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Book Club: “A Backpack, A Bear, and 8 Crates of Vodka” by Lev Golinkin

by Josie Zeman

Editor’s Note: Due to inclement weather, the Book Club meeting was rescheduled to Mon, Mar 14, 7:30pm.

A Backpack, A Bear, and 8 Crates of Vodka by Lev GolinkinThe Shomrei Book Club had a stimulating discussion of “A Marriage of Opposites” at our January 11th meeting. Everyone enjoyed this novel by Alice Hoffman.

The next book is quite different. “A Backpack, A Bear, and 8 Crates of Vodka” by Lev Golinkin is a compelling story of two intertwined journeys: a Jewish refugee family fleeing persecution and a young man seeking to reclaim a shattered past. In the twilight of the Cold War (the late 1980s), nine-year old Lev Golinkin and his family cross the Soviet border with only ten suitcases, $600, and the vague promise of help awaiting in Vienna. Years later, Lev, now an American adult, sets out to retrace his family’s long trek, locate the strangers who fought for his freedom, and in the process, gain a future by understanding his past. We will meet on Monday, Feb. 8 to discuss this complicated adventure.

All are welcome to join us. Contact Josie Zeman at  for more information if you are interested.

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  • Josie Zeman

    Josie Zeman joined Shomrei in 2007 (not sure) shortly after moving to Montclair to find a compatible community in retirement. She volunteers to do public relations outreach for Shomrei, helps in the office, and the kitchen, organizes sessions of the monthly Book Club, takes classes with the rabbi to learn all the things about Judaism that she never knew growing up in a Reform congregation in the South. She is proud to be a member of this dynamic synagogue!

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