Time has a way of unfolding tantalizing intersections in our lives. Earlier this week I found myself, along with my sister-in-law, in a wonderful, new delicatessen in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Even though I’ve lived close to fifty years in Seattle and I grew up in Philadelphia, my family is rooted in Rhode Island. My sister-in-law, who was quite enamored of my late father, wanted to try out this new spot, Maven’s Delicatessen, because she was certain that he would have loved it. When it comes to Ashkenazic roots food this place is hand crafted gold. No question, he would have loved it.
Now for the fold in
Upon entering what for me is a temple, I found a glass counter filled with giveaway comics from free comics day. It turns out the owner had been a struggling reader as a child. He now feels that he learned to read, with encouragement from his mother, by reading comics. Therefore, he is dedicated to spreading the reading habit by way of comic books. It's such a heartwarming story! It's wonderful to hear about someone who found solace and learning through comics and is now paying it forward by providing free comics to others, especially those with reading disabilities. What a beautiful way to foster a love for reading and to make literature more accessible to everyone. Plus, the combination of delicious deli food and free comics sounds like a winning combination for building community and supporting literacy.
These two themes, food and literacy, wend their way throughout my entire life experience. I worked as a chef for nine years, which partially explains my culinary involvement but this experience more explicitly harkens back to my efforts as a school librarian. Among my assigned tasks as a middle school librarian was to find ways to engage “reluctant readers”. This led to my discovery of the power of graphic novels that I have carried through into my current role as a Jewish comics librarian. My brother was a struggling reader and I always envisioned his struggles with reading when I interacted with students assigned to me. My personal experiences with my brother deeply influenced my dedication to helping others with reading challenges. Empathy and understanding are invaluable assets in the role of a librarian, allowing us to connect with and support readers in a unique and meaningful way. It's inspirational for me to carry forward a commitment to literacy from my time as a school librarian to my current position as a Jewish comics librarian.
As a pedagogical tactic, my approach is one of gentle encouragement and the offer of choice. By empowering readers to make their own choices, I feel like I’m not only respecting their autonomy but also helping them engage more deeply with the material. I strive to create opportunities for students to learn about graphic storytelling by making their own comics which not only fosters creativity but also helps develop their understanding and appreciation of the medium. I want them to explore and grow at their own pace. A key element in this process is that of choice. When a student is empowered to make a choice and it turns out good, the positive effects reverberate.
The nature of the reading material makes a difference.
When I was still working in a public school, I did notice breakthroughs, especially with Special Education and English Language Learners. Their teachers reported to me that all of their students were reading and didn’t want the silent reading period to end. I also had many students thank me for introducing them to books that they truly enjoyed. Since I retired and my role shifted to that of a Jewish comics librarian, I'm in a completely different context. But I am determined to leverage my experience to the benefit of reluctant readers beyond my Jewish community.
Within the Jewish community I also work as a Sunday school teacher and it is in this context that I have been able to engage middle school aged students by having them read graphic novels and create their own comics. This has enabled me to interest students in the great diversity in Jewish experience with compelling material that sparks deeper conversation. Students enjoy my classes.
Leveraging this expertise in comics mixed with an understanding of the needs of reluctant readers can make a significant difference in helping more individuals discover the joy of reading. That is just one of the reasons I created a non-profit, independent, special collection library, the Jewish Comics Library of Seattle.
One of the goals of the Jewish Comics Library of Seattle is to become a secular space for Jewish learning and the creation of new cultural artifacts. It is a way to engage with a wider audience and promote the richness of Jewish themes within the realm of graphic narratives. By providing access to a specialized collection focused on Jewish comics, we're not only preserving cultural heritage but also fostering a sense of community and belonging for readers who may resonate with these themes.
Creating a space that encourages exploration, discussion, and even the creation of new works within this genre can be incredibly empowering and enriching for readers of all ages and backgrounds. We emphasize the importance of accessibility and inclusivity, the library will welcome readers from diverse backgrounds and interests. It promises to be a wonderful way to expand awareness and appreciation of Jewish culture while also promoting literacy and creativity through comics. At least that is this startup’s dream.