PJ Library Presents: Have I Got A Story For You!

Welcome to a very special episode of Have I Got a Story For You! Today's story was written by PJ Library's founder, Harold Grinspoon and Vivian Newman. Join young Harold and his best buddy Diane, as they journey behind a heavy door, through dark, mysterious tunnels, and back to freedom. Will they triumph over the darkness, the evil dust bunnies, the rabbi's singing? Find out in today's season fina...

Today Rita narrates an audiobook for listeners: The Magical Letter.  As he discovers writing, Nitai decides to write his first letter to his mother. The story, told from the viewpoint of the simple white page, tells how Nitai’s letter, passed from person to person, magically touches each one. This charming book speaks to the power of words to bring joy, to bridge difference and to express compassi...

Travel back in time to the village of Rosgart for a very rainy Shabbat. Ira and his father Jacob take great pride in baking the best challah in town -- and remembering every customer's order. But what happens when a small early Saturday morning drizzle turns into a downpour and then a flood unlike any Rosgart has ever seen? Rita, Jacob, and Ira get very creative to make sure everyone can enjoy Sha...

How will Rabbi Akiva get over his embarrassment and learn to read when all the pupils in the class are children and he is already a grown man? In this charming, modern version of a Talmudic tale, Rabbi Akiva’s clever wife, Rachel, shows him that one should never let shyness or fear of embarrassment stand in the way of learning. The Donkey and the Garden is written by Devora Busheri, illustrated by...

Get ready for Passover with Have I Got a Story For You! Learn the Passover story, practice the Four Questions, and follow a pirate on an epic afikomen hunt. For everything you need to enjoy Passover with your family, visit pjlibrary.org/passover.

The work or school week can feel long and hectic -- that's why Shabbat is so awesome. On Shabbat, we get to take a break, take a breather, and slow down. It's the perfect reset - and that's what makes Friday nights feel so special, and dare we say, magical.  Enjoy three Shabbat-themed stories in this playlist: Sweet-Town Rivals, Miracle Bread, and The Missing Ingredient. There are also Shabbat-the...

What's better than family? How about cooking for family? If you feel inspired by today's story, Two Sisters, share your favorite family recipe with PJ Library and the Jewish Food Society -- it might become a PJ Library book! The ingredients for the next classic children's story might be right in your kitchen! PJ Library is partnering with the Jewish Food Society (JFS) to find a recipe with a backs...

Rita Toomey has a recipe for "day off nachos" ready to share with a skateboarding piglet friend. Do you have a special family story and classic dish that's beloved by your guests? Tell us all about it! PJ Library is partnering with the Jewish Food Society (JFS) to find a recipe with a backstory that can be whipped up into the next great picture book. Give us a taste of your story at jewishfoodsoci...

The ingredients for the next classic children's story might be right in your kitchen! PJ Library is partnering with the Jewish Food Society (JFS) to find a recipe with a backstory that can be whipped up into the next great picture book.  After listening to today's story, Sweet-Town Rivals, give us a taste of what's cooking in your kitchen at jewishfoodsociety.org/pjlibrary -- one family's recipe w...

The ingredients for the next classic children's story might be right in your kitchen! PJ Library is partnering with the Jewish Food Society (JFS) to find a recipe with a backstory that can be whipped up into the next great picture book. To get your creative cooking (or baking) juices flowing, we're re-airing some of our favorite food-themed Have I Got a Story For You! episodes, starting with Rena'...

Rita is out for a walk through the neighborhood, admiring all of the plants, gardens, and bushes that her neighbors have planted and cared for through the years. Her walk reminds her of another neighborhood with a special carob tree and a tale of two neighbors. The Carob Tree is a Jewish folk tale retold by PJ Library and presented to families here in audio form and as part of a special PJ Library...

In this Algerian folktale, Yosef is determined to keep the Sabbath -- even though he is in the middle of a dangerous desert journey. But he knows he’ll be all right because he is getting help from a powerful friend. The Sabbath Lion, written by Howard Schwartz and Barbara Rush, illustrated by Stephen Fieser, published by PJ Publishing. This story is narrated by Kristofer Jenson.  

Tag along with Rita Toomey to follow the adventures of Iron Mom, the world's greatest superhero! From epic battles with out of this world villains, to Shabbat dinner with the kids, Iron Mom does it all. But why does she keep sneaking out on Sundays in disguise?    Episode Credits Have I Got a Story For You is a production of  PJ Library Executive producers: Meredith Lewis, Alli Thresher Director:...

