33rd Annual
Toronto Jewish Book Fair
October 24 to November 1, 2009
Conference Centre, Lipa Green Centre for Jewish Community Services, 4600 Bathurst St.
The annual Jewish Book Fair, one of the largest in North America, has been bringing the best of Jewish literature to Toronto for 33 years, with world-class authors, school programs and engaging programs from panel discussions to films to live cooking demos. Don’t miss this celebration of Jewish books and culture as it debuts in the brand new Lipa Green Conferencing Centre on the Sherman Campus!
Click here to download the Jewish Book Fair Event Guide (PDF 1 MB)
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
Tickets for all evening events* are on sale through TicketWeb, www.ticketweb.ca or call 1.888.222.6608
 * TicketWeb sales close at 5 PM the day of an event.
Tickets for all events can also be purchased in person at the Jewish Book Fair, starting on Saturday, October 24. Get yours early to avoid disappointment! Certain workshops where indicated require advance registration.
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Thursday, October 22
BOOK FAIR PREVIEW – OFFSITE BOOK LAUNCH
Save the Deli at Caplansky’s Deli | 356 College St.
5:30 PM | $5 at the door
The launch of a new book by Toronto native David Sax, Save the Deli: In Search of Perfect Pastrami, Crusty Rye and the Heart of Jewish Delicatessen. This ode to the deli has been called “an epic journey, akin to the Odyssey but with Rolaids" (Roger Bennett, author of Bar Mitzvah Disco).
Tickets available at the door. Please note this event will not be kosher.
Sponsored by McClelland and Stewart.
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Saturday, October 24
OPENING NIGHT
Taibele and Her Demon
8 PM | $20 | $15 students & seniors
A captivating musical, spoken word, and visual interpretation of a story written by Nobel Prize winning author Isaac Bashevis Singer. Performed by Toronto's top klezmer and jazz musicians, original compositions by Lorie Wolf meld together the age-old art of storytelling with the creative influences of klezmer, world and jazz music.
"Lorie Wolf has created…very evocative music to a very evocative story… [she] has done a wonderful job creating these pieces of music that just meld into the story with an A list of musical friends" – Laurie Brown, Host of "The Signal" on CBC Radio
Sponsored by Na’amat Canada. Presented as part of the 8th Annual Daniel Pearl Music Days. The United States Consulate General in Toronto is pleased to join the Koffler Centre of the Arts in commemorating the life of Daniel Pearl and his work to connect diverse people through words and music.
Click here to purchase tickets, or call 1.888.222.6608
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Sunday, October 25
CHILDREN & FAMILIES AT THE JEWISH BOOK FAIR
An Adventure in Latkaland with Karen Fishman
Ages 4 to 8
10:30 AM | $1 per child
Karen Fisman reads from her new book An Adventure in Latkaland – A Hanukah Story. Join Jack and Sarah as they draw on their wits, bravery and the lessons of history to overcome the fearsome obstacles on their way to Latkaland. A tale inspired by the story of the Maccabees.
After listening to an excerpt from the book, children will put their own creative spin on a Latkaland character as they design and make puppets from a wonderful array of materials!
KOFFLER ART WORKSHOPS
Writing Your Jewish Family Stories and Memoirs
Room 123, Gales Pavilion
1 – 5 PM | $30*
Stories passed from one generation to the next carry the values, culture, and unique mythology of that family. Knowing our family's stories solidifies our sense of belonging. If you have been thinking of collecting family stories, then this workshop is for you! Writer and editor Lil Blume will share ideas for reviving memories and writing and organizing your family story project.
*Advanced registration required for the workshops, space is limited. Contact Aviva Babins, 416-638-1881 x 4381 / ababins@kofflerarts.org
The Many Yiddishlands of David Roskies
Annual Bess Shockett Memorial Lecture
1:30 PM | $5
Speaking in Yiddish and English, David G. Roskies shares his memoir of personal, family and social history of old Europe and modern Canada. Yiddishlands (2009 Canadian Jewish Book Award Winner) focuses on Roskies’ mother and her reverence for Yiddish culture. Masha immersed her four children in the culture that she loved so deeply by promoting Yiddish theatre and arranging literary soirees featuring I. B. Singer, Itsik Manger, Avrom Sutzkever, and Chaim Grade.
Sponsored by Committee for Yiddish of UJA Federation, Friends of Yiddish, United Jewish People’s Order / Winchevsky Centre, Workmens Circle / Arbeiter Ring. Supported by Shockett Yiddish Teachers Training Fund and Victor and Renee Topper, in Memory of Velvel Katz.
Organic and Kosher Recipe Renovations
Culinary Arts Studio, Gales Pavilion
1 – 2:00 PM | $5
A talk with Aviva Allen, author of The Organic Kosher Cookbook, on how to make healthier versions of your favourite recipes.
*Advanced registration required for the workshops, space is limited. Contact Aviva Babins, 416-638-1881 x 4381 / ababins@kofflerarts.org
Jewish Communal Work from Morocco to Russia (With a Stop in Paris)
4 PM | $5
Dr. Seymour Epstein’s new memoir, From Couscous to Kasha, is based on 18 years of working for the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (‘The Joint’) in Morocco, Western Europe and Russia. It is about the complexities of Jewish community life in two radically different places – the disintegrating Jewish community of North Africa (a place where we shone brilliantly for centuries), and the "new Jews" of post-communist Russia (a place where Jewish life was suppressed for three generations).
