One of the highlights, for me, of Friday night services at RSNS is witnessing parents entrust books to their children on the eve of their becoming B’nei mitzvah. Maybe it’s the librarian and teacher in me, but I am always moved by the care and hope invested in these choices. This cherished part of the RSNS B’nei Mitzvah experience – presenting books of Jewish and secular topics – is a deeply personal expression of the two civilizations that Reconstructing Judaism celebrates.
Jews in sports. Jews in entertainment. Jewish humor. Jewish cookbooks that chronicle the story of our people’s communities across the globe and across the centuries. Jews in social justice. Famous and admirable Jewish Americans. Fictional heroes and heroines who make Jewish history come alive as their struggles touch our hearts. Identity. Pride. Curiosity. Understanding. Wanting to learn more.
I have always found this fascinating ritual to be a clear window into how RSNS parents really are tuned into their kids’ interests and dreams and how they truly hope to pass on a love of learning about our Jewish heritage. We really do have a unique community of intelligent and caring parents!
As you know, we are the People of the Book. There are so many books out there, though, that we can use some help in narrowing down our choices. We’d love to hear from you as we continue updating our list of suggested books. Have you given, received, or read a book of Jewish interest that you can recommend? Young adult books are, of course, a focus. But kids grow into books, so don’t worry about reading levels or suggested age groups. There’s nothing like having a personal bookshelf underneath the posters of sports and rock stars. We welcome ALL suggestions!*
A quote from the Talmud: “I learned much from my teachers, more from my colleagues, and most of all from my pupils.”Let’s make this list a testament to our being a community that learns with and from each other. A community dedicated to passing on to our children a love of our heritage.
L’shana tovah. As the season of thinking about books of life draws near, let’s create together our own booklist of Jewish life.
*Please send your suggestions to me at
Susan Bourla
Member of the Education Committee
