Book Discussion with Lynda Cohen Loigman: The Matchmaker's Gift
Monday, March 13, 2023 • 20 Adar 5783
7:00 PM - 9:00 PMBeth El Temple, 2626 Albany Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06117USA Today bestselling author Lynda Cohen Loigman will join us to discuss her latest book, The Matchmaker’s Gift, a story about two women from two different eras—a matchmaker and her divorce attorney granddaughter—who defy societal expectations and embrace their unique gift for seeing soulmates in the most unexpected of places.
Ms. Loigman discussed one of her earlier novels, The Wartime Sisters, at a Women's Network event a few years ago, and we are very excited to welcome her back as our Women's History Month guest speaker!
Most Jewish matchmakers in early 1900s New York were men, so Loigman explains that she “imagined how a group of religious men would feel about a young, unmarried woman who was blessed with a gift that allowed her to do their job better than they ever could. [...] The Matchmaker’s Gift became a story about women whose intelligence, ambition, and talents were suppressed, but who nonetheless found the strength to follow their calling.”
These chapters simmer with vibrant detail [...] recall the early twentieth century Jewish immigrant experience. [...] exudes authenticity, invoking the sights and smells of a bygone Lower East Side. [...] anyone whose life has been touched or inspired by a grandparent will be drawn to The Matchmaker’s Gift—its vision of how one generation can affect another through shared stories and connections.
--Ellyn Lem, Professor of English at the University of WI-Milwaukee at Waukesha and a cultural critic. Her scholarship includes numerous articles and books, including Gray Matters: Finding Meaning in the Stories of Later Life (2020).
"Combining authentic historical fiction with mystery and a touch of romance, Loigman artfully reminds us that the past is never far, the present is a gift and the future is ours for the making. The Matchmaker’s Gift is timely and timeless, and readers should make time for this original and touching story about the things that matter most."
––Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author of The Woman With The Blue Star
Loigman grew up in Longmeadow, MA. She received a B.A. in English and American Literature from Harvard College and a J.D. from Columbia Law School. Her debut novel, Two-Family House, was a USA Today bestseller and a nominee for the Goodreads 2016 Choice Awards in Historical Fiction. Her second novel, The Wartime Sisters, was selected as a Woman’s World Book Club pick and a Best Book of 2019 by Real Simple Magazine. The Matchmaker’s Gift has been named a Best Book of Fall by Parade - BuzzFeed - New York Post - GMA.com - People.
While we encourage you to purchase and read The Matchmaker's Gift in advance, we will also have copies available for purchase at the event.
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Thu, July 3 2025
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JulJuly 12 , 2025Exploring the Siddur: A deep dive into the language, meaning, music, and origins of our prayers
Shabbat, Jul 12th 5:30p to 7:00p
Second Summer Saturdays: June 14, July 12, and August 9, 5:30-7:00 Join Rabbi Rosen and Rabbi Zerin on select Shabbat afternoons throughout the summer for a light dinner/Seudah Shleesheet, learning, and zemirot/Shabbat songs. Each week, we will take a deep dive into one or two of the prayers in our Siddur, exploring topics such as the meaning of the prayer, the way it functions in the service, the different biblical and rabbinic texts that it quotes or refers to, new and traditional musical settings for the prayer, ways that music enhances the meaning of the text, and the history of how the prayer came to be a fixture in our prayerbook. Adults and teens of all backgrounds are welcome to join; no prior knowledge of Hebrew or the Siddur necessary. Light dinner will be served RSVP required (click in to register!) $10 suggested donation per person -
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JulJuly 25 , 2025Shabbat Potluck
Friday, Jul 25th 5:30p to 7:30p
All are invited to join Beth El friends for a Shabbat Potluck Picnic! We'll meet at a fellow member's home to celebrate Shabbat with food, singing, and community. Bring a dairy/vegetarian dish to share (details in the registration). RSVPs are required. Click in to register! -
Tuesday ,
JulJuly 29 , 2025Chai Society Picnic at Beth El
Tuesday, Jul 29th 11:30a to 1:00p
