The Charlotte Jewish News- September 2025- Page 4
Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte
A Jewish New Year at the CJE Book Club
By Sue Littauer
As we head into a new year, we often choose to make changes. Perhaps this year, one choice could be to do one Jewish thing that connects us with our Jewish community. If you are an avid reader, you may be interested in joining the Center for Jewish Education Book Club.
As the leader of the group, I wasn’ t sure what to expect when we began meeting about five years ago. How will it be different from my own book group that’ s been meeting for nearly 30 years? I was very pleasantly surprised to find out just how enjoyable and inspiring this group would become. First of all, I only knew a couple of the women who joined … and was very impressed with their intelligence, their knowledge, their curiosity, and their wealth of experience, all of which leads to very interesting discussions. I do a lot of preparation prior to each meeting— I research authors, questions for discussion, and book reviews. What I’ ve found though is that I rarely use the material I’ ve prepared because these women are always one step ahead of me! They’ ve already brought to light many of the topics and themes suggested by the authors and reviewers, which leaves us time to relate the points to our own lives.
I asked several members of the CJE Book Club why they enjoy it as much as they do:
One of the most engaged members belongs to four book clubs! I asked her how we stack up.“ Oh, it’ s the best” she said. According to Ruth Paul, another book club member,“ I feel comfortable sharing my thoughts and feelings with the fellow attendees. When we have gone off topic, there have been some very interesting discussions. I like the variety of books each month and the suggestions for future reading.”
Susan Kaplan wrote,“ I’ ve enjoyed most of the books, and I end up reading books I wouldn’ t normally pick up. Books I’ ve really enjoyed talking about are“ Signal Fires,”“ The Marriage Box,”“ The Escape Artist,” and“ The English Girl.’”
Carole Gelfand finds hearing different responses to the books very thought provoking, and according to Carole Sternstein,“ Most of the members contribute a great deal to the discussions, which sometimes evolve into stimulating conversations about current affairs.” Others prefer to stay away from political discussions, but enjoy talking about the way the books relate to their own lives and experiences. Some members would like to read more historical fiction and biographies.
Frequently asked questions about the Book Club:
• What are the criteria for the book club? To join, a participant must be a member of the Jewish community, and a registered user of the Levine-Sklut Judaic Library. Just go by the library to sign up or go online at library @ jewishcharlotte. org
• How are the books selected? The book must be written by a Jewish author or have a Jewish theme.
• When does the group meet? The second Wednesday of each month in Room A-110 at Shalom
Park.
• How do I find the books? All books can be found in hardback and eBooks at the Levine- Sklut Judaic Library.
Please join us for our next meeting when we will be discussing“ The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern” by Lynda Cohen Loigman, Wednesday, Sept. 10 at 10:30 a. m. in Room A-110 at Shalom Park.
Questions? Ideas? Recommendations? Please contact sueb. littauer @ jewishcharlotte. org
Center for Jewish Education Book Club Schedule
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
Eve Barlow Thursday, Sept. 18 | 7 PM Sam Lerner Center for Cultural Arts
Join Federation ' s NextGen and the Jewish Community Relations Council( JCRC) for an evening with Eve Barlow as she explores how to confront antisemitism— online and in everyday life. A bestselling author and leading Jewish advocate with a reach of over 20 million monthly, Eve will share how we can all find the courage to speak out.
This event is made possible by a generous grant from Adam and Wendy Petricoff.
NextGen JCRC
Scan To Register www. jewishcharlotte. org