Whether you’re looking to dive into the latest Jewish publications, relax with a great novel, or find inspiration in one of our rotating displays, our Learning Center provides the resources and guidance you’ll need to get started. The two-story facility includes the Deborah Library, a collection of 12,000 volumes for adults and children, the Miller Reading Room, the Abraham J. Feldman Museum, and the Marjorie L. Rafal Archives. Our librarian is Rima Yashgur and she can be contacted at ryashgur@cbict.org.
Visit us at the following times this summer (self-checkout is also available whenever the building is open):
Tuesdays: 10:00am to 2:00pm
Sundays: 9:00am to 12:00pm
Please click HERE to complete a registration form if you are not currently a CBI member (all CBI members are automatically registered). Submitting a registration form will allow you to borrow books from our library. You can also visit us and complete a hard copy in the library.
NEW! Check-out our online catalog by clicking on the link below. Our library includes materials related to the history, beliefs, and practices of the Jewish faith, with a focus on Reform Judaism.
https://www.librarycat.org/lib/cbict
New titles were recently added to our collection of Jewish-centered books that provide invaluable guidance and reassurance for parents:
“Even God Had Bad Parenting Days: Ancient Jewish Wisdom for New Parents” by Alicia Jo Rabins
As new parents navigate the overwhelming and often contradictory emotions of elation and near-despair, Rabins offers a humorous, self-reflective, and comforting perspective. Drawing on heartening and cringe-worthy biblical examples, this book helps caregivers see beyond the chaos of day-to-day life with young children, fostering a renewed sense of wonder.
“Parenting on a Prayer: Ancient Jewish Secrets for Raising Modern Children” by Rabbi Amy Grossblatt Pessah
Rabbi Pessah delves into the Jewish prayer book and extracts key values for thoughtful parenting. Through sacred teachings, prayers, and personal anecdotes, she crafts a mindful, loving, and firm parenting strategy. Intertwining Jewish texts with inner wisdom, Pessah shares meaningful ways to instill essential values.
“How to Love Your Daughter” by Hila Blum; Daniella Zamir, Translation
Hila Blum explores the complexities of the seemingly inexplicable estrangement between a woman and her grown daughter. With exquisite psychological precision, Blum traces the nuanced missteps and deceptions within family life.
Our newest books that explore the intersection of Jewish teaching and mental health:
“Handbook of Torah and Mental Health” by David H. Rosmarin
This comprehensive guide explores the connections between Torah teachings and mental health, offering valuable insights for individuals seeking a holistic approach to well-being.
“Judaism and Mental Health: Beliefs, Research, and Applications” by Harold G. Koenig, M.D.
Delve into the research that bridges Judaism and mental health, providing a nuanced perspective on the intersection of faith and psychological well-being.
“Mind over Batter: 75 Recipes for Baking as Therapy” by Jack Hazan
Embrace the therapeutic power of baking with this unique collection of recipes, seamlessly blending the art of baking with the mindfulness principles found in Judaism.
Located in the historic 1934 former library room, our museum’s collections hold dozens of pieces of Judaica, spanning three millennia and coming from five continents. Additionally, the collections holds two centuries of Congregation Beth Israel’s history, with many artifacts from one of New England’s oldest and largest Jewish communities. The museum, at the intersection of Hartford history and Jewish heritage, is a must-see for anyone interested in either or both. The Museum is open during synagogue hours. Guided tours of the Museum and the Sanctuary can be arranged by emailing archive@cbict.org.
Our CBI Library @ Home program continues under Karen Beyard's direction! If you or someone you know is not able to get to the CBI library and browse through new books and classics in our 15,000 book collection, Karen and her volunteers will arrange delivery and return of lovingly selected books to browse at home. Email Karen at kbeyard@cbict.org for more information or to arrange for a book bag drop-off.
Enjoy current issues of The Forward, a provocative and entertaining Jewish newspaper, International Jerusalem Post, Jerusalem Report, and the Ledger. We keep back issues for several months. We also subscribe to several other excellent Jewish periodicals including Lilith (a feminist perspective), Moment (insightful commentary), and Eretz (the Israeli magazine in English that comes closest to National Geographic). Current issues are in the reading room; back issues are saved in the library stacks.
You will find the Plaut Torah commentary and Torah: A Woman’s Commentary open to the week’s portion. Books elaborating the themes of the Torah reading or providing additional context are available for check-out. The study table also includes children’s books related to the weekly readings and the holidays.
Past exhibits have highlighted Jews and baseball, Jewish art and artists, cookbooks and food memories, graphic novels and comics, and our commitment to social justice. We also have a permanent display of books related to our Congregation’s history. Most recently we had a "Standing with Ukraine" exhibit and "120 Books for Every Age".
This display features books from our extensive collection on the history of the creation and building of the State of Israel, highlighting Israel's history, culture, the diversity of people and their achievements and challenges. We also included many recent books of contemporary Israeli writers. Whether you are interested in borrowing a book on Israel's founding fathers, the Independence war, great oversized photography albums, the latest Israeli novel or mouth-watering Israeli cookbooks, please stop by and help us celebrate Israel's 75th birthday.
We try to collect books listed as “Jewish Best Sellers” by Hadassah Magazine, National Jewish Book and other award winners, and Jewish books receiving attention in the American press. We buy popular and literary fiction about Jewish themes or by Jewish authors, and interesting new non-fiction about a broad range of topics of Jewish interest. We also have a collection of Jewish-themed and Israeli films.
Our collection has many important Jewish books on a wide range of topics. While our mission is more community-oriented than academic, we can help most people make progress in their quest for Jewish learning. Learning Center Director Rima Yashgur can help find information online if needed.
This beautiful space provides a large collection of children’s books for check-out, games and toys, and space for parents and their little ones to enjoy a little quiet time. Tot Shabbat takes place in the children’s room, and young congregants and their teachers visit frequently when YEP is in session.
Those who can reach top and bottom shelves in the stacks can help with shelving and collection maintenance. Computer skills, library background, or a willingness to develop new skills are also helpful.
Sue Fulleton, Chair
Lynn Newman, Treasurer
Friends actively support the Learning Center and library collections and sponsor great programs. The Friends Advisory Committee, which includes several professional librarians among its members, provide advice and consent about the director’s plans and library operations. Join today!
