The group meets on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 1pm in the Conference Room at the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Contact our Library Specialist by email or phone (402) 334-6464.
November 15, 1979 marked the debut of the Jewish Federation Library Book Discussion Group, later renamed the “Dorothy Kaplan Book Discussion Group.” In association with the Jewish Federation of Omaha Library, a group of dedicated women, including the late “library diva” Dorothy Kaplan z”l, began the club. It is believed that throughout the country this is the oldest Jewish book group in continuous existence. The group selects books with Jewish content and/or books written by Jewish authors which are designed to appeal to readers of different ages and tastes. With the diversity of topics – everything from poetry and mysteries to science fiction and biographies – and with occasional guest facilitators, including authors, today’s “Dorothy Kaplan Book Group” offers something for everyone. The group welcomes new members.
The Dorothy Kaplan Book Group meets on the third Thursday of the month at 1pm in the Wiesman Family Reception Room at the Jewish Federation of Omaha. There is no cost to join and there is always an insightful exchange of observations, opinions and critiques during the group meetings.
Contact our Library Specialist by email or phone (402) 334-6464.
September | Fifth Avenue Glamor Girl by Renee Rosen
It’s 1938, and a young woman selling face cream out of a New York City beauty parlor is determined to prove she can have it all. Her name is Estée Lauder, and she’s about to take the world by storm, in this dazzling new novel from the USA Today bestselling author of The Social Graces and Park Avenue Summer.
In New York City, you can disappear into the crowd. At least that’s what Gloria Downing desperately hopes as she tries to reinvent herself after a devastating family scandal. She’s ready for a total life makeover and a friend she can lean on—and into her path walks a young, idealistic woman named Estée. Their chance encounter will change Gloria’s life forever.
Estée dreams of success and becoming a household name like Elizabeth Arden, Helena Rubinstein, and Revlon. Before Gloria knows it, she is swept up in her new friend’s mission and while Estée rolls up her sleeves, Gloria begins to discover her own talents. After landing a job at Saks Fifth Avenue, New York’s finest luxury department store, Gloria finds her voice, which proves instrumental in opening doors for Estée’s insatiable ambitions.
But in a world unaccustomed to women with power, they’ll each have to pay the price that comes with daring to live life on their own terms and refusing to back down.
Join the Dorothy Kaplan Book Group for a Virtual Q&A with author Renee Rosen RSVP
Thursday, September 18 at 1:00 pm Benjamin & Anna E. Wiesman Family Reception Room – 333 S 132nd Street
The group will be reading Rosen’s Fifth Avenue Glamor Girl leading up to the Q&A. We request that attendees have read the novel beforehand to facilitate an engaging discussion with the author. Copies of the book are available in stores, online and in the Kripke-Veret Library Collection at the JFO. There is no cost to participate, but we ask you to please register. Contact Shirly Banner at sbanner@jewishomaha.org for more details.
Jan | Mr. Perfect on Paper by Jean Meltzer
Feb | The Auschwitz Detective by Jonathan Dunsky
Mar | The Stranger in the Lifeboat by Mitch Albom
May | Not Quite Kosher by Stuart Kaminsky
June | The Dinner Party by Brenda Janowitz
July | The Outside World by Tova Mirvis
August | An Unorthodox Match by Naomi Ragen
Feb | As Close to Us as Breathing by Elizabeth Poliner
Mar | We were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter
May | You and Me and Us by Alison Hammer
Jun | The Yid: A Novel by Paul Goldberg
Jul | Goodnight Nobody by Jennifer Weiner
Aug | The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
Sep | Queen for a Day by Maxine Rosaler
Nov | Ethel Rosenberg: An American Tragedy by Anne Sebba
Dec | A Jewish Girl in Paris by Melanie Levensohn
