24 May 2018

Liberal Judaism will launch the first ever Biennial Book Club, as one of the evening activity sessions on offer at our movement’s flagship event of 2018.

Led by Kingston Liberal Synagogue member and cheder teacher Sandra Webber, the book club will read and discuss The Periodic Table by the acclaimed Italian Jewish author and Holocaust survivor Primo Levi (1919 – 1987).

The Periodic Table is a collection of 21 short stories, each named after a chemical element, that interlace the author’s experiences in Fascist Italy, and later in Auschwitz, with his passion for scientific knowledge and discovery.

It was voted as the best science book ever by the Royal Institution in 2006.

Sandra, an Italian language and literature graduate, said: “I am delighted to be leading the discussion on this important and acclaimed book. People don’t have to read all the stories, they can simply dip in as they wish. And even if you don’t have time to read the book, you are still more than welcome to come and join the discussion.”

You can purchase a copy of The Periodic Table here or from any good book shop. You can also borrow a copy from your local library.

Read The Guardian’s review of the book here.

The Liberal Judaism Biennial Weekend takes place from Friday June 29 – Sunday July 1 at the St Johns Hotel, just outside of Birmingham. Speakers include Rabbi Danny Freelander, the president of the World Union for Progressive Judaism, Board of Deputies chief executive Gillian Merron and campaigner Barbara Winton, the daughter and biographer of the late Sir Nicholas Winton.

The theme for the conference is ‘Liberal Judaism: The Formula for Truly Progressive Judaism’ and it will seek to explore what makes our movement what it is today.