32nd Annual
TORONTO JEWISH BOOK FAIR
November 1 - November 9, 2008
Leah Posluns Theatre
The largest of its kind in North America, the Jewish Book Fair offers both free and ticketed events over the 8 day fair from November 1-9, 2008. Enjoy readings, talks, performances, film screenings, panel discussions, kids programs, lectures, book reviews, and, of course, authors! This year featuring over 30 authors including Alan Dershowitz, Gerald Tulchinksy, Lisa Alcalay Klug, Arie Kaplan, Pearl Sofaer, Anita Diamant, Bonnie Stern, Rabbi Elyse Goldstein, Barrie A. Wilson and many, many more!
Full program schedule below.
For Program brochure, tickets and ticket information, or for general inquiries, contact:
Helen Redner, Director, Jewish Book Fair
416-636-1880 x.368
or e-mail: bookfair@kofflerarts.org
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
November 1 | Opening Night - SOLD OUT!
8 PM | $25
The Greatest Threats Faced by Israel Today
World renowned author and highly respected Harvard Law professor Alan Dershowitz will speak on his latest book, The Case Against Israel's Enemies: Exposing Jimmy Carter and Others Who Stand in the Way of Peace. At a time when the future existence of Israel is increasingly imperiled, Prof. Dershowitz will discuss the threats from Iran – not only to Israel but also to the world; the Presbyterian Church's call for divestment from Israel; and the academic enemies of Israel. Alan Dershowitz is at his outspoken, thought-provoking best in a book that will spark controversy and lively discussion across the entire spectrum of opinion on the Middle East.
Sponsored by Canadian Friends of Tel Aviv University.
Sunday, November 2
11 AM | $5
The Creation of a Community, The Shaping of a Nation
Accomplished professor Gerald Tulchinsky and author of Canada's Jews: A People's Journey, argues that the history of the Jewish community in Canada says as much about the development of the nation as it does about the Jewish people. Canada's Jews is an account of this remarkable story as told by one of the leading authors and historians on the Jewish legacy in Canada.
Sponsored by Ontario Jewish Archives, UJA Federation.
1:30 PM | $5
The Poet Morris Rosenfeld: Voice of the Immigrant Jewish Worker
Bess Shocket Memorial Lecture
Speaking in both Yiddish and English, McGill University’s Eugene Orenstein addresses the new book by Marc Miller, Representing the Immigrant Experience: Morris Rosenfeld and the Emergence of Yiddish Literature in America. Rosenfeld’s poetry will be read in Yiddish by Hindy Abelson and performed by celebrated singer David Wall, accompanied by piano virtuoso Marilyn Lerner.
Sponsored by the Committee for Yiddish, UJA Federation, Friends of Yiddish, the Winchevsky Centre, and the Workmen’s Circle with the support of the Shloima & Yetta Steinhart Fund and the Ben Clodman Memorial Fund.
2 PM | Family Fun
Jewish Discovery Museum at the Bathurst JCC | For ages 5 to 9
Beloved local children’s book author and illustrator, Richard Ungar, reads from his latest book, Even Higher with giant props inspired by the story. Kids will also uncover the steps that go into making an illustrated book from sketches to the finished piece as Ungar does live drawings and makes his tales come alive!
Then come see the bookmarks on display near the Koffler Gallery – part of their annual Bookmark Project. You can make your own bookmark too!
4 PM | $5
Women Writing the Holocaust: Four Authors
The continued remembrance of the Holocaust is being supported by an extraordinary body of literature being created by women writers. A unique panel discusses the challenges of writing about history, the Holocaust, and its aftermath. Meet Karen Levine (Hana’s Suitcase), Kathy Kacer (The Diary of Laura’s Twin and Hiding Edith), Ami Sands Brodoff (The White Space Between and Bloodknots) and Gina Roitman (Tell Me a Story, Tell Me the Truth).
Sponsored by Second Story Press.
Monday, November 3
10:30 AM | Molly's Pilgrim: Film and Discussion
Ages 4 to 6 | Students $1
This classic children’s book is based on the true experiences of a member of author Barbara Cohen's family. The touching story tells how recent Russian immigrant Molly leads her third-grade class to discover that it takes all kinds of people to build a country.
1:30 PM | FREE
An Afternoon of Song and Poetry
Featuring Simcha Simchovitch, author of The Fiery Mountain, Vol II, a bilingual edition of his collected poems. Introduction by Zina Glassman of the Beth Tzedec Library with book reviewer, Gerry Kane and singer,
Lenka Lichtenberg bringing Simchovitch's lyrics to life.
