Literary Programs

Libraries store the energy that fuels the imagination. They open up windows to the world and inspire us to explore and achieve, and contribute to improving our quality of life. Libraries change lives for the better. —Sidney Sheldon

The Odell/Diamond Library was endowed by Arlene and Jerry Odell in memory of their parents, Pauline & Samuel Odell and Sara & Joseph Diamond, and offers a full range of in-depth Judaic materials such as classic texts, scholarly material, pleasure reading, religious guidebooks, Jewish children’s books, and more. Sally Brown, our knowledgeable librarian, hosts monthly Short Story Discussions and various Author Talks throughout the year and helps our MLRT family obtain the materials they need to connect with Judaism intellectually, spiritually, and in hands-on practice.

Main Line Reform Temple is a member of the Jewish Book Council, and as such, able to get incredibly in-demand authors to speak at Friday night Shabbat services, Sisterhood brunches, a literary lunch held in honor of Jewish Book Month, and the newly added Brotherhood Shabbat.

Read, and dive into a new world! Join in our lively discussions once a month of a wide range of incredible Jewish short stories from a variety of genres–fiction, memoir, history, and more. From our diverse body of Jewish Literature, we read masters such as Bernard Malamud, Philip Roth, Saul Bellow, Amos Oz, Ruth Calderon, Nathan Englander, Molly Antopol, R.L. Maizes, and Grace Paley. This month’s short story is available at the front desk. All are encouraged to pick up a copy, read, and attend our next discussion on Thursday, April 13 on Zoom and in person at MLRT.

Short Story Discussion Group
Thursday, May 11 | 12:00 pm at MLRT & on Zoom
Our May 11 discussion will be “Knitting One” by Suzan Sherman. The story explores the present-day dilemma of interfaith dating. Download the short story here. We hope to see you in person or via Zoom for this discussion.

Join the Zoom discussion here.

Bill Wolf endowed a program in loving memory of his wife Ella C. Wolf to bring an author every year to Main Line Reform Temple to speak at Shabbat services, which is continued today by their grandson, Jeffrey Margolis. We have hosted dynamic, award-winning authors such as Alana Newhouse, David Dalin, Dan Ephron, Ariel Sabar, Yossi Klein Halevi, and Jamie Bernstein. Our next Ella C. Wolf Lecture will take place in 2023.

Support Main Line Reform Temple’s Odell/Diamond Library and donate to the Carroll and Charlotte Cohen Weinberg Multi- Media Resource Fund. 

JEWISH BOOK COUNCIL AUTHOR NETWORK
Main Line Reform Temple is a member of the Jewish Book Council. This marvelous organization makes it possible for us to bring in Jewish writers to highlight their wonderful new books. We hope you will be able to meet and greet these diverse and interesting authors who have written about the many facets of our rich Jewish life.