January 11, 2024

The Sisters Weiss

Author:

Naomi Ragen

An “unforgettable examination of loyalty and betrayal; the differences that can tear a family apart and the invisible bonds that tie them together.” 

Year Published:

2013

Page Count:

332

February 8, 2024

The Postcard

Author:

Anne Berest, translated by Tina Kover

A beautifully written autobiographical novel about French Jewry during and after the Holocaust, and finding one family’s roots

Year Published:

2023

Page Count:

464

March 14, 2024

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store

Author:

James McBride

“A gathering place for Polish, Bulgarian and Lithuanian Jews — everyone from shoemakers to gangsters — as well as Italian laborers and the so-called ‘colored maids, housekeepers, saloon cleaners, factory workers, and bellhops of Chicken Hill.”

Year Published:

2021

Page Count:

400

April 11, 2024

The Dovekeepers

Author:

Alice Hoffman

“A story about murder, magic, faith, love, loyalty, fate and personal destiny” at Masada.

Year Published:

2011

Page Count:

512

May 9, 2024

Nobody Will Tell You This But Me

Author:

Bess Kalb

A tribute and memoir to her beloved grandmother.

Year Published:

2020

Page Count:

224

June 13, 2024

The Wonder Spot

Author:

Melissa Bank

A novel about Sophie Applebaum’s life.

Year Published:

2005

Page Count:

324

July 11, 2024

Fifth Avenue Glamour Girl

Author:

Renee Rosen

Historical fiction of Estee Lauder’s life.

Year Published:

2023

Page Count:

432

August 8, 2024

Woman on Fire

Author:

Lisa Barr

A budding journalist tracking down looted art to return to rightful heirs with intrigue, deception, and mystery

Year Published:

2022

Page Count:

416

September 11, 2024

The Escape Artist

Author:

Helen Fremont

A deeply troubling memoir of children of Holocaust survivors and the damage caused by keeping secrets.

Year Published:

2020

Page Count:

192

October 10, 2024

Everything is a Little Broken

Author:

Rebecca Sugar

A novel about parenting aging parents based on the author’s life.

Year Published:

2024

Page Count:

192

November 14, 2024

Bessie

Author:

Linda Kass

Historical fiction of Bess Myerson’s life during a time of antisemitism.

Year Published:

2023

Page Count:

256

December 12, 2024

Bookish People

Author:

Susan Coll

A novel about the owner of a small bookshop in DC.

Year Published:

2022

Page Count:

334

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We are deeply grateful to the Sam L. Cohen Foundation for its generous support in the redesign of our website. The foundation’s commitment to preserving Jewish education, tradition, and culture in Southern Maine has made it possible for us to share our mission and connect with our members and the community more effectively.

Mailing Address:
Congregation Etz Chaim
P.O. Box 1473
Biddeford, ME 04005

Physical Address:
Congregation Etz Chaim
34 Bacon Street
Biddeford, ME