Literary Lifestyle
After Shabbat Services - Saturday, 12:30 - 1:30pm
Beginning in the new Jewish year, we will host a series of opportunities for you to read well-written, thought-provoking short stories and books on the theme of Jewish family life. We’ll come together to react to what we’ve read over a variety of refreshments in the TBT Bank Family library on Shabbat after Torah discussion.
The short stories may be downloaded from links provided through the weekly T’kiah or you may pick up a copy outside the TBT office on the pamphlet wall. Bring the reading, a contribution to a dairy lunch, and perhaps a friend so that our literary circle can keep growing as our minds do.
Short Story Discussion
January 17, February 21, April 18 & May 16
Announced in the T’kiah several weeks prior.
The short stories may be downloaded from links provided through the weekly T’kiah or you may pick up a copy outside the TBT office on the pamphlet wall. Bring the reading, a contribution to a dairy lunch, and perhaps a friend so that our literary circle can keep growing as our minds do.
October 18
"First Confessions" by Frank O’Connor
"The Loudest Voice" by Grace Paley
Led by Deborah Rose O’Neal
Two very short stories, both narrated in the voice of a child, each exploring their religious heritage. A young Irish Catholic boy narrates “First Confessions” and a young Jewish girl narrates “The Loudest Voice”. Both narrators are funny, curious, and totally delightful.
November 15
"The Dark" by Jess Walter
Led by Deborah Pollack
This story begins: “In the days before she died, Doug’s wife had given him detailed instructions about how he should comport himself in his future romantic endeavors.” The rest, as they say, is commentary both serious and humorous.
December 13
Vera, or Faith: A Novel
by Gary Shteyngart
Led by Adam Kaiserman
A poignant, sharp-eyed, and bitterly funny tale of a family struggling to stay together in a country rapidly coming apart, told through the eyes of their wondrous ten-year-old daughter.
March 14
Tevye the Dairyman
by Sholom Aleichem
Led by Pam Small
You’ve seen the musical play and movie, now read the much richer, funnier, and sadder original stories on which Fiddler on the Roof was based, written by one of our greatest Yiddish writers.
June 13
Songs for the Brokenhearted
by Ayelet Tsabari
Led by Alan Kirschbaum
Songs for the Brokenhearted is immersive, distinguished by sharp and agile prose, a remarkable cast of fully realized characters, and spellbinding storytelling. And when it comes to bearing witness to the vibrant history and culture of generations of Israel’s marginalized groups, the novel is an unparalleled triumph.
— Jewish Book Council, Book Club Pick
Mon, September 8 2025
15 Elul 5785
