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Jewish Women's Book Club

Monthly

Join Mrs. Yona Posner for light discussion around some good Jewish reading.

Contact Mrs. Yona Posner for more information and how to join.

CURRENT BOOK:

"Don Yosef Nasi", by Avishai Stockhammer

The years following the expulsion of Jews from Spain and Portugal were frightening and turbulent. The Inquisition had poisoned the atmosphere. Storm, starvation, and disease claimed countless lives. Even in countries that took Jews in, anti-Semitism was barely contained, and the helpless, most penniless refugees were held in disdain, if not contempt.
In Spain and Portugal, there were courageous Marranos who were determined not to give in to the "inevitable." Some because rich and famous. A few used their prosperity to escape to places where - eventually - they could practice their Judaism, not only proudly, but openly. The most prominent among them was Dona Gracia Nasi, and her nephew and future son-in-law for a lifetime of service to his people. Don Yosef Nasi.
This book is a dramatization of the story of Don Yosef Nasi and Dona Gracia.

The book is available here, and here.

We will be meeting on 12/16/24 at noon to discuss the book. Contact Yona for more information.

We have read:

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by Elisha Pearl

“Make Peace” presents the Rebbe’s timeless vision for Israel’s security in a clear and accessible manner, distilling thousands of pages of his commentary into a systematic guide. By contextualizing the Rebbe's insights within the framework of military strategy and Israel’s history, this book offers a compelling and practical approach to resolving the seemingly intractable conflict and fostering true, lasting peace.

Hamama is the memoir of a spirited girl fighting to find her place in 1930s Yemen. It traces her arduous journey to the Land of Israel and the many challenges she faces in the struggling new country.

Of Medicine, Miracles, and Mindsets

When their sixth child was diagnosed in utero with complex congenital heart and gastrointestinal defects, Elie and Chaya Rochel Estrin knew they had a tough ride ahead. Their determined battle to save baby Nissi was waged in spite of doctors’ predictions for a six-hour lifespan. It was a struggle inspired by the Jewish approach to life, deep Chassidic insights, and spurred on by overt miracles — resulting in the remarkable medical journey recounted here.

Forever My Jerusalem

History comes alive again with this powerful classic, the poignant, autobiographical story of the fall and evacuation of the Jewish Quarter, as witnessed through the eyes of a young girl. The writing is evocative; it paints pictures in the reader's mind's eye. From Page One you will be transported to a different world, long ago, a world fraught with danger and immense change as the Jewish Quarter is tragically evacuated and the Arab victors plunder its homes. Includes maps.

90 Seconds: The story of United Hatzalah

The amazing work of Israel’s United Hatzalah began, incredibly, when five-year-old Eli Beer witnessed a terror attack and dreamed of being the one to save the victim. While still a young teen, Eli set out to make that dream come true, creating an underground network of pioneering EMTs who were determined to bring their life-saving skills to victims in only 90 seconds, no matter where they were.

In this book, Halevi interweaves the stories of a group of 1967 paratroopers who reunited Jerusalem, tracing the history of Israel and the divergent ideologies shaping it from the Six-Day War to the time of writing (2013).

What would you do if you weren't Afraid?

Michal Oshman

An executive at Facebook and TikTok who wrote about her experiences with a life that didn't match up with what she didn’t know she wanted.

Samarkand: the Underground with Far-Reaching Impact

Rabbi Hillel Zaltzman

The book (originally in Hebrew and recently translated) tells of the Chassidic underground in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, with the far-reaching impact it had on other Jews. It is a non-fiction documentary that gives an uplifting view of Jewish survival and Soviet history from the inside.

The Gilded Cage: Queen Esther's Untold Story

Sorele Brownstein

Culled from the rich Jewish tradition, comes the story of Queen Esther as you never heard before.

Sorele Brownstein is a Chabad Rebbetzin who has written the true Torah story of Queen Esther, based on sources in commentary and Midrash, teachings of Chassidus, and archeological & historical findings. The impetus came after teaching a women’s class which transformed her students’ perspective of Esther from a naïve, lucky woman into the more accurate lonely and brave heroine she truly was.

Stephanie Arnold

When she was pregnant with her second child, Stephanie Arnold had a sudden and overwhelming premonition that she would die during the delivery. Though she tried to tell the medical team and her family what was going to happen, neither the doctors nor her loved ones gave her warnings credence. Finding no physical indications that anything was wrong, they attributed her foreboding to hormones and anxiety.
In this remarkable true story, Stephanie recounts her harrowing journey and shares her surprising spiritual discoveries: we are not alone and have more loving help than we can imagine surrounding us.

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