Tillie Mouscovitz lives in the walls of a synagogue. She normally stays out of sight, but the joy of a wedding party dancing the hora lures her out. After all, it’s a mitzvah to dance at a wedding! Will Tillie be allowed to join in entertaining the bride and groom? The Mouse Who Danced the Hora is written by Pamela Mayer , illustrated by Christine Davenier , and published by PJ Publishing. This au...

Listener Addison has heard of a Jewish holiday where people pray for rain. Rabbi Naomi is here to give the scoop on Shemini Atzeret, one of the holidays right after Sukkot.  Learn more at pjlibrary.org/holidays

Chag Sameach, it's a Sukkot surprise! This week we're changing things up with an audiobook. If you would like more audiobooks mixed in with your Have I Got a Story For You folktales, drop us a line at gotastorypodcast.com/contact.   Credits: Never Too Quiet, written by Barbara Diamond Goldin and illustrated by Amanda Hall, is published by PJ Publishing. Audiobook narration by Kristofer Jenson Edit...

A nacho-loving piglet, a very formal rooster, and a jingle-writing lion all take center stage in this week's episode. Rita Toomey is at home enjoying a mid-afternoon snack when an unexpected visitor arrives. Piglet regales Rita, and listeners, with an updated take on a midrash that reminds us all: no one is perfect (and that's okay). Episode Credits Have I Got a Story For You is a production of  P...

Our recent episode, Carly's Cupcakes, is a story of kindness, community, and cupcakes. And it also inspired a couple of listener questions about God. This "mix" features answers to listener questions, a re-listen to Carly's Cupcakes, as well as tips from our special guest, Rabbi Avi Killip, about talking with your children about God, no matter what you believe. 

Welcome to the first mini mini-sode of  Have I Got a Story For You!  This week a special guest from a recent episode is here to answer a listener question.  Eden wants to know: "Why do we celebrate Rosh Hashanah?" Listen along to learn.  And if your family is looking for help celebrating the High Holidays at home this year, visit pjlibrary.org/HighHolidays for a free digital guide and print at hom...

It's time for another mini minisode. Today, trusty engineer Al, is on hand to answer a listener question from Tali. Take a listen to learn more about the tradition of eating pomegranates on Rosh Hashanah.  Check out PJ Library's free digital and print-at-home guide for the High Holidays at pjlibrary.org/highholidays.

Carly makes beautiful, delicious, inventive, cupcakes in her bakery. Carlotta keeps the synagogue running and dreams of trying one of Carly's cupcakes, but doesn't have the money to splurge on sweet treats. When the two cross paths, a sweet tale of tzedakah and community begins.  Want to experiment with cupcake flavors and cupcake baking? Visit gotastorypodcast.com for a special "short-cut cupcake...

Have you ever felt as ornery as an ostrich? Or as prickly as a porcupine? In a very special episode, Rita Toomey reads the book Tali Under the Table, written by Tamar Weiss-Gabbay.    When Tali is angry and refuses to join everyone seated at the table for lunch at Grandma’s, her cousin Shira knows exactly what to do: she joins Tali under the table, and slowly leads her back to the family gathering...

Meet Og the Giant! He's a former king of Bashan, obsessed with bagels, and on a mission to rescue some animals--with the help of his new friend Dr. Noa and Rita Toomey.  Grab your fanny pack, a box of egg matzah, and some comfy sandals as the Have I Got a Story For You team does a mitzvah -- saving animals! Learn more at gotastorypodcast.com. Episode Notes Episode Credits Have I Got a Story For Yo...

What is the sweetest sound in the world? A perfectly tuned harp? A 25 piece klezmer band? A local scream-grind sensation? Join Rita and world famous rockers Kreplach Riot, as they search for the perfect opening act. Will they find it? Or will picky front-man Mendelsohn and a small bout of "hanger" break up the band?   Episode Credits Have I Got a Story For You is a production of  PJ Library Execut...

The residents of Haverton are furious -- the wind is messing up all of their plans and ruining everyone's day! From lost balloons to spoiled cakes to popped kick balls, the townspeople want justice, and that's where Rita Toomey and Judge Solomon come in. This episode is based on a King Solomon story -- learn more at gotastorypodcast.com. Episode Credits Have I Got a Story For You is a production o...