Examining Jewish Life Through Objects

For a short time, Fisher Price made a set of Little People toys to help celebrate Hannukah. You can only find the set on the collectible market these days, but the figurines served as an easy starting point for Lauren Leibman's introduction to a recent special issue of American Jewish History on Jewish American material culture.

Leibman, a professor of English and Humanities at Reed College, said the toys exemplify "the variety of ways in which objects can embody what it means to be Jewish in American life." The special issue contains a diverse set of articles which dig deep into that concept. She joined us on our podcast to talk about the issue.