Talmud Night (e-book) (used book) | Charles Simon | bookbook.eu

Description

David DuVin, a rabbi in his late thirties, has recently been engaged by a dying middle-class suburban congregation. The community is so middle class it lacks gardeners and landscape architects. For a variety of reasons, his contracts were not renewed in his prior positions. As a result, he fully understands that his future, as both a husband and a rabbi, depends, against all odds, upon his being successful.David approaches situations instinctively and more often than not, succeeds without the slightest idea how or why it has occurred. For example, as a result of slight quip about his relationship with his wife he begins to attract a number of students who believe the key to a successful sex life is the study of sacred texts. Similarly, he is completely unaware how he has successfully developed the religious school, increased attendance at the Friday evening service and engaged volunteers. As each situation arises and is met successfully, David becomes more self-aware and confident.As a result of a specific community challenge, David seeks out Samuel Talbot, a retired senior colleague, who had disappeared more than a decade ago. The interplay, as their relationship develops between the aspiring community leader and his aged mentor, provides the vehicle for accumulated wisdom to be transmitted and for David's awareness and confidence to bloom. The process of David coming into his own is a result of his increased self-awareness and his ability to address three community threats; each one providing the opportunity for him to become more fully the person he always desired to be.The book is both humorous and educational and provides insight into the challenges that community leaders continually face.