Community invited to read, discuss ‘Disobedience’

By Jewish Review

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What if everyone read the same book and then had the chance to discuss the issues it raises with others? That is the basis of Neveh Shalom Reads, a first in what organizers anticipate will become an annual event.

Open to the entire community, the program features choices of six afternoon and evening home discussions April 6 to 10.

“This year we chose ‘Disobedience,’ winner of the Orange Award for New Writers, a first novel by talented young British author Naomi Alderman,” said Rabbi Daniel Isaak.

The events center on Ronit Krushka, a 32-year-old, estranged daughter of the preeminent rabbi of the London Orthodox Jewish community. Living a secular life in New York, she decides to return home when she learns of the death of her father. Community leaders, cognizant of her rebellious past and fearful of her destructive influence, consider her a threat to their established way of life.

The book raises issues about Jewish tradition and modernity, of the desire to maintain the sanctity of the community at the cost of rejecting one of their own, of responsibility verses the insecurity that new ideas may arouse, of belief and doubt, family and relationships.

April 6-10 discussions will be Sunday evening in SW Portland; Monday evening in NW Portland; Wednesday afternoon and evening in Lake Oswego; Thursday afternoon in NW Portland; and Thursday evening in NE Portland.

Discussion leaders are Cheryl Livneh, Carol Isaak, Selma Duckler, Gail Marger, Kimberly Marlowe Hartnet and Rabbi Isaak.

To join a discussion, contact JoAnn Bezodis (jbezodis@nevehshalom.org; 503-293-7309).