J1-J2: Alper JCC BookFair

Cultural Event!

Contact:

Levitt, Marcy
Director of Literary & Performing Arts
x269, mlevitt@alperjcc.org

What: There will be several events taking place thanks to this festival. You could either write one long feature piece about the festival as a whole, listing all the events taking place, or you could attend any of the individual events and write a piece about it.

Event:

29th Annual Alper JCC Jewish Book Festival
Thursday, October 22 – Monday, November 16
Heritage, Humor, Harmony
Each year, the Annual Jewish Book Festival welcomes the finest scholars and writers to what has become one of the premier Jewish book festivals in the United States today. Some of the acclaimed writers who have participated in the festival include Ambassador Dennis Ross, Alan Dershowitz, Michael Oren and Rabbi Irwin Kula; journalists Martin Fletcher, Lynn Sherr and Jeffrey Zaslow; actors Jack Klugman, Harry Shearer, and Evan Handler; screenwriters Jennifer Weiner, Alan Zweibel, Phil Rosenthal and Jodi Picoult; humorists Judy Gold and Judith Viorst; and Women's Day Luncheon guests Dr. Nancy Snyderman and Susan Issacs. The collection of writings at the Alper JCC’s 29th Annual Jewish Book Festival weaves three powerful words – heritage, humor and harmony - giving each a richly unique meaning. Bestselling author Chris Bohjalian tells the story of lovers who struggle when they lack a common heritage; while Jacqueline Demar Greene proudly introduces Rebecca Rubin, the first Jewish doll from the popular American Girl series, and shares a fictitious account of treasured traditions and tales of growing up in New York’s Lower East Side. Slate editor David Plotz draws on Sienfeld-esque humor as he interprets his heritage after reading every single word of the Old Testament. Harmony denotes peace when former Israeli Ambassador Martin Indyk shares sobering advice garnered from his years of diplomatic service; and Grammy-winning composers Peter Yarrow and Charles Strouse find harmony in the melodic sounds of their award-winning music. In Jeffrey Zaslow’s book, The Girls from Ames, the acclaimed author and Women’s Day speaker discovers universal insights and relates deeply personal moments as he uncovers the power of friendship when women respect each other’s heritage, keep a sense of humor and seek a harmonious life. The 29th Alper JCC Jewish Book Festival is certain to entertain, enlighten and perhaps challenge our South Florida readers.