SPECIAL EVENTS

The 39th Annual Jewish Book & Arts Fair will showcase some of the nations most prominent and emerging writers in literature, philosophy, arts and history. One of the largest Jewish book & arts fairs in the country takes place October 30- November 13, 2011 at the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center of Houston.

The Book & Arts Fair “Opening Night” will feature Dennis Prager and Rabbi Joseph Telushkin to talk about The Eight Questions People Ask about Judaism (later re-released as Nine Questions People Ask About Judaism). Their seminal work was called “the intelligent skeptic’s guide to Judaism” by Herman Wouk. Opening night is free for the whole community.

The two-week outstanding literary event will feature dozens of notable authors and including Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, I Shall Not Hate: A Doctor’s Journey on the Road to Peace & Human Dignity; Jennifer Griffin & Greg Myre, This Burning Land: Lessons from the Front Lines of the Transformed Israeli-Palestinian Conflict; Alick Isaacs, A Prophetic Peace; Amy Ephron, Loose Diamonds and Other Things I’ve Lost and Found; David Bezmozgis, The Free World; Kostya Kennedy, 56: Joe DiMaggio and the Last Magic Number in Sports; and Charles Fox, Killing Me Softly: My Life in Music.

Oliver Lapin Family Day on Sunday, November 6 will offer programs for children and their families. Programs will include Houston authors Ellen Leventhal and Ellen Rothberg, Bully in the Barnyard and Anita Kruse and Lisa Sheinbaum, Purple Song. Adult programs continue throughout the day.

The 39th Annual event will also feature five films Grace Paley: Collected Shorts; Amos Oz: The Nature of Dreams; La Rafle (The Roundup); Sholem Aleichem: Laughing in the Darkness; and Anita. New York based Project Trio featuring Rice University Shepherd School of Music graduate, Peter Seymour (bass) will perform in concert after a one-week residency of master classes at area universities and schools.

The Book & Arts Fair is designed to educate, enlighten and enrich the Houston community with high quality programs including conversations with the authors, a community-wide book read, films and concerts, a large bookstore and a family day event featuring.

Author signings follow all presentations.

Visit erjcchouston.org for more information about programs and services available at the 39th Annual Jewish Book & Arts Fair October 30 – November 13. Find us on Facebook.