A mural of Jewish children’s authors has been completed at Muswell Hill synagogue in north London. The two-piece artwork by the Israeli illustrator Omer Hoffmann is the centrepiece of a new children’s reading area, commissioned by Green Bean Books publisher Michael Leventhal.
The mural depicts a library scene with more than 50 well-known authors including I. L. Peretz; Hayim Nahman Bialik, Sholem Aleichem up to Judy Blume, Judith Kerr and David Baddiel. It was commissioned as a memorial to Michael Leventhal’s late mother, Elizabeth Leventhal, who died in May 2023.
“After my mum passed away, I wanted something in my local shul that would be fun and interactive for both children and adults,” explains Leventhal. “Up to now there’s been some simple seating and an old cupboard stuffed with books – I wanted to create a more welcoming area for kids, with bright, engaging artwork”.
As well as the mural (pictured attached) some L-shaped corner seating was designed, built and installed by north London furniture maker Carl Gilbert. The design was developed to blend in with the shul’s recent refurbishment.
An 8-page-pamphlet accompanies the mural and seating, identifying who the authors in the mural are and providing short biographies. More extensive information on each author will be available on the Muswell Hill shul website and the Green Bean Books website.
The artwork will be made freely available to synagogues, schools and community centres around the world that want to use it for displays and installations to educate and inspire children and adults alike.
“The year before my mum passed away, I remember watching her read to my two sons, Sammy and Jack, on the lawn at her home. The way she read to them – so patiently and with such gentle humour – was wonderful to watch. The children’s book corner felt like an appropriate way to keep some of that spirit alive. Hopefully it will inspire some innovative storytelling and raise awareness of talented Jewish children’s authors both past and present.”
“A celebration of our rich Jewish literary tradition feels particularly pertinent as we enter UK Jewish Culture Month 2026. It is a time when many people in the Jewish community feel under pressure from antisemitism but this is a project that will hopefully bring in some light at a dark time.’
“We are delighted to welcome this educational and original artwork to Muswell Hill Synagogue. This wonderful new reading corner will connect our youngest members with generations of Jewish storytellers. We are truly grateful to Michael Leventhal for creating this to enhance the shul experience for our youngest members, and what a beautiful, meaningful way to remember his late mother, Elizabeth.” Rabbi Michael Rosenfeld and Tracey Schueler, Rabbinic Team, Muswell Hill Synagogue.