The Chai Society invites you to a picnic at Beth El on Tuesday, July 29, at 11:30am. There will be hamburgers, hot dogs and veggie burgers, along with all the trimmings. We will be treated to entertaining music by Walter Mamlok on the clarinet, and Michael Schiano on the accordion. There will be a charge of $10 for our summer picnic. We'll gather rain or shine! -
Saturday ,
AugAugust 9 , 2025Exploring the Siddur: A deep dive into the language, meaning, music, and origins of our prayers
Shabbat, Aug 9th 5:30p to 7:00p
Second Summer Saturdays: June 14, July 12, and August 9, 5:30-7:00 Join Rabbi Rosen and Rabbi Zerin on select Shabbat afternoons throughout the summer for a light dinner/Seudah Shleesheet, learning, and zemirot/Shabbat songs. Each week, we will take a deep dive into one or two of the prayers in our Siddur, exploring topics such as the meaning of the prayer, the way it functions in the service, the different biblical and rabbinic texts that it quotes or refers to, new and traditional musical settings for the prayer, ways that music enhances the meaning of the text, and the history of how the prayer came to be a fixture in our prayerbook. Adults and teens of all backgrounds are welcome to join; no prior knowledge of Hebrew or the Siddur necessary. Light dinner will be served RSVP required (click in to register!) $10 suggested donation per person
Contact Us
Beth El Temple
2626 Albany Avenue
West Hartford, CT 06117
Office Hours:
Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Monday-Thursday: 8:30am - 4pm
Friday: 8:30am - 2:30pm
SULAM Beth El Educational Program:
Upcoming Events
-
Saturday ,
JulJuly 12 , 2025Exploring the Siddur: A deep dive into the language, meaning, music, and origins of our prayers
Shabbat, Jul 12th 5:30p to 7:00p
Second Summer Saturdays: June 14, July 12, and August 9, 5:30-7:00 Join Rabbi Rosen and Rabbi Zerin on select Shabbat afternoons throughout the summer for a light dinner/Seudah Shleesheet, learning, and zemirot/Shabbat songs. Each week, we will take a deep dive into one or two of the prayers in our Siddur, exploring topics such as the meaning of the prayer, the way it functions in the service, the different biblical and rabbinic texts that it quotes or refers to, new and traditional musical settings for the prayer, ways that music enhances the meaning of the text, and the history of how the prayer came to be a fixture in our prayerbook. Adults and teens of all backgrounds are welcome to join; no prior knowledge of Hebrew or the Siddur necessary. Light dinner will be served RSVP required (click in to register!) $10 suggested donation per person -
Friday ,
JulJuly 25 , 2025Shabbat Potluck
Friday, Jul 25th 5:30p to 7:30p
All are invited to join Beth El friends for a Shabbat Potluck Picnic! We'll meet at a fellow member's home to celebrate Shabbat with food, singing, and community. Bring a dairy/vegetarian dish to share (details in the registration). RSVPs are required. Click in to register! -
Tuesday ,
JulJuly 29 , 2025Chai Society Picnic at Beth El
Tuesday, Jul 29th 11:30a to 1:00p
The Chai Society invites you to a picnic at Beth El on Tuesday, July 29, at 11:30am. There will be hamburgers, hot dogs and veggie burgers, along with all the trimmings. We will be treated to entertaining music by Walter Mamlok on the clarinet, and Michael Schiano on the accordion. There will be a charge of $10 for our summer picnic. We'll gather rain or shine! -
Saturday ,
AugAugust 9 , 2025Exploring the Siddur: A deep dive into the language, meaning, music, and origins of our prayers
Shabbat, Aug 9th 5:30p to 7:00p
Second Summer Saturdays: June 14, July 12, and August 9, 5:30-7:00 Join Rabbi Rosen and Rabbi Zerin on select Shabbat afternoons throughout the summer for a light dinner/Seudah Shleesheet, learning, and zemirot/Shabbat songs. Each week, we will take a deep dive into one or two of the prayers in our Siddur, exploring topics such as the meaning of the prayer, the way it functions in the service, the different biblical and rabbinic texts that it quotes or refers to, new and traditional musical settings for the prayer, ways that music enhances the meaning of the text, and the history of how the prayer came to be a fixture in our prayerbook. Adults and teens of all backgrounds are welcome to join; no prior knowledge of Hebrew or the Siddur necessary. Light dinner will be served RSVP required (click in to register!) $10 suggested donation per person
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