Welcome to the Living Library, a partnership between the YWCA Gettysburg & Adams County and the Adams County Library System!  We have gathered human "books" to be checked out by readers for 30-minute conversations during the week.  Please use the form below to register to listen to Joe & Maria's story.

Joe is a psychologist who was born and raised in Westchester County, N.Y. and New York City. He and Maria moved to Adams County eleven years ago when he was hired by Wellspan. Since retiring from Wellspan, Joe has begun a private practice in Gettysburg. Although he had his bar mitzvah in a Reform Jewish congregation, he has also been active in both Conservative and Reconstructionist congregations. He is now a lay leader for the Adams County Jewish Community.

Maria was born and raised in Pittsburgh. Her religious background is Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic. She was a member of the Pittsburgh Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh and is currently an Oblate with the Community. She converted to Judaism while dating Joe. She is a graduate of Duquesne University with a Bachelor's Degree in Theology and Psychology.

Book Title: You Shall be Holy: Two paths to Jewish Spirituality

Book Synopsis:
Joe and Maria grew up in vastly different spiritual environments, but together have sought out and established their Jewish identities. Joe grew up in a home where Judaism was defined by culture and ethics, but not by ritual or spiritual beliefs. Maria grew up in a nonobservant Catholic family. Yet, Maria, after a search that took her through Romanian and Benedictine monasteries, went on to embrace Judaism. Joe raised his children in Conservative synagogues and eventually became a lay leader in the Jewish community of Adams County. Together, they have given presentations on Judaism at the YWCA, as well as led the annual Model Seder.

The title of their book, “You Shall be Holy,” is taken from the Holiness Code in Leviticus 19:2. Jews often differ on what this commandment means. Answers range from strict adherence to the 613 commandments in the Five Books of Moses, to much more nebulous belief that humanity should work to heal and repair the world. For Joe and Maria, it requires us to find creative ways to be holy and to balance creativity and tradition. Following that path, they have come to Adams County, became involved in various Jewish and non-Jewish community activities. Please join them in their journey.