Rabbi Stephen Fuchs will discuss his new ground-breaking book, What’s In It For Me : Finding Ourselves in Biblical Narratives on Friday, Sept. 12, 7:30 p.m. at Congregation Beth Israel, 701 Farmington Ave., West Hartford. Rabbi Fuchs will speak briefly during the Shabbat service and then will discuss the book in more detail after the service.  For more information, visit, www.cbict.org.or contact 860-233-8215 x2320, bethisrael@cbict.org.

The book, released in August, “is the result of more than four decades of inquiry into the intricate and multiple meanings of biblical tales,” according to a press release.

“A good, caring God wants each of us to use our talents—whatever they may be—to make the world a better place. The biblical narratives I elucidate relate to this central idea. These narratives can enrich all of our lives whether we see ourselves as religious or not,” Rabbi Fuchs says.

Heidi Hadsell, Ph.D., President of Hartford Seminary, provided the book’s foreword.  In it, she praised the accessibility of Fuchs’ work, “Fuchs links the meaning of the texts to our concrete, contemporary lives, and shows us that each of us (believer or not) can, indeed, be who we are called to be. As Rabbi Fuchs says, “And even if we do not believe in God, we can choose life and blessing for ourselves and for others, and that is the choice that really matters.” Thus, as you read this book you will be informed, comforted, challenged and encouraged.”

Hard copies of the book ($17.95) and e-books ($8.95) will be available on Amazon.com and on http://www.rabbifuchs.com/. A national speaking and promotion tour is planned for Winter/Spring 2015.  Please visit Rabbi Fuchs’ website for updates about the book, speaking engagements, reviews and news.

A life-long rabbi and beloved teacher, scholar and former president of the World Union for Progressive Judaism, Rabbi Fuchs has long been associated with Congregation Beth Israel in West Hartford.

Beginning this fall, Rabbi Fuchs will serve as a visiting educator, preacher and worship leader in Northern Germany, together with his wife Vickie, conducting interfaith education and Holocaust understanding projects. Rabbi Fuchs will also lecture at the Geiger Kolleg’ (Europe’s seminary for Progressive rabbis) and the University of Potsdam School of Theology.

On Nov. 9, Rabbi Fuchs has been invited to deliver the sermon at the annual Kristallnacht commemoration held at the Thomaskirche in Leipzig. Leipzig is the city where the rabbi’s late father was arrested by the Nazis on Kristallnacht, which took place on November 9, 1938.