Announcing the 2026 - 2027 Season

The Marsha Razin Book and Film Club, sponsored by the Benjamin Children’s Library, is open to all adults in Beit Shemesh. We have a wonderful, diverse selection of books for the 2026/27 season, with three copies of each book in the library for any library member to borrow for a one-week period. While in the past our books tended to take us to fascinating countries, this year’s selection is more character-centered.

All meetings are at the Benjamin Library and start at 7:30 PM. Additional information on each book is available on the website of the Benjamin Library.

Here's our schedule:

  • September 7 - Netflix movie or mini-series to be announced soon
  • October 12 - Culpability by Bruce Holsinger. This book examines the pros and cons of AI as it affects various members of one family and the disastrous consequences of its misuse.
  • November 9 - Theo of Golden by Allen Levi. This book not only allows the reader to know this charming, generous, yet slightly mysterious man, Theo, but also everyone with whom he interacts. Join us to learn more about this very popular book's unusual path to publication.
  • December 14 - The Correspondent, by Virginia Evans. This much talked about novel consists entirely of a series of letters and emails written by a 73-year-old retired lawyer, and through each one, we get a better insight into her life and personality.
  • January 11 - The Memory of an Elephant by Alex Lasker. Although the book's protagonist is an animal, his character and the humans who care for him are developed in a heart-warming way.
  • February 8 - The River We Remember by William Kent Kruger. Kruger is one of our favorite authors and this book doesn’t disappoint. It centers on a small town sheriff, and, through a murder investigation, his background and personality are developed.
  • March 8 - The Little Liar by Mitch Albom. In this new book by this very popular author, we’re taken to Salonika, London, and finally New York as we understand more and more about Nico Krispis and why he went from the most honest person to a "little liar".
  • April 12 - Family of Spies by Christine Kuehn. If you’ve ever wondered how the Japanese knew when and exactly where to bomb Pearl Harbor, join us as we discuss this book, as the author tells of the prominent roll her grandparents and aunt played in “the day that will live in Infamy” and what led up to this.
  • May 17 - Whistler by Ann Patchett. This book has been called her finest work to date by many reviewers. Through a random meeting in an art museum, we are introduced to a family of multiple colorful characters. Developing further with each interaction, the depth of the significance and the love they share are palpable.

Discussions take place at our monthly Monday evening meetings at 7:30PM. If any of these literary works sound interesting, feel free to join us for a lively, thoughtful and entertaining evening. For a complete schedule and book blurbs, refer to the Benjamin Children’s library’s website.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact either facilitator:

Jackie Rouder at [email protected] or Abby Hochhauser at [email protected].

We look forward to seeing you!