Upcoming Book Pick (11/9):
We will discuss Cynthia Ehrenkrantz's autobiography Seeking Shelter. Cynthia, a former Bet Torah member is the presenter of the discussion.
Membership is free and joining discussions in person or on Zoom is without obligation. The members pick the books they want to discuss and then volunteer to discuss it. And joining is very easy - send your email address to Ed Feinberg. In the subject say you wish to join the book club. That is all. The books themselves are often available online in digital libraries, as ebooks, in the Bet Torah library, in the Westchester library system or sometimes you may even purchase one from a book store!
Great Jewish Books Club
For details and book selection, contact Ed Feinberg (edgfeinberg@gmail.com).
Third Thursday of the month at 8:00 pm on Zoom.
Why are there so many Jewish opticians? Jews like to read. We are, after all, the people of the Book. Since the 2nd century CE, at least, Jews have been voracious readers – outnumbering much of the world in literacy. So what could be more natural for a thinking synagogue, like Bet Torah, than to have a club devoted exclusively to books of Jewish significance. The Great Jewish Book Club, is devoted to important works that have Jewish Content or Jewish Authors or subjects significant to Judaism.
Our selections are as varied as Bintel Briefs (Letters to the Forvarts) and Judah Ha Levy. Each time we meet we select the next book and appoint someone to lead the discussion. I can’t predict what is coming but I can tell you what read in the years past: What Went Wrong, Lewis; Ornament of the World, Menocal; Salafism in Lebanon, Rabil; NY Times Magazine – Middle East, Anderson; Mamelah Knows Best, Ingall; Acts of Faith, Patel; Disobedience , Aldeman; Night, Weisel; Genius of Judaism, Levy; A Horse Walked into a Bar, Grossman. Not all were masterpieces, – some were serious works, some novels, some light and fluffy. But all contributed to our understanding of who we are .
Join us. You can select which books you want to participate with and how much you want to do so. We meet Thursday nights every month or so. You choose what books you want to read and your level of participation. You will gain an expanded mind. You lose nothing but ignorance.
To join, send your email address to edgfeinberg@gmail.com. There is no cost and no obligation.