Wednesday, December 3, 2025
The Gates of Gaza by Amir Tibon
On October 7, 2023, journalist Amir Tibon and his family hid in a safe room as Hamas gunmen attacked their kibbutz near the Gaza border. His father, a retired peace activist, drove from Tel Aviv to rescue them, armed with only a pistol and determination. Tibon tells the story of that day while examining the long-standing failures and tensions that led to the tragedy. Through interviews and personal reflection, he offers insight into the realities of life along the Gaza-Israel border. This is a powerful blend of memoir and investigative reporting on a region torn by violence and history.

Wednesday, January 28, 2026
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
 When a skeleton is discovered in 1972 in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, it unearths secrets from the neighborhood of Chicken Hill, where Black and Jewish residents once lived in solidarity. The story centers on Chona, a Jewish shopkeeper, and Nate Timblin, a Black janitor, who protect a deaf boy from being institutionalized. Their act of courage exposes the racism and injustice of the town’s white establishment. McBride weaves a tale of love, resistance, and community on the margins of American society. The novel celebrates how ordinary people create hope and dignity in dark times.

Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Soles of a Survivor by Nhi Aronheim
 At age 12, Nhi Aronheim fled Vietnam alone, journeying through the jungle to reach Thailand and eventually the United States. Her memoir tells of surviving war, being adopted by a Christian family, and later converting to Judaism after marrying a Jewish man. Nhi’s story is about transformation, resilience, and forging identity across cultures. She draws meaningful parallels between Jewish and Vietnamese traditions, embracing both in her life. Her story inspires with its message of healing through love, faith, and determination.

Wednesday, May 27, 2026
All the Rivers by Dorit Rabinyan
In New York, Liat, an Israeli student, falls in love with Hilmi, a Palestinian artist, knowing their relationship cannot survive back home. Their affair unfolds away from the constraints of their homeland, yet is shadowed by politics and cultural divides. As Liat prepares to return to Israel, she struggles with guilt and fear of alienating her community. Rabinyan’s novel explores forbidden love and the invisible walls that divide people. It’s a poignant, provocative story about intimacy, identity, and what it means to belong.