The Book Club announced changes to its schedule. The discussion of “On Her Own: A Novel” by Lihi Lapid, translated from the Hebrew by Sondra Silverston, will take place on Tuesday, November 4. On Tuesday, August 5, the book to be discussed will be “The Ladies Auxiliary: A Novel” by Tova Mirvis. The complete schedule follows.

• August 5: “The Ladies Auxiliary: A Novel” by Tova Mirvis
• September 2: “The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern” by Lynda Cohen Loigman
• October 21: “The Wh...

By Reporter staff

The Reporter won two 2025 Simon Rockower Awards for Excellence in Jewish Journalism. Bill Simons won second place in the Excellence in Writing about Sports category for his article “The winningest Jewish pitcher of all-time: Kenny Holtzman,” about which the judges said, “Excellent article. Easy to read. Well researched.” Simons also won honorable mention in that category for his “My dinner with Abel: Jewish Olympian remembered,” about which the judges said, “W...

Hillel Academy will hold its annual Journal Celebration on Thursday, September 11, from 6:30-9 pm, at Temple Israel. “This year’s event promises to be a vibrant evening of recognition, gratitude and community spirit featuring a lively Pop Art theme inspired by student artwork from the 2024-25 school year,” said organizers of the event. The cost for the dinner is $100 per person or $600 for a table. To purchase tickets or place an ad honoring this year’s honorees, e-mail hilleljournalg...

By Bill Simons

Depictions of interfaith romance, sex and marriage have long elicited Jewish commentary as evidenced by the Bible. The Book of Ruth is a story of inclusion. After the death of her Hebrew husband, the Moabite woman Ruth tells her mother-in-law Naomi, “[W]herever you go, I will go… your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” Conversely, the manipulative Philistine beauty Delilah robs the Hebrew judge Samson of his hair, strength and life. And the usually wise Kin...