LIFELONG LEARNING
The Lifelong Learning committee works in conjunction with the Rabbi and Benita to coordinate speakers and plan a variety of activities that pique the interest of members of our community to sustain and renew our passion for Jewish learning. Past events have included speakers, films, book discussions, LGBTQ topics, political issues in Israel and Palestine, holidays, and food.
Our activities are also designed to enhance our connection to the HBT community.
Examples of programming for this year
Reading, Eating and Meeting book group.Theme this year is books by Israeli authors.
Poetry Workshop
Swing Dancing
Share your Expertise
Our Temple Hillel B’nai Torah community is blessed with a wealth of contacts and expertise among our own temple members. If you have an idea for a program, are interested in making a presentation or bringing in a guest speaker to present on a topic of interest to our community, please contact Benita at bblock@templehbt.org
Some activities are located within the synagogue and some, in members’ homes. Either way, all activities generally offer small group venues, something to perk your interest and offer a way to become better acquainted with members of our congregation.
If you are new and unfamiliar with an activity or locale, don’t hesitate to call the office for additional information, Chair Shelley Stevens; shelleystevens34@gmail.com
Here are the books and dates for the upcoming year with the HBT Reading, Eating and Meeting book group.
All books are available in multiple formats at BPL, Minuteman libraries, and other suburban systems.
October 26th 10:00am - 12:00 noon
Waking Lions, Ayelet Gundar -Goshen
Plot-driven psychological fiction set in Southern Israel
December 7th 10:00am - 12:00 noon
Songs for the Brokenhearted, Ayelet Tsabari
Family drama, with a connection to a painful chapter in Israeli history about the mass aliyah and absorption of Yemenite Jews.
This book is very popular; *suggest putting your name on the library waiting list right now
February 8th 2026 10:00am - 12:00 noon
A Horse Walks into a Bar, David Grossman
Fiction, set in Netanya, coastal town in Israel (a lot of French and British retirees)
April 12th 2026 10:00am - 12:00 noon
Scenes From Village Life, Amos Oz
Interconnected short stories, set in an Israeli small town
Joan Leegant- Book Talk
Sunday afternoon Dec. 15th we had a strong turnout for local author, Joan Leegant, who spoke about her new book, Displaced Persons. A dynamic and engaging speaker, Joan read excerpts from her collection of short stories, half of which took place in the U.S. and half in Israel. She truly made the characters come alive as she read and discussed her writing process.
As an active member of Jewish authors in Israel and the diaspora, she shared recent difficulties Israeli authors are experiencing since Oct. 7th. Many are experiencing boycotts of their work by publishers and book stores. Others are no longer invited to book festivals. On her book tours to many synagogues, she is encouraging members of the Jewish community to purchase books by Jewish authors and also request that libraries carry particular Jewish books that you are interested in reading.
Shelley Stevens - Lifelong Learning Committee
