For more than a decade, the JCC Book Club has met, and in that time, has read more than 150 books. There’s no surprise, then, that this group did not let the pandemic slow them down. Not only did the group continue to read and meet over Zoom, but the JCC Book Club grew its membership.
The JCC Book Club, JCC Seniors Club, weekly card games, and other programming—are all returning to take place in-person.
“We have a very eclectic group of people in our book club,” says Sherry Lieberman, the club’s facilitator. “Everybody contributes.”
Lieberman says that although she usually chooses the books, many members love to suggest books, and those are considered, as well. The books range from Jewish content and Jewish authors to bestsellers to classics.
The group often reads selections from The Lee & Bernard Jaffe Family Jewish Book Festival, and then goes to events to hear the authors speak. They read the memoir The Apple and the Shady Tree: The Mafia, My Family, and Me and heard the author, Lisa Novick Goldberg speak about the book via Zoom on June 14.
A lot of the members had questions for Goldberg and had the chance to ask her there.
Lieberman says her favorite part of the book club is the discussion. She notes that the discussions make her think about aspects of the book she might not have considered.
“The discussions are very lively and enlightening for everybody,” she says.
Lieberman hopes the book club continues to thrive when they are back in person.
The JCC Book Club meets on the third Monday of each month and welcomes new members. Now, it will have options for both in-person and virtual participation.
For the first official time since the pandemic began, on August 18, the JCC Seniors Club will gather for lunch and to visit with friends. Patsi Walton, the club’s president, is currently working on a calendar of programs. In addition, several exciting day trips are being planned including the Chrysler Glass Studio in Norfolk, the Jewish Museum and Cultural Center in Portsmouth, Norfolk Botanical Garden, and others. The JCC Seniors Club meets for lunch, good conversation, and a program on the third Wednesday of each month at noon.
Game playing is another activity that is returning to in-person programming. Bunco will be offered the first Monday of the month, 1–3 pm; Bridge will be offered the first and third Tuesday of the month (beginning in September); and Mexican Train will be every Friday, 1–5 pm. Mahjong games are coming soon, with dates and times to be determined. All skill levels are welcome. More information about the activities can be found at jewishva.org.
Have ideas for programming or activities? If so, contact Jill Grossman, director, Arts + Ideas, at jgrossman@ujft.org or 757-965-6137.
– Robyn Sidersky