Book Group
Book Group
The Havurah Book Group grew out of Havurah’s commitment to creating a vibrant Jewish community steeped in learning. The group allows us to know one another better through opportunities to share ideas and knowledge that excite us. One of the group’s goals is to become a venue for discussion of complex, controversial issues, discussions that may be difficult to have in other settings.
Meetings are held once monthly to discuss books that have been chosen by the group. We meet on Zoom (Zoom Room Bet - Members can log in to see Zoom room information) from 7 pm to 8:30 pm on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Members are not obligated to come every month, and can come just to the book discussions that interest them.
Book suggestions are gathered yearly. The person who suggests the book leads the discussion or arranges for someone else to do it. We currently read a mix of genres, including fiction, non-fiction, and memoirs. Member suggestions can also include poetry and drama.
More than 120 people are on the Book Discussion Google Group. (Click on "HS Book Discussion Google Group" below to join.) If you have questions or would like to be added to the email list please contact one of the chairs, Stacy Hankin or David Newman.
Havurah Book Group 2023-2024 Discussion Schedule Chart
[Click here for blurbs on each book.]
September 26, 2023: The Treeline by Ben Rawlence (led by Harriet Cooke)
October 24, 2023: Comrades and Chicken Ranchers by Kenneth Kann (led by Holly Hugnung)
November 28, 2023: The Dark Queens by Shelley Pukak (led by Maude Naroli)
December 26, 2023: The Promise by David Galgut (led by David Newman)
January 23. 2024: The Best Strangers in the World by Ari Shapiro (led by Beth Kaye)
February 27, 2024: Apierogon by Colum McCann (led by Marjorie Walters)
March 26, 2024: Horse by Geraldine Brooks (led by Leah Hershey)
April 30, 2024: Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders (led by David Newman)
May 28, 2024: Whatever Happened to Antisemitism by Anthony Lerman (led by Joel Beinin)
June 25, 2024: All I Know and Love by Judith Frank (led by Beth Kaye)
July 23, 2024: Learning from the Germans by Susan Neiman (led by Harriet Cooke)
Resources
Book Group's 2023-2024 Reading Schedule with Book Blurbs
Book Group's 2022-2023 Reading Schedule with Book Blurbs
Book Group's 2021-2022 Reading Schedule with Book Blurbs
Tips for Book Discussion Leaders
Previously-Read Books
Book Group General Meeting Minutes, March 2023
Book Group General Meeting Minutes, March 2022
Thu, September 28 2023
13 Tishrei 5784
Need Help? If you are a Havurah member in need of help, log in to find resources here.
Havurah Updates
Hineinu: Todah Rabah, High Holidays Survey, Sukkot, and More
Todah Rabah!
Many thanks to the many, many people who made High Holidays happen at the Tiffany Center, our own building
Correction to Hineinu: Rosh Hashanah Family Service Start Time and RSVP Link
Correction
Our Rosh Hashanah Family Service Starts at 10:30 am
Our Rosh Hashanah Family Service—aimed e
Upcoming Events
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Thursday ,
SepSeptember 28 , 2023IMIrJ Meeting
Thursday, Sep 28th 4:00p to 6:00p
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Thursday ,
SepSeptember 28 , 2023Sukkah Decoration Party
Thursday, Sep 28th 5:30p to 6:45p
Our Havurah Sukkah is a place of meditation, meals, song, and community. Get together with other Havurahniks to make it look fantastic and feel as special to be in as it is. RSVP to receive details as the date comes closer. -
Saturday ,
SepSeptember 30 , 2023(HYB) Shabbat Morning
Shabbat, Sep 30th 10:00a to 12:00p
Led by community members and Rabbi Benjamin, this service includes davening, Torah reading, and discussion. For Zoom link, email info@havurahshalom.org. -
Saturday ,
SepSeptember 30 , 2023(IP) Shabbat School
Shabbat, Sep 30th 3:00p to 5:15p
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Saturday ,
SepSeptember 30 , 2023New Family Orientation
Shabbat, Sep 30th 3:10p to 4:30p
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Monday ,
OctOctober 2 , 2023Mahjong Group
Monday, Oct 2nd 1:00p to 4:00p
We are excited to bring mahjong back to Havurah. It is a fun, social activity that builds community, encouraging new friendships and cementing old ones. And while some of us may play elsewhere as well, we all agreed that restoring its place as an ongoing congregational activity will be a good fit for Havurah and those of us who play or want to learn the game. So please don't hesitate to join us! -
Tuesday ,
OctOctober 3 , 2023(IP) Tuning In to Jewish Texts
Tuesday, Oct 3rd 7:30p to 8:45p
Jewish text study is similar to tuning a radio. Each type of text—TaNaKH (Bible), Rabbinic Literature (Midrash and Talmud), Medieval Commentary (Rashi, ibn Ezra, Nachmanides) and Mystical (Kabbalistic and Hasidic)—operates on a different frequency. Each seeks to clarify what we are hearing about the world, following a set of rules. Each reads the world’s signals. We will spend two weeks tuning into specific passages from the four genres. Hebrew is not necessary for this overview , although we will read some of the “greatest hits” together in the original. Transistor radios preferred to digital, because we are all subject to static. Led by Rabbi Joey Wolf. -
Wednesday ,
OctOctober 4 , 2023(IP) Special Israeli Folk Dance Class for Simchat Torah
Wednesday, Oct 4th 7:30p to 8:30p
Note the number of adults, teens, and kids attending when you sign up! -
Thursday ,
OctOctober 5 , 2023(IP) Alte Rockers in the Sukkah
Thursday, Oct 5th 5:30p to 7:30p
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Thursday ,
OctOctober 5 , 2023Reparations Workshop
Thursday, Oct 5th 6:30p to 8:30p
More info to come. Contact: Karen Sherman.