Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By richards on August 22, 2013

, j. staff

David Knepler, a voracious reader and co-founder of Gan HaLev, the Jewish Congregation of the San Geronimo Valley, already considered his Jewish American Fiction Book Club a success. Founded in July 2011, the club consistently drew 15 to 20 people to each meeting, and their conversations were deeply engaging.

Then, just before the clubs meeting in May to discuss Chandler Burrs 2010 novel You or Someone Like You, something unexpected happened: Chandler Burr asked if he could join in.

Responding to a listing about the book club meeting in the Marin Independent-Journal, the East Coastbased author emailed Knepler and asked if he could participate by Skype.

David Knepler

What began as a fluke email from an author has grown into a regular feature of meetings; author Irina Reyn will join the group via Skype on Sept. 11 to discuss her novel What Happened to Anna K., a reimagining of Tolstoys Anna Karenina. On Nov. 13, Tova Mirvis will participate in the discussion about The Ladies Auxiliary, her book about a close-knit Orthodox community in Memphis, Tenn.

Knepler says its been interesting to consider the codependent relationship between writers and readers as a result. I think for every J.D. Salinger who wants to stick his head in the sand and be aloof from his readers, theres a three-dimensional writer who thrives on that relationship with readers, whos really enthusiastic about discussing their work.

Knepler, who also belongs to two other book clubs, got the idea for a group focused on Jewish fiction after he noticed that novels with Jewish themes such as Dara Horns The World to Come or works by Philip Roth were sometimes difficult to dissect thoroughly in a larger group, where he might be the only Jewish member.

Sometimes other members would ask, What do you think of this, as a Jewish American male? says Knepler. And I would say, you know, hold on. My experience isnt necessarily the Jewish American male experience. I dont speak for everyone.

Further inspired by a list of great Jewish books of the 20th century that the San Rafael Public Library published for Jewish Heritage Month, Knepler founded the club to delve into the philosophic, the emotional, the humorous, the heartbreaking and even the bawdy side of being Jewish in America. Co-sponsors include Gan HaLev, the Fairfax Library and the Center for Jewish Peoplehood at the Marin JCC, with books often provided for free by Jewish LearningWorks.

Read more:
Jewish book club attracts authors who want a seat at the table

Category: Jewish American Heritage Month
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