Congregation Kneseth Israel hosts conversations with author Anita Diamant Sept. 9-11
The celebration of Congregation Kneseth Israel's 130th anniversary continues this weekend, Sept. 9-11, with best-selling author Anita Diamant.
Billed as a weekend of "Conversations with Anita Diamant," she will talk about her Jewish lifecycle books as part of the Oneg Shabbat, the social hour after regular Friday night services. She will discuss her fiction writing on Saturday evening at CKI, and on Sunday afternoon at Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin.
Sue Johnson, 130th Anniversary chair, commented: "For generations, CKI has had active book discussion groups. We are very excited to host one of our favorite authors."
Diamant has written 13 books, both fiction, such as "The Red Tent," "Boston Girl," "Day After Night," "The Last Days of Dogtown," and "Good Harbor," and nonfiction like "Jewish Wedding Now," "The New Jewish Baby Book," "Choosing a Jewish Life," and "Living a Jewish Life."
The award-winning journalist's work has appeared in The Boston Globe Magazine, Real Simple, Parenting, Boston Magazine and WBUR's online magazine, Cognoscenti. She lives in the Boston area, and is the founding president of Mayyim Hayyim Living Waters Community Mikveh and Education Center.
In honor of her latest book, "Period, End of Sentence," Congregation Kneseth Israel will be collecting period products such as tampons and pads to help the women at the Community Crisis Center in Elgin.
On Friday, Sept. 9, the service begins at 7 p.m. and are followed by an Oneg Shabbat and her discussion on "My Jewish Life - An Autobiography In Six Guidebooks + A Mikveh." It will be offered in person and on Zoom.
On Saturday, Sept 10, "What Does It Mean to Be a Jewish Novelist?" will be held at 7 p.m. in person or Zoom. A Havdalah service will follow. Diamant's books will be available for purchase and autographs.
In addition to two programs at Congregation Kneseth Israel, the Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove in Elgin, will host Diamant to continue the discussion, "A Conversation with Best-Selling Author Anita Diamant" at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11.
To learn more about Congregation Kneseth Israel, 330 Division Street, Elgin, and its award-winning programs, contact Rabbi Margaret Frisch Klein at (978) 590-8268 or rabbi@ckielgin.org.