The Ongoing Growth of Our Temple Library
By every measure, libraries have changed dramatically over the past generation. Many of our senior congregants remember when a library was defined by shelves of books, encyclopedias, fiction, and reference volumes. Librarians not only cared for these collections but also guided readers toward new discoveries and lifelong learning. Today, much of that world has evolved, and books are increasingly digitized. Yet one thing has not changed: the importance of a library as a place where knowledge, heritage, and community come together.
Our Temple Beth Am library continues to thrive because of its remarkable collection of Judaica, assembled over many decades, and because of the dedicated volunteers who devote their time to preserving this special resource. Although our reading room occupies less space than it once did, it remains a welcoming center for learning, research, and conversation.
In recent years, we have been especially fortunate to develop a close partnership with the Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Miami (JGSGM). Together, we have expanded the library’s role beyond preserving books to helping members discover and preserve their own family histories.
One of the highlights of this partnership is the weekly “From Roots to Story” workshop, held every Thursday in the library and led by Yoram Millman, Esq., Immediate Past President and Vice President of Programming of JGSGM. Through lively discussions and hands-on research, participants explore Jewish genealogy, family history, immigration, name changes, life in the shtetl, and the historical events that shaped Jewish communities throughout the world.
This summer, JGSGM further enhanced the library by establishing a Family History Research Spot within the reading room, giving members and visitors an opportunity to conduct their own genealogical research and organize treasured family documents and heirlooms.
Etta Gold
Congregational Librarian