Deborah Feldman, author of “Unorthodox: the Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots” will be a guest speaker at Beth El Temple on Wednesday evening December 5th from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. This event is co-sponsored by the Sisterhoods of Beth El Temple and B’nai Tikvoh-Sholom, in partnership with the Mandell JCC Jewish Book Festival.
According to her bio, Deborah Feldman was raised in the cloistered world of Brooklyn’s Satmar Hasidim and struggled as a naturally curious child to make sense of and obey the rigid strictures that governed her daily life. From what she could read to whom she could speak with, virtually every aspect of her identity was tightly controlled. In her memoir “Unorthodox” Deborah reveals what life is like trapped within a religious sect that values silence and suffering over individual freedoms. She sheds new light on this subculture through a harrowing tale of repression and self-discovery.
Following Ms. Feldman’s presentation there will be a dessert reception, book sale and signing. Tickets cost $25 per person which includes an $18 donation to the Torah Fund. The Torah Fund supports the schools and programs of The Jewish Theological Seminary of America. This program will also be preceded by a light supper honoring Torah Fund Benefactors. To RSVP please make your check payable to either the B’nai Tikvoh-Sholom Sisterhood or the Beth El Sisterhood and send it to the attention of Laurie Press, B’nai Tikvoh-Sholom, 180 Still Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002. You may also RSVP to either Temple office and pay by check at the door.
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Beth El Temple is an egalitarian congregation affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. The synagogue strives to create, sustain and strengthen Jewish unity and continuity through personal involvement in meaningful worship, ritual, learning and social action. All are welcome. Located at 2626 Albany Avenue in West Hartford, Beth El is home to worshippers who live in more than a dozen Central Connecticut cities. For more information, please contact Beth El at (860) 233-9696, on the web at www.bethelwesthartford.org or friend us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/bethelwh.
