Our 2017 Season
Led by Gail Robinson
There is something about book clubs that makes them more enduring and enlivening than many other activities. Participating in a book club provides baby boomers with new topics to think about and new vistas to explore. It prevents us from getting stuck in a rut. You’ll find book clubs catering for every niche literary category, and Books of Jewish Interest (BJI) Group is just one of these. After all, Jews are the ‘People of the Book’, and arguing is practically written into our national gene code. Getting together to discuss books seems perfect.
BJI fills an important role in the North Country. It provides intellectual stimulation, mind-broadening discussions, social interaction and an excellent opportunity to make new friends. In addition to all of this, BJI helps satisfy a renewed interest in Jewish learning that many of us baby boomers have discovered. What better forum than BJI to discuss issues of Jewish thought, identity, and current Jewish social trends?
Our general topics incorporate all things Jewish, including, but by no means limited to, fiction relating to Jewish themes or topics by any author, and non-fiction relating to Jewish history, culture, issues, and religion written by any author. Essentially, anything that can in any way be connected to a Jewish ‘dot’ is fair game for the BJI group.
In the 2017 season we enjoyed lively discussions of Jewish-themed books from a variety of genres—we spoke about everything from how gentrification or Jewish conversion exposes hidden prejudices to how one can survive antisemitism and still keep true to oneself.
All are welcome at Books of Jewish Interest (BJI). Participants are expected to read the book listed for the date. We have wonderful discussants for each of the books. The leader presents an informative summary of the book’s story or thesis, provides questions to stimulate the discussion, and brings a snack for about 15 people. We were grateful to host both John Clayton and Michel Adler this season.
Thank you to our co-sponsor, Bethlehem Public Library for hosting the 2017 season of BJI. The Library has conference call capability, handicapped-accessibility, and plenty of parking.
Minyan, John Clayton
Wednesday, July 12 2017 at 4p
Leading the Discussion: John Clayton the author himself
We joined John Clayton in a lively discussion of his book. Minyan is a collection of ten short stories set in contemporary Boston. We discussed three of those stories: "Grandparent Option," "Forgiveness," and "O'Malley Recites the Kaddish."
Purchase on Amazon
Purchase at Abe’s Books
Also available at the Bethlehem Public Library
Washing the Dead, Michele Brafman
Wednesday, July 26 2017 at 4p
Washing the Dead tells the story of a young woman ripped away from her Jewish Orthodox community for her mother's indiscretion.
Purchase on Amazon
Purchase at Abe’s Books
Also available at the Bethlehem Public Library
Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik
Wednesday, August 9 2017 at 4p
Carmon and Knizhnik build on Knizhnik's Tumblr, which documents Ginsburg-inspired manicures and RBG-Destiny's Child memes, the book mixes cheeky fan art with a serious – and stirring – account of Ginsburg's life and work
Purchase on Amazon
Purchase at Abe’s Books
Also available at the Bethlehem Public Library
I am a Refugee, Camillo Adler
Wednesday, August 23 2017 at 4p
Leading the Discussion: Camillo’s son, Michel Adler
We joined Camillo’s son Michel in reflecting on his father’s escape from the Holocaust. This memoir portrays the dreadful experiences of Camillo Adler and his family as Austrian refugees in France following the outbreak of WWII. The book vividly depicts life in the Swiss refugee camps and the family’s eventual unification.
Purchase on Amazon
Purchase at Abe’s Books
Also available at the Bethlehem Public Library
Other Books of Jewish Interest Seasons
We have saved our past series logs for your knowledge base. Meetings are open to anyone and everyone interested in participating in a reading group. The actual dates for each book will depend on volunteer and Author availability. Please call (202) 744-4646 or email Gail Robinson at gailkr48@gmail.com if you have any questions.