JCHS Book Club: Fostering Community, Creativity, and a Love for Reading

Back in 2022, Jewish Culture High School’s opening year, one of our students, Dafna Benhamu, started a Book Club to create a space where students could dive into books together and share their perspectives. With a true desire for reading and a hope to form a community around it, she saw the club as a way for students to connect over stories, ideas, and opinions. “I wanted to make reading social and give people a place to examine books on a deeper level; I wanted people who share my passion to express it,” she explained. Meeting every other Tuesday during our lunch period, the Book Club gives students plenty of time to read, highlight, and annotate chapters in order to prepare for each session. Each meeting includes the members gathering in our office rooms and sharing their opinions, observations, and thoughts, creating an inclusive environment. To ensure inclusivity and engagement, the club takes polls to determine which book to read next. Currently, the members are reading Powerless by Lauren Roberts. The group previously read Fourth Wing and Iron Flame, which were both big hits according to the participants. With around 15 members, the club brings in a range of voices, making each session feel more engaging. Aside from just reading, the Book Club fosters many valuable life skills and personal growth. Through discussions, the members sharpen their communication skills, learn to appreciate different perspectives, and build confidence in sharing their ideas. The club provides a supportive and safe atmosphere where students can think creatively, making the experience rewarding both socially and academically. This club has also gained recognition from JCHS students by being ranked as the 6th best passion project in last year's school yearbook, which highlights the impact it has had on students over the past years. For Dafna and the members, these sessions offer a break from the usual school day and an opportunity to pursue passion and hobbies in a meaningful way. This club is a place to connect, learn, and most importantly, have fun bonding with friends who enjoy reading books as much as you do. For anyone who is looking for a community to explore books and connect with other readers, the JCHS Book Club is the perfect place to get involved.

By Or Bouskila