Shomrei welcomes Lana Schreier as the new Office Service Administrator. (more…)
Kol Emunah Blog
As the summer begins to wind down (even though it’s not officially over until September 22), let’s try to capture some last glory and intensity through books set in the summer. The following fiction and nonfiction books are available in Shomrei’s Lampert library.
Yael Van de Wouden’s The Safekeep takes place during the hot summer of 1961 in the Netherlands. It’s long enough after World War II that all should be calm. But Isabel, living in her mother’s house in rural Netherlands, discovers that some wars are never really over and things are not always as they seem. This novel was short-listed for the Booker Prize and winner or nominee for many other literary awards.
Allegra Goodman’s Kaaterskill Falls takes place in 1976 in upstate New York where scores of religious Jews make the trek from the city to one of the many summer communities. The story focuses on the restless Elizabeth and the confused Andras. The village’s Rebbe also has his struggles as does the local judge who is faced with the problem of overdevelopment that will change the village’s character. The book was a National Book Award finalist and winner of the Edward Lewis Wallant Award.
Laura Amy Schlitz’s The Hired Girl has escaped her dull, hard life on a Pennsylvania farm to work as a maid in a wealthy Jewish household in Baltimore. It’s the summer of 1911 and the work can be as difficult as farm work in its own way especially when Joan finds herself out of her element trying to understand this family whose customs are so foreign to her. This young adult novel is an award-winning coming-of-age book. Adults readers may also enjoy it for the local color and dramatic arc.It
Leslie Kimmelman ‘s book about friends Sam and Charlie (and Sam too) at Camp is a low-key early chapter book about friendship and the outdoors. It is suitable for readers just beyond easy readers.
Seymour Fleishman’s original Chelm-like tale Too Hot in Potzburg takes advantage of the summer heat. The weather is unbearable so the residents use their “brilliant” problem-solving skills to find a way to cool off. In true Chelm fashion, the solution has its own complications when giant fans are set up to create a breeze.
As the October 7 war nears its second anniversary, one wonders if peace and friendship ever be achieved between Israelis and Palestinians? Some people feel that people to people contact is the way to achieve understanding, if not peace. Sharing Our Homeland is Trisha Marx’s photo essay on the Summer Peace Camp which has brought teens from both sides together for many summers. Amazingly, the camp is still going strong although under much different circumstance since the October war began. Read about the Youth Peace Camp at (https://parentscirclefriends.org/youthpeacecamp) and the long running Seeds of Peace located in Maine.(www.seedsofpeace.org)
Join us in welcoming Rabbi Uri Allen (he/him) as Rabbi Educator. In that role, Rabbi Uri will continue to serve as our preschool music teacher and will also be teaching our Exploring Judaism class.
Rabbi Uri is a guitar playing, abba [father] of three who loves cooking, traveling around the country to see his favorite band Phish, and learning Torah. His passions in the rabbinate are in educating and teaching learners of all ages, and using music to add contour and depth to Jewish rituals and life.
He is also the spiritual leader of Temple Sha’arey Shalom in Springfield NJ, and has served congregations in Philadelphia PA, Roslyn NY, and Perth Amboy NJ. He has over 20 years of experience in Jewish camping and school environments, and has a private Rabbinic practice which gives him more flexibility to do the things he loves. Rabbi Allen received Rabbinic ordination from the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies along with an MA in Rabbinic Studies from American Jewish University, an MA from Tel Aviv University in Jewish Thought in partnership with The Melamdim Teacher Training Program of the Hartman Institute, and he is a graduate of the University of Maryland with a BA in Jewish Studies. He lives in New Jersey with his wife Sari and three children Doron, Aderet and Yedidyah.
Lots of people shy away from nonfiction, thinking that it’s going to be dense, dry and dreary. But well-written nonfiction, especially narrative nonfiction, can be as exciting as the latest best-selling mystery or romance. Biography easily lends itself to good narration since it’s the story of people’s lives, while history is a close second when it tells the story of true events.
As with previously recommended books, these are available in both the BCCLS system and in our library. (more…)
I didn’t grow up eating beans – except as part of the Chile con Carne recipe my mother used to make (a recipe from the year my parents lived in Mexico). And they are still not something I tend to make on a regular basis.
There are, however, lots of reasons to eat more beans. They are a great source of protein, as I keep reading about. They are better for the planet – using less water and land than meat and poultry.
Mostly, though, they are really tasty and a great choice for those hot summer days when I don’t feel like standing over a hot stove or having a hot meal. They are also quick to make if you use canned beans. (more…)
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