For August: The Help revisited

For our August meeting, it was decided that we would go as a book club to see The Help.  It is coming to theaters on August 10th, though we might not see it here in E-town until a bit after that.   However, I have it on good authority that The Help will very likely be coming to Ephraim.  If not, we may have to travel and have our husbands babysit for an entire evening.  Darn!   Our plans also include going out to dinner.  If anyone has an opinion on whether or not we should travel to see the movie and eat out, speak up!  Personally, I can't wait!

Wrapping up The Ladies Auxiliary

We had a great time last night at Charlynn's house!  


Those in attendance included: Lisa K., Kristen W, Erin J, Brittany L, Juli A, Holly J and Charlynn C.  


Some things we discussed were:

• We were all in agreement that being an Orthodox Jew is much more demanding than being an active, full-time member of the LDS church.
• Kristen Weller related a similar incident that happened to a teacher in her small community.  Nothing was said outright, but the teacher was basically forced to leave her position because people didn't want her teaching their children provocative/controversial material.  Obviously, this book really resonated with Kristen and we so appreciated her sharing her experience.
• We discussed the difference between the letter and the spirit of religious law.  Most of the women in Memphis obeyed every law because they had to.  With the exception of Mimi and Batsheva, these women never really thought about the spiritual meaning behind what they were doing.  One example was when Batsheva used the Mikvah.  Tziporah saw only the practical reasons for using it, not the spiritual.
• It was unanimously agreed upon that Orthodox Judaism was not a religion that is easy on women.  Can you imagine having to scour your house from top to bottom for every single holiday?  And there were a lot!  And the baking!  Oy!

Thank you to all of you who came (and those who didn't, but read the book anyway!) and made the evening wonderful.  We have decided on something for August, and it's gonna be great, so stay tuned!

On a more personal note....

How do you think this book compared to our own Mormon community?


Were there any characters that you related to or felt were justified in their actions towards Batsheva?


How do you respond to someone whose actions/choices seem a bit "unorthodox" in regards to being LDS?


What makes a religious community strong?  Is it unity?  Diversity?  Individual faith?  Refreshments?


Could this book just as easily be called "The Relief Society"?