Jewish book festival turns a page in San Jose
The 16th Annual Jewish Community Alliance Jewish Book Festival will be held at the JCA’s San Jose campus this month. Organizers said many outstanding authors will be in town for the event, discussing a diverse selection of books that have “something for everyone.”
The literary event begins on Nov. 1 with a talk by Rabbi Richard F. Address, author of “Seekers of Meaning – Baby Boomers, Judaism and the Pursuit of Healthy Aging.” The program begins at 7 p.m. and is co-sponsored by the River Garden Hebrew Home. Using key texts from the Torah, Address shows that the foundation of a happy and healthy life is the meaning we seek in the community of others and in our most fundamental relationship with God.
The schedule continues through the week:
Monday, Nov. 5, at 1 p.m. – Steve Berry, author of “The Columbus Affair.” A family’s secret, a ruthless fanatic, and a covert arm of the American government – all are linked by a single puzzling possibility: What if everything we know about the discovery of America was a lie? Publishers Weekly said, “An engrossing thriller from bestseller Berry.” Guests should bring a dairy lunch. Coffee and dessert provided and reservations are required by Nov. 1.
Tuesday, Nov. 6, at 7 p.m. – Guiliano Hazan, author of “Hazan Family Favorites – Beloved Italian Recipes.” Giuliano Hazan, son of Marcella Hazan, shares recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation along with reminiscences of Shabbat dinners at his grandparents’ house. A “Today Show” regular, he shows how various cultures encountered during the family’s wanderings from Turkey to Italy and the United States has influenced the recipes they still enjoy today. Disclosure: many of the recipes do not observe kosher principles.
Wednesday, Nov. 14, at 7 p.m. – Edie Lutnick, author of “An Unbroken Bond – The Untold Story of How the 658 Cantor Fitzgerald Families Faced the Tragedy of 9/11 and Beyond.” Edie Lutnick co-founded and heads the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund that has raised and distributed over $250 million to victims of terrorism, disasters and emergencies. A labor lawyer by training, Edie’s life changed forever when her younger brother perished in the World Trade Center and her other brother’s firm was nearly destroyed. Through dedication and Tzedakah, Edie and her brother, Howard, committed their leadership of Cantor Fitzgerald and its Relief Fund to changing the lives of thousands.
Sunday, Nov. 18, at 10 a.m. – Patrons’ Brunch featuring David Misch, author of “Funny: The Book – Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Comedy.” David Misch has been a comic folksinger and stand-up comic. His screenwriting credits include “Mork and Mindy,” “Police Squad,” “The Muppets Take Manhattan” and “Saturday Night Live.” He teaches musical satire at UCLA and “Practical Foundations of Comedy” at USC. The book posits that humor is a defining characteristic of humanity.
All books will be available for sale and signing. Events, except for the Patrons’ Brunch, are free and open to the whole community.
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