We are raising funds to expand the Jewish Comics Library of Seattle (JCLS), a unique collection dedicated to preserving and promoting Jewish voices in the comic book industry. JCLS collects the works of Jewish comic artists as well as works by non-Jewish artists on Jewish themes. We define comics broadly as any works combining graphic imagery with words, whether in single-panel or sequential formats. This includes cartoons, comics, and graphic novels, but is not limited to them. Jewish works are broadly defined as any work by a Jewish artist, about a Jewish person, or exploring Jewish identity.
Our collection includes comics, graphic novels, and other graphic narratives such as biographies, histories, and memoirs that are underrepresented in mainstream media. It serves as a focal point for sharing stories and educating future generations about Jewish history, culture, and experiences through this vibrant medium.
Preserving Jewish narratives through comics is crucial, especially as antisemitism rises and historical narratives are distorted. As comic books reach new audiences and schools increasingly adopt graphic novels as educational tools, it’s vital that Jewish stories are part of this cultural shift. Libraries provide more than just access to entertainment; they offer access to enlightenment. Our collection opens up research possibilities that are critical for understanding and shaping Jewish identity in the 21st century.
As a retired school librarian and Jewish educator, I’ve seen firsthand how graphic narratives can engage students and bring complex historical topics to life. My research on Jewish involvement in the comics industry has led me to a deep understanding of how American Jews—many of them immigrants or children of immigrants—created a genre that has influenced popular culture from the 20th century to today. With my experience in both education and the comics world, I am uniquely positioned to lead this project.
The challenges Jews face in the 21st century, particularly around antisemitism, can be addressed in a traditionally Jewish way: through storytelling. The graphic narratives in our collection, along with the history of Jewish involvement in the comics industry, offer windows into Jewish humanity and culture, and serve as mirrors for exploring Jewish identity. Through partnerships with schools and community organizations, we will integrate Jewish graphic narratives into educational curricula, fostering a deeper understanding of Jewish history and culture.
The funds will be used to acquire new works as they are released, as well as to obtain older material that may have had limited runs, making them harder to find, including reissues of classic collections. Funds will also help organizing educational events and workshops, and promoting the library to reach a wider audience. Every dollar will go directly to enhancing and preserving Jewish storytelling in comics.
While collection development has been ongoing for a year, your support will allow us to significantly expand the collection, making it an even more valuable resource in all the ways we’ve described.
