We are excited to welcome you to the virtual CAO BookGroup, an enriching initiative spearheaded by congregants Sherry Comerchero and Audrey Goldberg. This group will meet four times a year, with the goal of creating a space where we can deepen our understanding of Jewish culture and history, stimulate intellectual discussion around complex topics, and foster a sense of community through literature.
This is not only an opportunity to delve into thought-provoking literature, but also a way to strengthen the bonds within our congregation. By sharing and discussing these books, we aim to create meaningful conversations that resonate with our collective Jewish identity while embracing a diversity of thought.
The virtual CAO BookGroup will explore four Jewish-themed books annually, carefully chosen to offer a wide range of genres, perspectives, and voices—from local authors to international works, fiction, and non-fiction. As part of our commitment to inclusivity and engagement, participants will receive helpful resources before each meeting, such as discussion questions, podcasts, video clips, or fun facts about the author or book, providing a richer and more interactive experience.
The BookGroup will meet via Zoom on the designated date at 7:00 PM and concludes at 8:30 PM. We invite you to join us for an informal conversation 10 minutes before the start. The meeting will commence promptly at 7. The Zoom link will be included in the weekly newsletter the Friday before the BookGroup meet-up.
Here are a few housekeeping tips:
“I refuse to let myself drown in pain. I am surviving… I’m getting out of here. I’m coming home.” — Eli Sharabi, Hostage
Our next book group selection is Hostage by Eli Sharabi, an extraordinary and heartbreaking memoir of survival and loss. This bestselling book invites us into Sharabi’s experiences and encounters in his own words and emotional reactions, rather than through a journalist’s lens. His visceral grief over his family’s deaths, alongside his determination to live after profound trauma, is both devastating and deeply inspiring.
Hostage offers not only a window into one man’s survival and strength, but also a way for us to bear witness together as a community. We hope you’ll consider reading this book and joining our CAO Book Group on January 8, 2026, at 7:00 PM on Zoom for what promises to be a meaningful and thoughtful discussion.
Two donated copies of Hostage are available to borrow from the shul, on the shelf right above the prayer books. Please check with Audrey Goldberg regarding availability.
To receive the Zoom link and join the CAO Book Group, please contact:
Sherry Comerchero – sherrycomerchero@yahoo.com
Audrey Goldberg – audreygoldberg524@gmail.com
The book is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
We hope you’ll join us soon for our next Powerful Book Discussion!
Please send an email, directly to Sherry Comerchero, sherrycomerchero@yahoo.com; or Audrey Goldberg, audreygoldberg524@gmail.com.
BOOK SELECTION: ‘Gangsters vs Nazis: How Jewish Mobsters Battled Nazis in WW2 Era America’, by Michael Benson
On September 4, we gathered to discuss Gangsters vs. Nazis: How Jewish Mobsters Battled Nazis in WW2 Era America by Michael Benson—a gripping, eye-opening account of how Jewish crime figures in 1930s and ’40s America confronted the terrifying rise of Nazi sympathizers on U.S. soil.
More than just a thrilling true story, this book highlights a little-known chapter of Jewish resistance—one that feels especially relevant today. As antisemitism once again makes headlines, Gangsters vs. Nazis reminds us that standing up to hate has long been a part of the Jewish story.
Whether you’re drawn to the intersection of history and justice or simply enjoy a compelling read, we hope you’ll join us for what promises to be a meaningful and lively conversation. All are welcome—whether you’ve read the book in full or just want to engage with the topic.
The book is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and others.
BOOK SELECTION: ‘The Plot Against America,’ by Philip Roth
In this award-winning novel, Philip Roth imagines an alternate 1940s America where famed aviator Charles Lindbergh becomes president. Seen through the eyes of a Jewish family in Newark, the story explores identity, resilience, and what it means to feel at home in a changing country.
With its powerful themes and surprising relevance today, The Plot Against America promises to spark thoughtful conversation.
It is also available in movie form on Prime, Hulu, and HBO.
The book is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and others.
BOOK SELECTION: Tale of Love and Darkness by Amos Oz
Oz masterfully weaves a deeply personal narrative with the broader story of a nation. You’ll journey through his childhood in a war-torn city, growing up in a modest apartment teeming with books in twelve languages and relatives speaking just as many. Witness his profound loss following his mother’s suicide, his decision to break free from familial and societal expectations to join a kibbutz, and his evolution into a writer and political voice for his country.
This is a story of love and loss, resilience and reinvention—one that will touch your heart and challenge your perspectives. Readers often describe Oz’s storytelling as evocative, memorable, and deeply moving, with vivid descriptions of characters and settings that stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.
The book can be found on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Google Play Books, and others.
From two New York Times bestselling authors, a timely, disarmingly honest, and thought-provoking investigation into antisemitism that connects the dots between the tropes and hatred of the past to our current complicated moment.
Our first-ever Book Club welcomed 13 participants to review, Uncomfortable Conversations with a Jew. Thank you to Sherry Comerchero, Audrey Goldberg, Arlyne Rosenberg, and Alice Friedenson for chairing the Book Club and moderating such an insightful discussion.
The book was published on April 30, 2024, and contains 320 pages, including an Antisemitic appendix, Ask Me Anything Jewish definitions, recommendations to read other books on this topic, and notes/bibliography arranged by chapter. It is available for purchase on Amazon, in bookstores, on Audible, etc.
Please send an email, directly to Sherry Comerchero, sherrycomerchero@yahoo.com; or Audrey Goldberg, audreygoldberg524@gmail.com.
