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Author and Beth Emet member Susan Van Dusen will join us for an exciting book discussion on her novel, The Missing Hand, a cozy mystery which follows the rules of no sex, no swearing, no violence, but lots of fun and fright. More details below.
Van Dusen has been a teacher in Chicago and Jerusalem, award-winning editorial director of WBBM Radio, magazine and newspaper writer. Author of four children’s books, three on the history of Skokie, and is a founder of “Coming Together in Skokie,” a project to bring diverse cultures together. She has lived in the Village of Skokie for more than 40 years with her hus-band, Mayor George Van Dusen, her son Danny, two perfect grandchildren, Anthony and Zoe, and wonderful daughter-in-law Diana,. Susan’s hobbies are playing the dulcimer, reading, and performing onstage The Missing. Hand is the first in a series of cozies on the Jewish holidays. Van Dusen was featured in Beth Emet’s EmetMail, check it out here.
A valuable heirloom has been stolen. Grievous sins of the past have pushed their way into the present. Murder and ill-gotten gains from World War II Bohemis threaten the peaceful Jewish community of Crestfall, Illinois. Julia, wife of the mayor, is pressed into service to find the yad, a Hebrew word for “hand the pointer that we use to help read the Torah. This stolen yad is adorned in thousands of dollars of precious jewels. With no experience except watching “Law and Order” reruns, Julia and Torah group leader Rabbi Fine attempt to solve the mystery. After solving the first mystery with Jewish logic’s, yet another mystery, much deeper, explores good and bad in the man who brought the yad to America. Heady stuff for a cosy, but humor takes out the sting.
We encourage you to read the book prior to the zoom program, as this is a mystery (we don’t want to spoil it for anyone!). Copies of the book can be purchased at the Synagogue, The Book Stall in Winnetka, or ordered from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Target.
(Postponed) The Arch of Titus and the Jewish Community of Rome with Judith Testa
A Close Look at Prophets with Rabbi Andrea London
Beit Shammai v. Beit Hillel—Legends and History Led by Barry Wimpfheimer
