B'nai Israel Congregation

5th and 6th Grade Talmud Torah Classes will meet in the B'nai Israel Parking Lot, weather permitting. Please send your child with a camping chair or similar to sit on, and appropriately dressed for the weather, including a mask.

Karen Batshaw will discuss her book and research documenting the terrible, brutal occupation of Greece by the Nazis. Hidden in Plain Sight shines a light on the plight of Greece’s Jews and the brave attempts of the Archbishop of Athens to protect them. Carefully researched and expertly plotted, this novel’s attention to detail and compelling characters will appeal to fans of historical fiction and those of Jewish faith and Greek Heritage.

Sunday, October 18 (and continuing for 7 more sessions) 11:30 AM–12:15 PM Learn to lead weekday services and/or to chant Torah. These practical skills-focused classes are set up as units; participants may sign up for one unit or for both. Unit 1: Intro to Chanting Torah with Cantor Bolts October 18, 25, and November 8, 15 Unit 2: Intro to Leading Weekday Services with Cantor Josh November 22, and December 6, 13, 20

Monday, October 19 (continuing for 5 more sessions) 7:30–8:45 PM “Portnoy” is the Russian word for “tailor,” but the late writer Philip Roth changed its meaning forever when he published the best-selling book Portnoy’s Complaint in 1969. This 6-week class will focus on the life and works of Roth. Our study will highlight the different stages of his life and writings beginning with Goodbye Columbus (1959) and continuing until Nemesis (2010). Themes will include: Jews in America, families, mortality, sex and love, and politics, as well as his views of women, his love of baseball, and his attachment to Newark. We will also discuss some of the reactions to his award-winning work, especially in the Jewish community. The reading of Goodbye Columbus or Portnoy’s Complaint before the first session is recommended but not required.