The Ladies Auxiliary

I picked up this book because it was on a friend's book club list.  It tells the story of a tight-knit Jewish community in Memphis.  Who knew there were Jews in Memphis?  A single mom and Jewish convert moves into the neighborhood and unknowingly stirs things up.  Batsheva is religious (think devout), but she has an unknown past, is an outsider, and does things differently.  She makes the other women in the community look at themselves and their lives, their religious practice and devotion, and she makes them nervous.  Although technically one of them, her differences are enough to make her the target of ill feelings when the protective wall the women have built around themselves begins to crumble.

Although I am not Jewish, I do live in a community that is predominantly Mormon.  My daily activities and interactions are largely among those of my own faith, and my close friendships have been forged through mutual church activity.  For many women living in Provo, I'm sure this is typical.  I think most women would say that their social networks are also their church networks.  

I do, however, have an across the street neighbor, Kristie, who no longer attends the Mormon church; she and her husband are not active.  In fact, they attend another church altogether.  They have three children including a daughter, Maia, just a year older than Brandt.  When the weather is nice and I am outside with my kids, Kristie is frequently out with hers, too.  We will sit in one of our driveways and talk as the children race and ride up and down the street.  I like talking to her, I am comfortable with her, and I enjoy the time we spend together watching our children and being outdoors.  And yet I never do anything with her socially.  We have never gone to lunch or been swimming at my parent's house.  I don't think to invite her when I think of gathering friends for an activity.  I ask myself why and only come with the lame-o answer that we don't go to church together and so I don't think about her.  

Because we don't go to church together, I should  think about her.  She is surrounded by Mormons and technically is one herself.  And yet I'm fairly sure that Kristie probably doesn't feel that she has many friends to do things with.  Every woman knows how important other women friends are, and after reading this book, I think I will make a greater effort to be more friend-like to Kristie, not just friendly.