LAINER LEARNING CENTER/ BLUMENTHAL LIBRARY

Afternoon Library Film Series

Join us in the library for a series of fascinating documentary films and discussions with guest speakers

The Name My Mother Gave Me

In this 2008 inspiring film about growth and self discovery, we follow young Ethiopian and Russian-born army recruits who meet at a leadership training program in Israel. After their year of learning together, they take a transformative journey to Ethiopia where the Ethiopian born teenagers return to their native villages and confront their remarkable roots. Although back home in Israel the participants consider themselves members of the fringes of Israeli society, in the highlands of the Ethiopian landscape they discover the universality of their experiences and their shared commitment to their new home.
(56 min. Hebrew & Amharic with English subtitles)

When: Wednesday, November 18th 1:30 – 3:00 pm
Cost: free of charge

Blessed is the Match: The Life and Death of Hannah Senesh

Narrated by Joan Allen, this award-winning documentary tells the fascinating story of Hannah Senesh, the World War II-era poet and diarist who became a Jewish-Palestinian paratrooper, resistance fighter and modern-day Joan of Arc. With unprecedented access to the Senesh family archive, and through interviews, eyewitness accounts and the prolific writings of Hannah and Catherine Senesh, the film recreates Hannah's mission to save the Jews of Hungary, and her subsequent imprisonment there. (There are two versions of this film; we are showing the 45 minute edited version.)

When: Wednesday, December 16th 1:30 – 3:00 pm
Cost: Free of charge
Guest Speaker: TBA

Praying With Lior

This engrossing, wrenching and tender documentary film introduces Lior Liebling, also called "the little rebbe." Lior has Down syndrome, and has spent his entire life praying with utter abandon. Is he a "spiritual genius" as many around him say? Or simply the vessel that contains everyone's unfulfilled wishes and expectations? As Lior approaches Bar Mitzvah, different characters provides a window into life spent "praying with Lior." The movie poses difficult questions such as what is "disability" and who really talks to God? (87 min.)

When: Wednesday, October 21st 1:30 – 3:00 pm
Cost: Free of charge

Short Story Discussion Group

Have no time to read the whole book? Enjoy reading and discussing modern Jewish literature in the library—We provide you with the story.

Facilitated by Lisa Silverman, Library Director

When: Wednesdays, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Dates: January 6, February 3, March 3, April 7, May 5

Contact: Barbara Goelman, 310-481-3217 or bgoelman@sinaitemple.org for more details.

Evening Book Group

Join us in discussing contemporary Jewish-themed books with the Sinai Temple book group. We are open to all who are interested in good books and good conversation. Come to one or all of our meetings, now held in the Lainer Learning Center’s Library Lounge! Facilitated by Lisa Silverman, Library Director.

This season we are reading the following titles:

Thursday, October 29, 7:30 pm
Gertruda's Oath: A Child, a Promise, and a Heroic Escape During World War II
by Ram Oren (translated from the Hebrew)

Thursday, December 3, 7:30 pm
Songs for the Butcher’s Daughter by Peter Manseau

Thursday, January 14, 7:30 pm
All Other Nights by Dara Horn

Contact Barbara Goelman, 310-418-3217 for more details.

Literary Evenings at the Westwood Branch Library
Co-sponsored by Sinai Temple Blumenthal Library

Sinai Temple and the Westwood branch of the Los Angeles Public Library invite you to spend the evening with the following Jewish Authors as they discuss their newest books. All events take place at the Westwood Library, 1246 Glendon Ave. LA 90024. Call 310-474-1739 to RSVP.

Maybe you can’t solve the world’s problems, but you can do something. This book offers new, easy ideas for small deeds anyone can do. Check out Debbie’s website at DoOneNiceThing.com.

When: Wednesday, September 23 6:30 – 7:45 pm

Jan Goldstein, The Bride Will Keep Her Name: A Novel

With a week to go before the wedding, Maddie receives an anonymous email that suggests that her fabulous fiancé may not be the man she thinks he is. A fun thrill ride; part mystery, part madcap romp, with lots of New York City flavor.

When: Tuesday, October 6, 6:30 – 7:45 pm

Carol Leifer, When You Lie About Your Age, The Terrorists Win: Reflections on Looking in the Mirror

A deeply honest, inspiring, and funny collection of easy-to-read observations about the unpredictability of life by the well-known comedian.

When: Tuesday, December 1, 6:30 – 7:45 pm