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:

For this month, we are reading "Rachel Calof's Story: A Jewish Homesteader on the Northern Plains", by Rachel Calof

The memoir, written by Rachel Bella Calof in 1936, recounts aspects of her childhood and teenage years in a Jewish community, (shtetl) in Russia, but focuses largely on her life between 1894 and 1904, when she and her husband carved out a life as homesteaders. This memoir is an interesting and unsentimental historical and personal record.

We will be meeting on 7/14/25 at noon to discuss the book. Contact Yona for more information.

We have read:

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The Choice

Edith Eger

The Gilded Cage: Queen Esther's untold story

Sorala Brownstein

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

The Decree

Sarah Feldbrand

The Decree; A Historical Novel Set During the Persian Rule

From The Four Winds

Haim Sabato

Haim Sabato offers a rich historical novel in From the Four Winds, an evocative, rendering of his childhood experiences in an immigrant transit camp in 1950s Israel. The young Haim is disturbed by the suppressed memories of the adults living in the immigrant community, until Farkash, a mysterious, unforgettable character takes Haim under his wing and reveals a sorrowful story that will affect Haim for the rest of his life.

Don Yosef Nasi

Avishai Stockhammer

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.

Make Peace

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

Sarit Gradwohl

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.

Like Dreamers

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.

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