Sponsored by Beth Tzedec Max and Beatrice Wolfe Library and Committee for Yiddish, UJA Federation.
8 PM | $10
Cool Jew Cabaret
Reception 7 PM – 8 PM
Cool Jew: The Ultimate Guide for Every Member of the Tribe by award-winning journalist Lisa Alcalay Klug is a field manual for the 21st century Jew and the people who love them, covering everything from identity, rituals, clothing and cuisine, to holidays, spirituality, diversity, and language.
Join Lisa for a first-person decoding of the modern-day hipster Heebster in all its forms of cultural and creative expression as she hosts the Cool Jew Cabaret showcasing local GTA Cool Jews doing cool and creative things.
Begins at 7 PM with a reception at the Koffler Centre of the Arts together with the 7th annual Bookmark Project, artist-designed bookmarks selected from an open call will be on display at the Koffler and inserted clandestinely into books at the Fair.
For more info, click here
Hear Lisa Alcalay Klug interviewed by Jian Gomeshi on CBC Radio's arts and culture show Q! Q: The Podcast Monday November 3, 2008
Tuesday, November 4
11 AM | FREE
Book Review: People of the Book
Marilyn Herbert, creator and director of Bookclub-in-a-Box will review Geraldine Brooks’ widely heralded novel People of the Book about the adventures of the Sarajevo Haggadah. The reader is ushered into an exquisitely detailed and atmospheric past, tracing the journey of the haggadah from its salvation back to its creation.
1:30 PM | FREE
The Rich Sephardic History and Cuisine
In Baghdad to Bombay: In the Kitchens of My Cousins, Pearl Sofaer weaves the threads of a vital family into a rich tapestry of good food and tradition. This family remains constant in their commitment to their ancestry, new homelands and future generations.
Sponsored by the Iraqi Jewish Association.
8 PM | $10
From Krakow to Krypton: Jews and Comic Books
Don’t miss comedian and MAD Magazine writer, Arie Kaplan recount how Jews created the first comic book, the first graphic novel, the first comic book convention, the first comic book specialty store – just to name a few! Many of the creators of the most famous comic books – Superman, Spiderman, X-Men, and Batman, as well as the founders of MAD Magazine – were Jewish. From Krakow to Krypton: Jews and Comic Books tells their stories and demonstrates how they brought a uniquely Jewish perspective to their work and to the comics industry as a whole.
Sponsored by B'nai Brith Canada.
Wednesday, November 5
10:30 AM | Molly's Pilgrim: Film and Discussion
Ages 4 to 6 | Students $1
This classic children’s book is based on the true experiences of a member of author Barbara Cohen's family. The touching story tells how recent Russian immigrant Molly leads her third-grade class to discover that it takes all kinds of people to build a country.
1:30 PM | FREE
Kathy Kacer, The Diary of Laura's Twin
Ages 9 + | Students $1
Diary of Laura’s Twin is the new book by award-winning children’s author, Kathy Kacer. As a special twinning project in preparation her bat mitzvah, Laura reads the diary of Sara Gittler, which unfolds with the details of her confinement in the Warsaw Ghetto. Laura gains courage in her own life from her "twin's" brave story.
A NIGHT WITH KOLEL AT THE JEWISH BOOK FAIR
Featuring Bonnie Stern, Rabbi Elyse Goldstein & Rabbi Joseph Meszler
Sponsored by Kolel and Na’amat Canada.
6:30 PM | $36
Friday Night Suppers with Bonnie Stern
Bonnie Stern’s newest cookbook focuses on Friday night dinners that bring the warmth of family, friends, and food together. Treat yourself to a special “Shabbat on Wednesday” complete with delicious tastings.
8:00 PM | $10
The Gender Agenda
Rabbi Elyse Goldstein’s latest book, New Jewish Feminism (foreword by Anita Diamant), looks at the growth and accomplishments of Jewish feminism, asking whether the next generation of young Jewish women is braced to tackle new issues or do they see Jewish feminism as their mother's issue? Rabbi Joseph B. Meszler is the author of A Man's Responsibility: A Jewish Guide to Being a Son, a Partner in Marriage, a Father and Community Leader, unearthing the male stereotypes in Judaism that colour the expectations for what it means to be a Jewish man in today's world.
Thursday, November 6
10:30 AM | FREE
Kathy Kacer, The Diary of Laura's Twin
Diary of Laura’s Twin is the new book by award-winning children’s author, Kathy Kacer. As a special twinning project in preparation her bat mitzvah, Laura reads the diary of Sara Gittler, which unfolds with the details of her confinement in the Warsaw Ghetto. Laura gains courage in her own life from her "twin's" brave story.
