The BJE Jewish Community Library offers resources and consultation for book groups.

Whether you are thinking of starting a group or are already in one, we can help every step of the way. You can reserve one title or schedule a year's worth.

We invite you to "Think Inside the Box" with our Book Club in a Box and Film Club in a Box programs: everything you need for a great discussion, all FREE of charge.

For more information, please contact:
Jim Van Buskirk at 415.567.3327 x 712. Books and Multi-boxes: include twelve copies of each title, with discussion questions and other background information.

• Books include contemporary and classic fiction, literary memoirs, and nonfiction. Non-fiction titles cover a range of topics, from Jewish history and culture to life cycle events and spirituality.
• Multi-boxes are two or more titles on the same theme to be discussed at a single meeting. Members can read all the selections or the group can be divided up so that some read different titles. Discussion questions suggest ways to connect and contrast the books for a stimulating conversation.

Mini-courses: created by noted Bay Area scholars, each mini-course is designed to be held in three two-hour sessions. A detailed handbook along with discussion questions for the participants allow for an intensive exploration of a subject, using books, film, and other media. We can provide a trained facilitator:

• if you belong to an on-going book group, once a year at your usual meeting place or at the BJE Jewish Community Library.
• if you want to start a new group, to help you get it up and running.

• Read and discuss a short story in the same session
• Watch and discuss a film in the same session
• Read and discuss an issue of Sh’ma magazine distributed in advance
• Read and discuss a book distributed in advance