Levine-Sklut Judaic Library in the New Year

Charlotte Jewish News October 2021

Libraries usually conjure images of quiet, dusty buildings with stacks of books, but the Levine-Sklut Judaic Library at the Center for Jewish Education is bigger than a building and more than just books. Since 2005, the library has been connecting Jewish people of all generations and circumstances to the resources they need, to meaningful experiences, and to one another. Since its inception, patrons and non-patrons alike have generously supported the library each year enabling the library to provide a rich offering of programs and services for our community. This year’s library campaign kicks off this month and continues until December 31.

In 2017, the library became a part of the newly established Center for Jewish Education (CJE). The CJE, whose mission is to enhance community engagement, promote lifelong Jewish learning, and create pathways to Jewish identity, is a component of the Jewish Federation’s Department of Education and Engagement.

Of the library’s offerings for children, perhaps one of its best known and treasured is Miss Debby, who for ten years has led weekly story times for families and local Jewish schools, accompanied by her popular puppet helpers. Even during the pandemic, Miss Debby continued with her program online with “Miss Debby at Home,” building a digital library that is free to access on the library’s website. “Miss Debby’s Best Loved Children’s Books” column in the Charlotte Jewish News each month offers reviews and recommendations for books that can all be found for free in the library, books that may be difficult to find or afford in the city library or local bookstores.

In addition, the library helps students succeed academically and avoid the summer decline of reading skills with its “Summer Reading Challenge.” These challenges encourage preschool and elementary aged children to read books during the summer break. Participants are awarded prizes based on the competition’s annual theme.

During the pandemic, the library’s adult services haven’t slowed down, just shifted gears.

Book check-outs continued, with scheduled curbside pickup, and the library was able to expand its eBook collection and provide Kindle devices for loan so that patrons can enjoy books from the safety of their own homes. The library is now open for community members to browse in person, but curbside pickup and eBooks remain available as well.

Sue Littauer, who also contributes a monthly “Sue’s Bookshelf” column to CJN, continued to lead the CJE’s monthly book club, albeit virtually.

But perhaps just as important as the library’s outstanding programming and extensive collection of resources is its role as a free space for community members to gather. Whether as a place for the Baby & Me class for new moms, meeting space for book clubs, or just a “third place” to work away from home, the library is the only free, open-to-all gathering space on Shalom Park.

The CJE looks forward to continuing improvements and expansion to library offerings, as well as other CJE programming. In the past year, the CJE continued to host community and education events. Adults pursued Jewish learning through adult learning classes in partnership with organizations such as iEngage and Queens University. Even during a pandemic, the CJE continued to host community and education events such as community reads, highlighting authors such as Ariel Burger to discuss “Witness, Lessons from Elie Wiesel’s Classroom,” and Tiffany Shlain to talk about the power of unplugging one day a week based on her book “24/7”. In the coming year, the CJE will launch its inaugural Jewish Book Festival featuring appearances from five Jewish authors during the week of March 20-27.

Like everyone, the CJE looks forward to the day the library and the many CJE programs can return to “operations as usual.” But until then, with your help, the work will continue to enrich our Jewish community. Donations can be made online before December 31 at www.jewishcharlotte.org/CJE.