Rabbi Jodie Gordon Takes Over as Hevreh’s Senior Rabbi

In September 2024, Rabbi Jodie Gordon was installed as senior rabbi at Hevreh of Southern Berkshire in Great Barrington, a Reform congregation with the largest membership of any synagogue in the Berkshires. In November, the BJV caught up with Rabbi Gordon to talk about her experience at…

Celebrate Jewish Books: "Einstein in Kafkaland"

"Einstein in Kafkaland: How Albert Fell Down the Rabbit Hole and Came Up with the Universe" is Ken Krimstein's brilliant graphic exploration of how two geniuses in search of "the true truth" were working at the same time in Prague circa 1911-1912. A perfect Chanukah gift for anyone who…

This Chanukah - Celebrate Jewish Books. Support Jewish Authors.

In the wake of Oct. 7 2023, there has been a backlash against Jewish authors and Jewish-themed books. They are being canceled by publishers, reviewers, and booksellers. This Chanukah, make a difference at a time when our thinkers and our culture are being canceled due to antisemitic…

On "Cold Crematorium: Reporting From the Land of Auschwitz"

An appreciation of Jozsef Debreczeni's essential Holocaust memoir, "Cold Crematorium," recently rediscovered and translated into English for the first time. Jewish Book Month is 11/24-12/24 - Support Jewish books.

A Friend Remembers Paul Olchvary, translator of Cold Crematorium

Jenny Gitlitz remembers her friend, Paul Olchvary (1966-2024), who lived and worked in the Berkshires while translating Jozsef Debreczeni's Holocaust memoir "Cold Crematorium."