Hendel Library’s 70th Anniversary

ARLENE RATZABI LIBRARIAN

This year is a special one for WJC for many reasons. In addition to celebrating our 100th anniversary, WJC will also commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Hendel Library this September. Here is a brief history of our library:

The library began in the former location of the synagogue. When it moved to our current location, it was merely a small area with books near a “fake fireplace” by the current entrance to the synagogue office.

I took over in 2007 when the former librarian, Irene Seff, retired to New Mexico. The library had been a thriving enterprise very involved in the religious school and other synagogue activities, and on its way to becoming fully automated.

In April 2012, the Hendel Family Library Holocaust Learning Center was dedicated and serves as a valuable resource for research on the Holocaust and Anti-Semitism. The Holocaust Learning Center was greatly enhanced by the acquisition of the library of Rabbi Samuel Schafler.

The library is the recipient of Advanced Accreditation by the Association of Jewish Libraries, which means that it upholds high standards of Judaica librarianship. It is a member of the Jewish Book Council that promotes the reading, writing, publishing, and distribution of quality Jewish content books in English.

The Hendel Family Library seeks to build Jewish identity in our community by acquiring and sharing quality books and media on a full range of Jewish subjects, fiction and non-fiction, for adults and children. Our community is fortunate to have such a resource and may it continue to thrive as we embark on our second “century” at WJC. We are truly the “people of the book” so please come in and visit!