From the URJ Press transition to the new imprint Apples & Honey, 2015 was a big year for Behrman House! Join us as we take a look back at 2015 and get ready for what's ahead in 2016.
In 2015, Behrman House partnered with URJ to ensure that URJ Press materials will continue to be available to educators throughout North America. These include the CHAI and Mitkadem curriculums, and favorites like Entree to Judaism and b'nei mitzvah preparation materials.
In addition to the URJ Press educational materials, we gained two new colleagues to help aid schools and congregations with the transition. Marlene Myerson and Joan Carr officially joined the Behrman House team from the URJ to provide curriculum consultation and support.
Click here to read the full press release.
Behrman House and Jerusalem-based Gefen Publishing united in 2015 to introduce Apples & Honey Press! Debuting at the Book Expo America in New York, Apples & Honey Press introduced six memorable stories for children that illuminate the values of family, community, having fun, and being the best we can be.
Apples & Honey Press is working with a variety of authors and artists, including David Adler (author of the Cam Jansen series), Sylvia Rouss (author of the Sammy Spider series) and puppeteer-ventriloquist Karen Rostoker-Gruber.
Check out the Apples & Honey Press site here.
We are always working to improve our website and programs for you. In 2015 we started hosting regular usability tests to get an outside view of our website and digital materials -- and did we learn a lot!
Educators and colleagues joined us at Behrman House headquarters in Springfield, New Jersey, to help us sort out problem areas, provide great feedback, and even test our some new products.
You too can sign up to be a usability tester! Click here for more information and to sign up today.
Drawing on the rich history of Judaic objects, art, and tradition, Shalom Coloring features a collection of exquisite imagery from complex illustrations and patterns to inspire novice and expert colorists alike.
Adult coloring books topped the charts on Amazon in 2015 - and we see why! Shalom Coloring was designed specifically for adults to allow them to escape their stresses and mentally relax with a rainbow of choices and beauty.
Because of its immense popularity, Shalom Coloring is currently on backorder at behrmanhouse.com, but you can still get copies at Amazon!
Joy came to Behrman House in April 1997. Her knowledge and kindheartedness quickly made her a valued member of the Behrman House team. We were sad to see her go in December, but we wish Joy and her family all the best as she continues on her next phase of retirement.
Coming in 2016!
The first title from the Spring 2016 Apples & Honey Press list, Kayla & Kugel's Almost-Perfect Passover will debut in March. Four other titles, including two re-issued titles formerly from URJ Press, will be published in April.
We'll be bringing you new Hebrew apps in 2016 that will work on iPads and mobile phones as well as laptops. A new primer app, Shalom Hebrew! OLC Edition, developed in conjunction withthe Jewish Journey Project in New York, will let students learn, practice, and record themselves as they develop decoding skills. And stuents will also be able to learn Hebrew prayer through music, with multimedia materials they can access anytime, anywhere. This all new Hebrew in Harmony program, hosted by musicians Noah Aronson and Eliana Light, will be in beta test next month and available for this coming school year. YOu can learn a little more about them here. Or email us for more information.
Shalom Coloring was such a HUGE hit, we plan on introducing a second adult coloring book--look for it later this year here and on Amazon.
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We wish all of our friends and families a happy, healthy, peaceful, and meaningful 2016.
Behrman House, URJ Create a Path to the Future for URJ Press Educational Materials
Introducing Apples & Honey Press
New Jewish Adult Coloring Book Brings Out the Artists in Us All
We Wished Bookkeeper, Joy Ferraris, a Happy Retirement
