The month leading up to Hanukkah is Jewish Book Month. This year, it began on November 15 and runs until the first night of Chanukah, December 14. Since 2025 marks the 100th anniversary of this celebration of Jewish books, the Jewish Book Council has done much to enhance the celebration.

Take a look at this list of the hallmark fiction books of the last 10 decades. How many have you read?

Jewish Book Week began in Boston when Fanny Goldstein, a Jewish librarian at the Boston Public Library decided to display Jewish books to showcase the Jewish culture of many of its branch library’s patrons. By 1940, the week morphed into a month, and the celebration was moved permanently to Hanukkah by 1943.

Fanny was not one note, however. Because she believed in exposing her patrons to other cultures, Fanny created displays about other groups who visited her library. In addition, as she rose through the library ranks and became better known, she spoke frequently on politics and social issues.

During World War II, Goldstein’s committee evolved into the Jewish Book Council, which sponsors this major celebration of Jewish books and authors. Visit the JBC site for more about Jewish Book Month, including a display of the beautiful posters created by some of the most well-known Jewish artists and illustrators, reviews of new books, interviews with authors, and essays about authors and books.

For more information on this remarkable, far-sighted, and open-minded woman, read Richard Michelson’s biography, Fanny’s Big Idea: How Jewish Book Week Was Born, or follow this link.

And come into our library to browse the shelves, which hold many treasures of Jewish literature.