Upcoming Events

Ahavas Israel Reading Group

Our next book group discussion is on Wednesday, February 17 to discuss A Rabbi’s Daughter, by Avigail Graetz. This family novel travels from 1999, when the heroine’s grandmother is on her deathbed, to 1993 when Elisheva is still an adolescent. Her mother was away and she and her father, a conservative rabbi, found themselves hosting a strange American women that entered their home. This visit has changed their lives and only now, as the grandmother is departing the world she is brave enough to face her story and the motherhood legacy she received. This is a semi-autobiographical story of three generations of strong women.

Mark your calendars for future Book Group reads:

Thursday, May 20 - Levittown: Two Families, One Tycoon, and the Fight for Civil Rights in America’s Legendary Suburb by David Kushner. Nonfiction. A multilayered tale of public policy, personal desire for a better life, McCarthyism, and Communist Party support for civil rights.

Wednesday, August 18 - Not Our Kind by Kitty Zeldis. About a Jewish woman working as a tutor for a Protestant family.

Please contact Sandy Freed for more information at 616-540-2030, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Study Groups

Rabbi Krishef’s study groups are meeting online. See the synagogue calendar or contact the rabbi for the zoom link. We hope to begin meeting in person sometime this summer, but we’ll maintain the zoom link until the coronavirus danger has completely passed.

Introduction to Judaism

Taught by Rabbi David Krishef

Beginning Monday, October 19, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Cost: $70/members and B’nai Noah affiliates, $95/non-members (includes a copy of the sourcebook)

A basic introduction to Jewish history, beliefs, rituals, holidays, and life cycle celebrations, taught in partnership with the Miller Intro to Judaism Program at American Jewish University. The syllabus will be available for download from AhavasIsraelGR.org under Adult Education Programs (or call the office to have it mailed/emailed to you).

This class will be offered by Zoom and in person. Those coming in person will need to wear masks. Seating will be appropriately socially distanced.

• Thursday Tanakh study, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m., Schuler Books and Music, 28th St. (either in the back of the store or in the café). We are studying the books of Kings. Exciting narrative! Intrigue! Politics! Backstabbing! Join us.

• Jewish mysticism/Zohar study group, Mondays, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m., Ahavas Israel library. We are reading through Daniel Matt’s translation and commentary of the Zohar.

Delving Into Our History

With the help of Peg Finkelstein from the Temple Emanuel Archives, significant progress has been made on Ahavas Israel's Gen and Jack Finkelstein Archives, generously funded by Mort and Peg Finkelstein and Raleigh Finkelstein in memory of their parents. Contributions to the Gen and Jack Archive Fund provide continued support. The committee is working at the synagogue Wednesday mornings from 10AM until noon. If you are interested in being a part of this important project, please contact Toby Weiner Dolinka at 949-6528.

If you have materials (especially photographs) that would be valuable for the archives, please contact Toby.

Family Promise

We provide meals and support to our partner congregation in the Family Promise shelter program, Trinity Lutheran Church, 2700 Fulton St E. Please help - we need volunteers to bring part of a meal and participate in organizing children’s activities. To help, contact Mort Hoffman, 616-949-6088 or 616-361-2738.

Ahavas Israel Reading Group

Study Groups

Delving Into Our History

Family Promise

Jewish Date