Monroe Township Library to host Jewish series

The Monroe Township Public Library wants to increase awareness of Jewish literature and culture with a five-part discussion series beginning next month.

By: Bill Greenwood
   MONROE — The Monroe Township Public Library wants to increase awareness of Jewish literature and culture with a five-part discussion series beginning next month.
   The free series, "Let’s Talk About It: Jewish Literature," will begin May 8 at 1:30 p.m. and continue with one discussion each month for the following four months.
   "Demographically, we’re very rich in Jewish culture in our area," said Gina Blume, library public relations coordinator. "This will be another avenue to their heritage."
   The series, in its third year in Monroe, is a national program sponsored by the American Library Association and Nextbook, a national organization that promotes Jewish literature.
   The Monroe library is one of 200 nationally to receive grants from these organizations for the series, which has the theme "Neighbors: The World Next Door."
   Ms. Blume said the series also is receiving local support from the Jewish Historical Society of Central New Jersey.
   The first discussion, to be held May 8, will focus on the book "A Journey to the End of the Millennium" by A.B. Yehoshua.
   The book, set in the year 999, revolves around a North African Jewish merchant in a partnership with his nephew and a Muslim trader. It explores the differences between the traditions of European Sephardic Jews and Middle Eastern Ashkenazic Jews and echoes current social and ideological conflicts within Israel, Ms. Blume said.
   "It’s Jews and Muslims who were partners in this business," Ms. Blume said. "So, it would be pertinent today because of everything that’s going on in Israel."
   Copies of the book for attendees to read in advance are available at the library’s circulation desk.
   All of the discussions will be led by Mildred Goodwin, a Monroe resident who has facilitated the series since its inception. She is a professor emeritus at New Jersey City University and coordinator of three study groups for the Brandeis University National Women’s Committee. She also teaches a cinema course twice a year for the township’s adult education program and has her own television program on local cable channel WCOC, titled "Movies With Mildred."
   The series will continue with discussions of Isaac Babel’s "Red Cavalry" on June 12, Jan Gross’ "Neighbors" on July 10, Bernard Malamud’s "The Assistant" on Aug. 14 and Gish Jen’s "Mona in the Promised Land" on Sept. 4.
   To register, call (732) 521-5000 or sign up at the library’s circulation desk.