By Carol Britton Meyer

Temple Beth Sholom’s efforts to expand its programming and invite the community to participate in a variety of experiences include a performance by a Jewish singer-songwriter, a discussion with the author of a new novel (and former Hingham rabbi) about embracing the supernatural, and the showing of a film on His Majesty’s Jewish Brigade.

On Saturday, March 18 at 9:30 a.m., during Shabbat HaChodesh, Jewish singer-songwriter Sue Horowitz will add another level to the service with her guitar skills and vocal interpretations, followed by a luncheon.

Horowitz has a successful career as a spiritual artist and has appeared at numerous congregations, conferences, music venues, and homes throughout North America. Her music has been published in many compilations, including the Ruach Series, CCAR Haggadah, Kol Isha, and Jewish Songs of Protest and Hope. Horowitz is also the founder and creator of the Jewish Songwriting Cooperative retreat and enjoys leading songwriting workshops.

“Sue is an international recording star in her genre of modern liturgical music and a wonderful interpreter of the prayers,” Rabbi David Grossman, who serves Temple Beth Sholom as joint rabbi with his son, Joshua, told The Hull Times.

The following day, Sunday, March 19 at 2 p.m., there will be a showing of the documentary “In Our Own Hands: The Hidden Story of the Jewish Brigade in WWII,” followed by a discussion.

The film tells the story of His Majesty’s Jewish Brigade, the only all-Jewish fighting unit in World War II. Amidst the chaos of post-war Europe, the young Jewish soldiers mastermind one clandestine operation after the next. “In our Own Hands” unravels the thrilling tale of young Jewish soldiers who carried the weight of a people on their shoulders.

Guest speakers from Friends of the March of the Living will introduce this program. The mission of the Friends is to ensure the perpetuation of this effort through an endowment fund that supports the March of the Living’s goals of educating Jewish teenagers about the dangers of assimilation, hatred and intolerance, instilling in them the necessity to “never forget” and the importance of continuing to share the stories of Holocaust survivors for generations to come.

During the event, candles will be distributed to the congregation in remembrance of those whose lives were lost as they learn about The Shoah Yellow Candle Holocaust Remembrance Program.

Rabbi Stephen Karol, who served Congregation Sha’aray Shalom in Hingham for a number of years, will talk about his new book, “Embracing the Supernatural in Judaism: Signs from Our Deceased Loved Ones and Stories About The World-to-Come” during the Friday, March 24, evening service at 6:30 p.m., followed by a community dinner. A social hour with appetizers will be held an hour before the service. Those planning to attend are asked to sign up through the Temple Beth Sholom office or website.

This book is about the afterlife and is presented in three ways: first, what the Hebrew Bible and later Jewish writings have to say about what happens after death; second, the beliefs and customs that recognize God’s “supernatural” power to connect in people’s daily lives; and, third, what experiences some people have had with communication from the deceased through what are called “signs,” and which Karol refers to as “blessings.”

The book includes numerous quotations from religious sources, as well as contemporary views on the undying love that is felt by the living for those who have died.

In Judaism, God is recognized as having unlimited powers that can be defined as “supernatural” and that are called “signs” – not just in Judaism, but in general, according to Karol. “There are about 70 personal accounts in the book that attest to a variety of ways in which the living have felt the presence of loved ones who have died and regard it as comforting and joyful.”

Through Karol’s talks in public and on Zoom, he has found that there is “considerable and enthusiastic interest” in this topic. “There is a ‘domino effect’ – the more that people hear about ‘signs,’ the more likely they are to share their experiences and to buy books on the subject. And they are fascinated to learn about beliefs regarding the afterlife.”

Grossman said Karol seemed like a good choice because he continues to have a following from his time at Congregation Sha’aray Shalom.

“He still has a connection with this area, and people appreciate his wisdom,” he said. “He did an event on Zoom for us a couple of years ago that was interesting, and people want to hear him speak about his new book.”