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Learn About Our New CHAI-TE Book Club

Oct 25, 2021 / 19 Heshvan, 5782

Temple Emanu-El is excited to welcome residents of CHAI (Community Homes for Adults, Inc.) to a book club for people with IDD (Intellectual Developmental Disabilities). This book club is a popular bi-weekly event for the residents engaging people in our Jewish community with IDD.

Each meeting members explore themes in the book from friendship and family to truth and values discussing question like:

  • What does it mean to be a good friend? Our book club had a great discussion about the qualities of a true friend.
  • Is it ever okay to tell a “white lie” (like a character in one of our books) or is truth always more important? Our members have a collective strong moral compass and came down strongly supporting truth as a constant.
  • Have you ever been bullied? What did you tell yourself to counter the mean things said or done by someone else? Our members reflected on times in life where others didn’t understand their disability and made them feel bad just for being themselves. They also shared strong affirmations and ways they empowered themselves to not buy into the messages of a bully.
  • What does it take to be part of a family? How do we form connections with other people later in life making our own families? Values like loyalty and trust were discussed as members realized that after four years, the book club is like a little family.Books in the past have included: About Winn-Dixie, A Wrinkle in Time, When Zachary Beaver Came to Town, Harriet the Spy, The Long Secret, Wonder, Mr. Popper’s Penguins, and the group is just starting Beezus and Ramona.

Each book culminates with a P3: Pizza-Popcorn Party Movie Night comparing the book and the movie. The group chose Beezus and Ramona for their new book as Selena Gomez plays Beezus in the movie and it is sure to be a fun party and celebration.

If this sounds like something you or a family member would enjoy, we would love to have you join our CHAI-TE Book Club, a joint program between Community Homes for Adults, Inc. and Temple Emanu-El Inclusion. Please reach out to Lorraine Friedman, our Director of Inclusion, for more information.