Every once in a while we allow ourselves the pleasure of just kicking back and reading a book. We all have a favorite genre — romance, history, cookbooks, biography, science fiction, self-improvement, fiction, religion, mystery, politics — from new or established authors.
Many of us take it a step further by forming book clubs, where we have lively discussions to dig deeper into the book’s content. Sometimes it’s difficult to find books that are all-encompassing, educational, entertaining, or controversial.
Welcome to the Jewish book club! The selection of literary masterpieces from both unknown and known authors contains everything you’ve been looking for. Let’s explore our books and how to use them in today’s world.
The Torah: It covers everything! Who wrote it? What is it? Are the stories true or made up? Is it still viable in our lives?
The Prophets: Who are they? Did they really foretell the future? Why do we still read about them every week? What do they say about modern-day life? Should we pay attention?
The Talmud: Learn how to win or lose every argument by exploring how to listen, examine, research, or convince as you take a deep dive into the text and topics.
The Book of Proverbs: The first known books of self-improvement and motivation ever written; the insights are still found in today’s secular books. You will be amazed and enlightened by it’s simple life lessons.
The Book of Psalms: The ancient, yet modern love poems that are used by many religions to this day. How can one person be so devoted? How we can take that emotion and apply it to our family and friends? This is the true foundation of Hallmark cards!
The Book of Prayers: Who wrote them? What are the five types of prayers? Are prayers answered? Why do hospitals have chapels? Are prayers outdated or needed now more than ever?
Imagine for a moment that we have completed all the volumes in these six categories of books. Readers will gain knowledge that will help them create a magnificent life through the positive and negative experiences of all those authors who came before them.
This will allow new authors to write their own autobiographies using these texts as reference.
Why not start your personal or group book club today?
Andy Greenberg is a 25-year Conservative Jewish educator of grades 3-12 and a lecturer for adults of all ages.
