You Like to Read and Talk? Book Club! — Bet Shalom Congregation

by Leslie Laub

The Bet Shalom Book Club has been meeting for many years. We gather at Bet Shalom and on Zoom four times a year on Sundays from 10:00 – 11:00 am to discuss Jewish-themed books recommended by our members. Our discussions are always interesting and lively! Let me share some comments about a book we read recently.

At our last book club session on September 14, 2025, 12 members were present. We discussed The Amen Effect by Rabbi Sharon Brous. Linda Hulbert led our spirited discussion and distributed a list of thoughtful questions including a brief outline of each chapter.

Rabbi Brous suggests that we are living in a time of loneliness and isolation, partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic and social/political disruption. The word “amen” means “I see you and you are not alone.” We discussed the need for active and personal engagement with others. The rest of the meeting covered how we’re doing just that at Bet Shalom.

Burt Schwartz discussed Bet Shalom’s new “Senior Connection” program which has the goal of identifying, engaging and interacting with older congregants who are not able to participate in synagogue services or events. This program will hopefully alleviate some loneliness and strengthen connections between senior congregants.

Older adults sometimes lack hope in what the future holds for them. Linda Hulbert said that hope and joy are morally imperative and spiritually necessary. Rabbi Thal added that hope is something we need to work at. To see the good in others, we need to practice identifying positive actions and ideas in people and point these out to them. Burt suggested that each day is a gift, and we need to find positive thoughts and situations. Lynn Benson commented that we need to teach hope and gratitude, especially as parents. As our children mature, these lessons of finding hope and giving gratitude may be very helpful in the future.

We discussed relying on our neighbors and developing trusting relationships with them so they feel they can rely on us as well. Julie Rhein emphasized that the shared experiences we have with others are purposeful acts of service, a type of tikkun olam, helping to repair our and their world. Members commented that we need to be honest and present even when it’s uncomfortable. Recognizing the image of God in every person helps us see value in everyone!

We welcome you to join future book club meetings at which we’ll discuss these books:

Dec. 7, 2025 Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zeven

March 8, 2026 An Officer and a Spy by Robert Harris

May 10, 2026 Departure Stories: Betty Crocker Made Matzos Ball Soup, (And Other Lies) by Eliza Bernick