KATZ FAMILY LIBRARY NEWS – January 2009

 The book drive that the library held in conjunction with the Sandi Kupperman Learning Center during Jewish Book Month was a great success.  We collected a total of 418 books to donate to Reading Tree!  The fourth grade was the winner with 105 books and they won an ice cream party for their class.  Thanks to everyone who donated books!

 BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP NEWS

The January selection for the book group is The Man in the White Sharkskin Suit by Lucette Lagnado.  This highly acclaimed memoir details an Egyptian Jewish family’s exile from Cairo.  We will meet on January 14 at 10:30 in the library.

January is a great month to get out and join the book group.  Everyone is welcome to attend, and the discussions are always engaging and informative.  Our facilitator, Suzanne Chorowski, has a wealth of knowledge and keeps things lively.  Call the library if you would like to attend, or just come to the next meeting. 

 The library is always adding new materials; here are a few of the latest:

 The Counterfeiters (DVD) This true story of survival during World War II won an Academy Award for the Best Foreign Language Film.

 The Lazarus Project: a novel by Aleksandar Hemon.  Nominated for the National Book Award, the author has taken the historical mystery of the death of Lazarus Averbuch in 1908 and created a rich novel around it.

 The Jewish Family Fun Book by Danielle Dardashti.  A celebration of Jewish family life and fun activities both at home and on the road. 2^nd edition.

 Surprised by God:  How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Religion by Danya Ruttenberg.  A remarkable religious coming-of-age story, where the author makes a journey from the mosh pit to the rabbinate. 

 If the “interesting” New England weather in January keeps you inside, please remember that I am happy to drop library materials off at your home- just give me a call!

 The library will be open during the following hours in December:
Monday 1:30 to 5:30
Tuesday 11 to 2
Wednesday 1:30 to 5:30

 Liz Marinelli, librarian
Library web site: http://www.tbespringfield.org/kfl.html
Library email: katzlibrary@comcast.net
Phone: 733-4149 x116

BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP NEWS

The book group will meet on December 10 to discuss the award-winning book by Tamar Yellin, The Genizah at the House of Shepher.  The discovery of a mysterious, handwritten volume of the Bible, apparently the property of biblical scholar Shulamit Shepher's great-grandfather, brings Shulamit from her home in England back to her family's small bungalow in Jerusalem.  Both genealogical history and treasure hunt, this wide-ranging novel is a meditation on the power of the Holy City, able to restore or shake the faith of whoever enters.  Join us as Suzanne Chorowski leads us in a discussion of this winner of the Sami Rohr Prize for Jewish Literature on December 10 at 10:30 in the library.

Looking ahead to January, the group will meet on January 14 to discuss The Man in the White Sharkskin Suit by Lucette Lagnado.  This highly acclaimed memoir details an Egyptian Jewish family’s exile from Cairo.

Hanukkah falls during the school vacation this year, so be sure to check out the latest holiday books and materials before the vacation:  

Where Is Baby's Dreidel?: A Lift-the-Flap Book by Karen Katz.  
My First Menorah by Salina Yoon
The Ziz And the Hanukkah Miracle by Jacqueline Jules
Letter on the Wind: A Chanukah Tale by Sarah Marwil Lamstein

The library will be open during the following hours in December:
Monday 1:30 to 5:30
Tuesday 11 to 2
Wednesday 1:30 to 5:30

The library will be closed during the school vacation from December 23 to January 5.

Liz Marinelli, librarian
Library web site: http://www.tbespringfield.org/kfl.html
Library email: katzlibrary@comcast.net
Phone: 733-4149 x116