There is something deeply familiar—and deeply Jewish—about gathering around books. The Great Jewish Bookshelf taps into that instinct by offering participants the opportunity to receive a carefully curated selection of Jewish-themed books every other month – opening doors to new authors, new stories, and new ways of engaging with Jewish life.
The Great Jewish Bookshelf, an initiative of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, brings Jewish literature directly into homes. Each cycle includes a diverse range of titles: fiction and non-fiction, contemporary voices and historical narratives, works rooted in Jewish thought, culture, ethics, and lived experience. Some books speak openly about Judaism; others carry subtle Jewish threads woven into universal stories. There is something for every taste and reader.
The program’s annual cost is $65 for those who pick up their books at the Simon Family JCC, or $85 for home delivery anywhere in the United States. Books are distributed on a schedule, making reading feel less like a task and more like a rhythm—something to look forward to.
The 2026 cycle offers a wide-ranging selection. Titles include People Love Dead Jews by Dara Horn, This Is Real and You Are Completely Unprepared by Rabbi Alan Lew, The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant, Yiddish for Pirates by Gary Barwin, Thistlefoot by GennaRose Nethercott, and The Mathematician’s Shiva by Stuart Rojstaczer, among many others. The list moves between humor and grief, memory and imagination, spirituality and history—mirroring the complexity of Jewish experience itself.
At its core, this project reflects who Jews are – Am HaSefer—the People of the Book. Reading has always been central to Jewish continuity, education, culture, and tradition. The Great Jewish Bookshelf embodies these values while also grounding them in community. Books become not only a personal experience, but—if one chooses—a shared one.
What further enriches the program is the option to connect with others who select the same books. Participants may join informal discussion groups where conversations range from literary reflections to personal insights and shared experiences. These gatherings are entirely optional.
Behind the scenes, the book selections are chosen with great care. Every book is selected intentionally, with attention to quality, diversity of voices, and relevance to Jewish life today.
In a time when connection can feel fragmented and hurried, the Great Jewish Bookshelf offers something both simple and profound: the chance to slow down, read deeply, and engage with Jewish ideas—on one’s own terms. Sometimes, all it takes to strengthen a community is a good book.
To learn more or participate in the 2026 edition, go to JewishVA.org/GJB. The next chapter is waiting—and there’s always room for another reader.