Jewish Book Group

Book groups are a great idea at any time. First of all you get to read a book.
We hate to admit it, but in the case of the Jewish Book Group, even reading the book is not obligatory. Although it does help.The group meets once every six weeks or thereabouts. Meetings are relaxed. Nothing too serious. In fact, nothing serious at all. It’s all about getting out and having a friendly chat. And maybe, every so often, offering your home for a meeting; also, not obligatory.

So, give it a go. We are waiting to hear from you.  Support your Jewish community!

The Jewish Book Group is a joint NLJC / NHC initiative. Members and friends of both congregations, Jewish and non-Jewish, are welcome.  For further details you can message Byron Simmonds, send an email (via the NLJC website or directly), pick up the ‘phone!

2nd December 2014
The book: Sisters of Sinai: How Two Lady Adventurers Found the Hidden Gospels by Janet Soskice

Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Vintage (5 Aug 2010)
ISBN-13: 978-0099546542
Available on Kindle

Narrative non-fiction at its best: an exciting, fascinating and thought-provoking book about the discovery of an early New Testament manuscript on Mount Sinai by two audacious Victorian ladies.

Sisters of Sinai tells an extraordinary tale of nineteenth century exploration; how two Scottish sisters made one of the most important ancient manuscript finds of the age. Hidden in a cupboard beneath the monastic library at St Catherine’s in the Sinai desert the twins discovered what looked like a palimpsest: one text written over another. It was Agnes who recognized the obscured text for what it was – one of the earliest copies of the Gospels written in ancient Syriac. Once they had overcome the stubborn reluctance of Cambridge scholars to authenticate the find and had lead an expedition of quarrelsome academics back to Sinai to copy it, Agnes and Margaret -in middle years and neither with any university qualifications – embarked on a life of demanding scholarship and bold travel.

In this enthralling book, Janet Soskice takes the reader on an astonishing journey from the Ayreshire of the sisters’ childhood to the lost treasure trove of the Cairo genizah. We trace the footsteps of the intrepid pair as they voyage to Egypt, Sinai and beyond, Murray’s guide book in hand coping with camels, unscrupulous dragomen, and unpredictable welcomes. We enter the excitement and mystery of the Gospel origins at a time when Christianity was under attack in Europe. Crucially this is the story of two remarkable women who, as widows, were undeterred in their spirit of adventure and who overcame insuperable odds to become world class scholars with a place in history.

Dr Janet Soskice was born in America. She is currently professor of Theology at Jesus College Cambridge. As well as writing academic articles, she has written a column on religion for The Times and has appeared regularly on BBC Radio 4’s ‘The Moral Maze’. (Vintage)