Library to find more Shabbat stories and much more.
Published 12/26/23
The kids enjoy hearing another “Story For Another Time.” This one involves the butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker. Auntie PJ and Elijah collaborate on a tale about collaboration, and how it makes for the perfect Shabbat. They’ll talk about the Jewish value of… upcycling? But it’s unclear if PJ and Elijah will ever talk about treasure.   Episode Credits: Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library. Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher; Associate Producer, Elizabeth...
Published 12/19/23
Published 11/28/23
Published 09/11/23
Published 04/04/23
It's the second to last episode of Season 2! Myrtle the turtle is ready to FLY! But is it the right thing to do, both morally and … aerodynamically? Blue uses their new superpower to teach Myrtle about respecting differences. To learn more about the Jewish value of kavod, respect, visit pjlibrary.org/values.
Published 02/07/23
The Mashal musicians are in disarray and making a lot of noise, and not the cool alternative music kind of noise. It's too loud, it's cacophonous, it's downright unpleasant! Can the kids help?
Published 01/24/23
The kids find someone they’ve been searching for. But there’s no time to sit and swap travel tales – something is still not right in Mashal. Does the mysterious Serach know what's up?
Published 01/10/23
Chelm seems to be returning to not-normal, which is great. The kids just need to help one wanderer home from a long trip to nowhere. And, there's one thing missing: Dafi Saifair's brilliant Mumu!
Published 12/27/22
Chag Sameach! Enjoy a Hanukkah gift from PJ Library: a curated playlist of stories just for you. Whether you enjoy these on the way to a gathering with friends or snuggled up enjoying the light of the candles, we wish all of our listeners a wonderful Hanukkah.
Published 12/15/22
The shul doors are, once again, broken. And the kids are ready to fix more of Chelm. And by “fix,” we mean totally mess everything up. Put on your unicycle helmet and enjoy.
Published 12/13/22
The kids discover Chelm, a very grey part of Mashal that’s both confusing and confused, if that makes any sense, which it wouldn’t in Chelm. And … Mr. Saifair has a brother?!?
Published 11/29/22
A very handsome swan is in distress - and who is nearby? Why it's Golem! Can the kids help their friend return to his lovely clay self?
Published 11/15/22
Cinderella and Rapunzel welcome the kids to stay for the night in their tiny cabin. Cinderella clears the air about her bonus mom, Rapunzel gets a new ’do, and everyone learns about the Jewish value of Hakarat Hatov – recognizing the good.
Published 11/01/22
The kids and Mr. Saifair come up with a plan to save Mashal and rescue Golem from his destructive path. On that path, our friends find three particularly posh kittens whose unprotected paws have left them stranded in the woods. Learn all about the Jewish value of returning lost objects in the season 2 premiere episode of Beyond the Bookcase.
Published 10/18/22
In this season finale of Beyond the Bookcase, things go beyond berserk! The kids arrive at the library but it’s eerily quiet and Auntie PJ is NOWHERE to be found. They discover they can now enter the land of Mashal at will. But when they arrive, it’s no longer just a quest to find Auntie PJ, but a mission to save the Golem and ALL their fairytale friends too. Thanks for coming along on this season’s adventure! Stay tuned for new episodes this fall. 
Published 05/31/22
It’s Shavuot and the kids have arrived in the mystical land of Mashal to find things in chaos! It seems Zev and several of his fairytale friends have introduced the idea of a day with NO RULES. The kids already have their hands full helping to get things back in order, and then Mr. Saifair takes drastic measures, aiming to get Mashal under control ... with no children allowed ever again! Learn more about the holiday of Shavuot at pjlibrary.org/shavuot.
Published 05/08/22
A tomato and dairy shortage is threatening to cancel the annual matzah pizza cookoff, and Auntie PJ is freaking out! The kids are whisked away to the land of Mashal where Humpty Dumpty is about to crack under the pressure of hosting his first seder. The kids get help from all their fairytale friends (and even Mr. Saifair) to pick up the Passover pieces and help Humpty keep it together.
Published 03/28/22
It’s time for the purimspiel, the annual performance telling the story of Purim. The kids are trying to decide which characters everyone will play but they can’t get Jacob to settle on a role. Once again transported to the land of Mashal, they meet Bubbe and a not-so-bad wolf named Zev. He’s having his own trouble finding his role in Mashal’s Purim carnival. They’ll all have to work together to help both Zev and Jacob pick the perfect part.
Published 03/07/22