By Sue Littauer

“ Reuven Fenton, a reporter for The New York Post who covers the city, including the anti-Israel, antisemitic protests, wrote a thoughtful novel about Jewish identity in his free time. What would happen if you, a devout Jew, suddenly learned as an adult that you were not in fact Jewish? That’ s the premise of Reuven Fenton’ s debut novel“ Goyhood” which has been dubbed“ The Chosen” meets“ Planes, Trains and Automobiles.”( Jewish Book Council)

First of all, I was turned off by the title of the book. I don’ t like the word“ goy;” it has a negative connotation to me. However

, when I read that the book has received critical acclaim and was endorsed by three of my favorite authors- Elinor Lipman, Jonathan Tropper, and Boris Fishman- I had to give it a try. I am so glad I did.

“ Goyhood” is the story of twin brothers who have been estranged for many years. When Mayer( nee Marty) receives a phone call from his brother David informing him that their mother, Ida Mae, has died, Mayer reluctantly gets on a plane from New York to Georgia for the funeral and shiva. Sounds simple enough— but far from it!

Mayer lives in Flatbush, NY, is a devoted Talmud scholar, and studies morning until night. He is married to the daughter of an esteemed rabbi who is the head of his Yeshiva and supports the young couple financially. David is his complete opposite. He lived his life on the edge, failing at many get-rich-quick schemes, partying, and getting involved with wild women. At this point in his life, he is a successful entrepreneur living in Atlanta. When Mayer arrives at his mother’ s house, he gets the shock of his life when he finds out that he and David are not,

in fact, halachically Jewish. This kicks off the madcap adventures of“ Goyhood.”

Trying to keep his wife, Sarah, from finding out about his heritage, Mayer makes an appointment the following week in New York to go before a bet din to be officially converted to Judaism before she and her father learn the truth. Since there is no actual weeklong shiva, and he has no money for airfare, Mayer agrees to take a road trip with his brother through the Deep South on the way to Brooklyn. It is during this week of adventure that Mayer’ s eyes are opened up to the life experiences he’ s missed. During the week, he gets reacquainted with his love of nature, uncovers his narrow view of Judaism and mankind, renews his connection to his brother, and eventually understands that he has been played a fool by his wife and her father.

The themes of Jewish identity, self-discovery, and opening lines of communication with others and with G-d are all intertwined in this well-written, entertaining, and thought-provoking novel.

“ Goyhood,” as well as a wealth of other wonderful hardback and eBooks, is available to check out at the Center for Jewish

Education’ s Levine-Sklut Judaic Library. Be sure to visit to check out this amazing community resource.

The next Center for Jewish Education Book Club meets Aug. 13 at 10:30 a. m. in Room A110 at Shalom Park. We will be discussing“ Kantika” by

Elizabeth Grover. For more information, please contact sueb. littauer @ jewishcharlotte. org

The CJE Book Club meets the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 10:30 am in Room A110 at Shalom Park. All books are available at the Levine-Sklut Judaic Library at the Center for Jewish Education.

Sept. 10 The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern, Lynda Cohen Loigman

Oct. 29 The Rest of Our Lives, Judy Goldman

Nov. 12 Small World: A Novel, Laura Zigman

Dec. 10 Like Mother, Like Mother, Susan Rieger

Contact sueb. littauer @ jewishcharlotte. org for questions