The Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library hosted a Yiddish book discussion on Oct. 6, bringing community members together to explore Jewish culture, history and religion through literature as part of its ongoing “Between Two Worlds” series.
The discussion was led by Professor Mira Rosenfeld Sennett and Ellen Getreu and was made possible through a grant awarded to the library by the Yiddish Book Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and sharing Yiddish language and literature.
The educational series offers patrons opportunities to engage with Jewish heritage and traditions through the stories, experiences and historical perspectives found in Yiddish literary works.
“Having an expert like Professor Mira Rosenfeld Sennett lead these discussions is exactly the kind of high-caliber programming we strive for at HWPL,” Michelle Young, director of the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library wrote in an email. “This grant has given our patrons a fantastic opportunity to explore Jewish culture and history together.”
The “Between Two Worlds” initiative is part of the Yiddish Book Center’s community programming for public libraries, designed to introduce readers to Yiddish literature and its connections to Jewish identity and history.
Founded in 1980 by Aaron Lansky, the Yiddish Book Center works to preserve Yiddish books and make them accessible to new generations of readers. Its efforts include collecting and digitizing books, developing educational resources and supporting programs that connect communities with Yiddish culture.
Yiddish literature offers a window into the lives of Jewish communities across generations, reflecting their traditions, struggles, migrations and changing identities. Through discussions of these works, participants can examine the historical experiences that shaped Jewish life while considering how those stories continue to resonate today.
The library’s participation in the program reflects its commitment to providing educational and cultural opportunities for the Five Towns community. The grant allows HWPL to offer programming that encourages readers to discover literature beyond their usual reading interests and engage in conversations about history, heritage and belonging.
The Yiddish Book Center’s public library initiative encourages libraries to create welcoming spaces where participants can explore these themes together, connecting literary works with the broader experiences of Jewish communities.
Through “Between Two Worlds,” the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library continues to bring cultural programming to local residents while highlighting the enduring significance of Yiddish language and literature.
The series also underscores the role libraries can play in preserving cultural traditions and making them accessible to audiences of different backgrounds and generations.