1:30 PM | FREE
The Water Buffalo that Shed her Girdle
Reva Leah Stern reads from her new book, The Water Buffalo that Shed her Girdle. Using her quirky sense of humour, Stern has created a witty, worldly, and wise novel about Rachel Morganstein. This fictional character is a community theatre director and mother, who was not invited to her son's wedding. The mystery of the 'Water Buffalo' and the reason why she eventually shed her cumbersome girdle is revealed during some of the lighter and funnier moments in the novel. Stern was artistic director of the Leah Posluns Theatre in Toronto. She has written, staged and directed several original plays in the U.S. Most recently her manuscript The Prescott Journals was optioned for the screen.
8 PM | $10
How Jesus Became Christian
In How Jesus Became Christian: St. Paul, the Early Church and the Jesus Cover –Up, Dr. Barrie A. Wilson asserts that the spiritual figure that billions of Christians worship worldwide as the son of God was in fact a Jew, a Rabbi, and a revered teacher of the early first century who obeyed and championed the Torah. How Jesus became a Christian is largely the result of a deliberate and deceptive manipulation.
Friday, November 7
11 am | FREE
How I Defected from the Soviet Union
Local engineer, Vladimir Rott, was born a Hungarian citizen in the Soviet Union. When he was three years old, his father was arrested and sent to a Siberian labor camp for 12 years, never to return. The Rott family kept these precious letters, now published in Father's Letters from Siberian Prison. Rott will read in Russian, Hungarian, and English.
Saturday, November 8
8 PM | $15
Judaism in Full Flower
With introductions provided by Rabbi Tina Grimberg of Congregation Darchei Noam
A new form of Judaism is vibrant and alive in North America today. Celebrated author of the international best-seller The Red Tent, Anita Diamant has also published a series of invaluable guides to contemporary Jewish life including Choosing a Jewish Life, The New Jewish Baby Book, The New Jewish Wedding and the newly updated, How to Raise a Jewish Child. Anita Diamant's books on contemporary Jewish practice open doors to a meaningful Jewish life. Join Anita for a dynamic discussion on the growing edge of Jewish life, here and now.
Anita Diamant, Judaism in Flower is proudly sponsored by Darchei Noam Congregation.
Sunday, November 9
11 AM | $5
New Directions for Atheists, Agnostics, Secularists, and the Undecided
Optimistic and stirring, Ronald Aronson’s Living Without G-d is less focused on attacking religion than in developing a positive philosophy for sceptics and freethinkers. He is Distinguished Professor of the History of Ideas at Wayne State University.
Sponsored by Oraynu Congregation for Humanistic Judaism and the Label Basman Memorial Scholarship Fund.
1:30 PM | $5
"Shhh!.. The Curtain Rises"
A Tribute to Yiddish Theatre, Written and Directed by Nathan Garnick
New Voices for Yiddish presents a lively, nostalgic musical revue in Yiddish and English with Jeannette Stein, Faye Zeidman, Gloria Valentine, Michael Mandel. Music by Nathan Rosen.
4:00 PM | $5
Two Men (and One Woman) of Mystery and Mayhem
Lawyer and author, Morley Torgov returns with a delightfully historical mystery with a light touch. Murder in A-Major is set in 19th century Europe in the world of classical musicians Robert and Clara Schumann. Torgov is the author of the Leacock Medal Award winning, A Good Place to Come From and The Outside Chance of Maximillian Glick.
Journalist and comedian, Howard Shrier's first mystery Buffalo Jump (code for a smuggling trip to and from Buffalo, N.Y.) introduces detective Jonah Geller. His exploration of his Jewishness imbues the book and the mystery with extra depth and resonance.
An Arthur Ellis Award winner for her first book, Just Murder, Jan Rehner has just published On Pain of Death in which a Canadian student at the Sorbonne is trapped in France during the Second World War. She joins the Resistance and helps Jewish orphans escape the Germans.
Sponsored by the Canadian Jewish News.
The Bookmark Project
Now in its seventh year, The Bookmark Project is organized by the Koffler Gallery to coincide with the annual Jewish Book Fair. Artist-designed bookmarks selected from an open call by will be on display at the Koffler and inserted clandestinely into books at the Fair. This year’s theme, Insert, explores the interplay between the reader and the bookmark in the act of reading. Buy a book and you just might get a one-of-a-kind work of art to boot!