Purim is a holiday that feels like it's made for families. Traditions include dressing up, sharing gift baskets or mishloach manot with friends, making noise by shaking groggers, and staying up late with your friends and community. People do tzedakah and also read the Book of Esther, or megillah, which shares the story of how the Jews of Persia were saved from annihilation. Experience Purim with the characters of Beyond the Bookcase in this special playlist episode.

Sorry, but we’re not gonna spoil the season finale right here, so don’t expect this to tell you if the kids catch elusive Joha, save Sofer Shalom, or finally get to hear PJ and Elijah’s long-held secret story. You’ll just have to listen.

Joha - Ryan Abedi

Passover in Mashal is as enchanting as you’d expect. But who hosts the best seder, Cinderella or Snow White? Follow Auntie PJ and Elijah as they seder-hop through Mashal in this “Story For Another Time.”

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 Moore and Alli Thresher. Arranged by Peter Moore.

Performed by Mister G (vocals) and Peter Moore (instruments).

Cast:

• Miri - Arianna Fox
• Evie - Samantha Philyaw
• Blue - Maya Aoki Tuttle
• Jacob - Caro Cabal Coniglio
• Joha - Ryan Abedi
• Elijah - Nate DuFort
• Auntie PJ - Laura Rondinella
• Micah - Maxwell Glick
• Mr. Saifair - Gregory David Barnett
• Marion Woman in Shoe - Tianna Tagami
• Chicken Little - Blair Which
• Snow White - Laura Schreiber
• Golem - Pat Bordenave
• Cinderella - Gwen D'Angelo
• Humpty Dumpty - John Henry Kurtz
• Dolores the Donkey - Alli Thresher

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 Moore and Alli Thresher. Arranged by Peter Moore.

Performed by Mister G (vocals) and Peter Moore (instruments).

Cast:

• Auntie PJ - Madelaine Ripley
• Evie - Samantha Philyaw
• Elijah - Nate DuFort
• Micah - Maxwell Glick
• Ms. Shouhed - Daniella Rabbani
• Farrah - Daniella Rabbani
• Joha - Ryan Abedi
• Mr. Fodor - Les Horovitz
• Catriella - Alli Thresher

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.

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 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 Moore and Alli Thresher. Arranged by Peter Moore.

Performed by Mister G (vocals) and Peter Moore (instruments).

Cast:

• Miri - Arianna Fox
• Micah - Maxwell Glick
• Evie - Samantha Philyaw
• Jacob - Caro Cabal Coniglio
• Blue - Maya Aoki Tuttle
• Elijah - Nate DuFort
• Auntie PJ - Madelaine Ripley
• Butcher - Nazeeh Tarsha
• Baker - LD Castro
• Candlestick Maker - Rebecca Cunningham
• Vendor 1 - Rebecca Cunningham
• Vendor 2 - LD Castro
• Vendor 3 - Nazeeh Tarsha