HNE: Telling Our Stories: Claiming Space for Jewish Narratives on Library Shelves 2026

Please join the Hadassah Northeast Advocacy and Action Committee (HAAC) and the Hadassah Educators Council for a program exploring the availability of books representing the Jewish experience for children and young adults. Set against a backdrop of activist attempts to delegitimize the Jewish experience in literature, our panel of three distinguished experts will offer practical steps that attendees can take to advocate for balanced and authentic resources in public libraries, school libraries, and classrooms. They will identify book titles that can positively shape learning, identity, and community understanding.

In order to enable a frank discussion of this topic, this program will NOT be recorded. Please plan to attend the live event.

Liza Wiemer: An award‑winning author, educator, and book reviewer, Liza has delivered more than 800 talks and workshops and was named one of The Algemeiner’s “Top 100 People Positively Influencing Jewish Life.”

Audrey Barbakoff, EdD, MLIS: A librarian, educator, and author, Audrey is a public library consultant who helps libraries design engaged learning experiences that foster equitable, diverse, and inclusive services.

Jany Finkielsztein: A teacher, curriculum coordinator, and teacher educator, Jany is a member of the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA), the Massachusetts Educators Against Antisemitism (MEAA), and the Hadassah Educators Council.

Zoom link given upon registration.