Library

The CMI Library is a rich resource for Jewish history, culture and religion.  The library contains over five thousand books, collected throughout the years. Library staff members have worked hard to create special collections such as biographies of Jewish people, fiction books by Jewish authors, books chosen and read by the CMI Book Club, books for children and teens, and a collection of the 50 most banned books in the United States.  An important section of our collection focuses on the study of the Torah, Talmudic prayer and related topics that are available for reading and studying in the library only.

Volunteers who staff the CMI library are willing to meet individuals or groups by appointment to assist them in using the library. These volunteers are available most Sundays during Religious School hours.

CMI members can search the library collection online by clicking the link below.

New Acquisitions in the CMI Library

Spring is the season for several Jewish book awards. Due to the foresight of Isaac and Harriet Breslav, Carl and Pauline Decktor, and the Duhan family, the CMI Endowment contains funds for the purchase of books for the CMI Library. The most recent acquisitions focused on books on the 2026 award lists. 

Examples from the recent acquisitions include: Anatomy of Exile: A Novel (fiction), Kaplan’s Plot: A Novel (fiction), Shabbat Is… (Picture Book), Shavuot, Shavuot, Why Are you Sad? (Picture Book), On the Wings of Angels (Intermediate), Adventures of Rabbi Harvey (Intermediate Graphic Novel). A full list of new books is available by clicking here.

All new nooks can be found on the rack display or displays on the window ledges. There is a sign out clipboard on the desk in the library if you are interested in borrowing any book available. The loan period is one month.