Temple Kol Ami Book Club Thrives During Pandemic

March 2021 Charlotte Jewish News

By Shari Baum

Reading and learning are certainly central tenets of Judaism. Each Sabbath, a portion from the Torah and the Prophets is read. On Purim, we read the Megillat Esther, and on Passover we repeat the story of our redemption from slavery in the Haggadah. All of this reading is done in a communal setting that encourages debate, analysis, and lively interaction. Thus, with this Jewish value of reading and learning, the Temple Kol Ami book club was started in February 2020 with our inaugural book “Gateway to the Moon.” Pre-pandemic, we could meet in person. However, we have not let a pesky virus impede our love for reading and discussions. Luckily, to quote Steven King, “Books are a uniquely portable magic.” Our book club meetings have carried on through Zoom, and we could even have a lovely outdoors, socially distanced gathering on a crisp, fall afternoon.

Our books have run the gamut from Jewish historical fiction to personal memoirs. We have decided that all book selections do not need to have Jewish content, but we hopefully have great content to engender a thought-provoking discussion. Most recently, we had a wonderful discourse on “Finding Chika” by Mitch Albom (last year’s Main Event speaker) led by Rabbi Bruce Aft. Next up is the #1 New York Times bestseller “The Vanishing Half” by Brit Bennett. We will meet via Zoom on March 21 at 7 p.m. and would love for you to join us! Please email us at yorksynagogue@gmail.com for the Zoom link. Book club meetings are generally every two months, so keep an eye on our calendar at www.templekolamisc.org for future dates and book selections.

If you live in York County or the Ballantyne area, Temple Kol Ami might be the place for you! We are a warm and inclusive Reform congregation comprising Jews from diverse backgrounds. We hope you will join us soon at one of our virtual services (first and third Fridays of the month) and find your Jewish home in our welcoming community.

“TheVanishing Half” is Temple Kol Ami’s book club pick for March.