A program of kofflerkultura. Sponsored by Congregation Beth Haminyan
Koffler Arts Salon presents: Ancient Text, New Art
8 PM | $12
A one-of-a-kind evening inspired by Adam Seelig’s Talking Masks, a new play fusing two of the world’s most enduring myths: the tragedy of Oedipus and the tale of Isaac and Ishmael. Experience the creativity of contemporary artists making new work informed by ancient writings featuring the Canadian CD release of Girls in Trouble (Jdub records), new music by Alicia Jo Rabins with an indie-folk feel, telling the stories of obscure Biblical women through a song cycle.
Click here to purchase tickets, or call 1.888.222.6608
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Monday, October 26
CHILDREN & FAMILIES AT THE JEWISH BOOK FAIR
Guardian Angel House with author Kathy Clark
Ages 9-13
10:30 AM and 1:30 PM
Based on the true story of two Jewish sisters sheltered from the Nazis by a group of Catholic nuns during World War II, Kathy Clark’s mother and aunt were among more than 12 Jewish children taken in and hidden by the Sisters of Charity in Budapest. The sisters discover the true nature of courage shown by both rescued and their rescuers. Kathy Clark wrote Guardian Angel House after watching a Hungarian documentary about the convent and realizing that these were the people who had rescued her mother and aunt. She was especially impressed by the great respect that the nuns showed for the religious beliefs of their wards.
Growing Up Jewish in South Africa
Fourth Floor, Lipa Green Centre
2 PM | FREE
Lily Poritz Miller, author of the memoir In a Pale Blue Light, tells her story of loss, defiance and change in South Africa in the late 1930's. Her family escaped the pogroms of Eastern Europe to settle in Cape Town only to face the dangerous racial crosscurrents that afflicted South Africa after World War II.
Sponsored by Beth Tikvah Synagogue.
Horror Transformed Into Art
8 PM | $10
Author Nava Semel speaks about And the Rat Laughed, which has been transformed into an original opera in Hebrew. The story follows a young girl hidden during World War II with a Polish farmer’s family in a dark potato cellar for over a year, with little food and only a rat for company. She is eventually taken in by Father Stanislaw who hides the Jewish child in his church and risks his life in healing her wounded body and broken soul.
Sponsored by The Haifa Foundation.
Click here to purchase tickets, or call 1.888.222.6608
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Tuesday, October 27
CHILDREN & FAMILIES AT THE JEWISH BOOK FAIR
An Adventure in Latkaland with Karen Fishman
Ages 4 to 8
10:30 AM | $1 per child
Karen Fisman reads from her new book An Adventure in Latkaland – A Hanukah Story. Join Jack and Sarah as they draw on their wits, bravery and the lessons of history to overcome the fearsome obstacles on their way to Latkaland. A tale inspired by the story of the Maccabees.
After listening to an excerpt from the book, children will put their own creative spin on a Latkaland character as they design and make puppets from a wonderful array of materials!
Treasures in Jewish Literature
Room 211, Gales Pavilion
1 to 3 PM | $15 per session | $60 Series Pass
Join the first event of the season in an engaging book review series exploring the best in contemporary Jewish literature, presented by local literary experts and beloved book reviewers. Fault Lines (2008) by Nancy Huston is reviewed by Cathy Tile, Toronto’s most sought after book reviewer and a past writer for CBC Radio. Click here for the full 2009-10 Treasures in Jewish Literature program.
Presented together with the Prosserman JCC.
Teaching the Holocaust Through Art
2 – 3:30 PM | FREE
4 – 5:30 PM | FREE
A special educators’ workshop with guest presenters Nava Semel, author of the internationally acclaimed book And the Rat Laughed; Ella Milch-Sheriff, librettist for the opera; and Einat Aronstein, soprano and originator of lead operatic role. Combining their expertise in literature, music and performance, these three remarkable individuals will lead an inspirational session on teaching about the Holocaust through the arts.
This program will be repeated from 4 – 5:30 PM.
Sponsored by the Sarah and Chaim Neuberger Holocaust Education Centre and Opera York.
For more information or to RSVP, contact Hannah Schwartz at hschwartz@ujafed.org or 416.635.2883 x5153
Presented in conjunction with the North American premiere of the Israeli Opera And the Rat Laughed, part of the annual Holocaust Education Week (November 1 - 11), for details: www.holocausteducationweek.com
Bagels, Business and Being a Mensch
8 PM | $10
Noah Alper, founder of Noah’s Bagels has a new book Business Mensch: Timeless Wisdom for Today’s Entrepreneur about why being a mensch is not only good for the soul but good for business too. In his trademark warm and often wry style, Alper draws on the timeless wisdom of Jewish ethical teachings, citing from his multi-faceted business background and candid life experiences. This book is the ultimate corrective to the culture of corporate and personal greed that has nearly ruined the North American economy.
Click here to purchase tickets, or call 1.888.222.6608
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Wednesday, October 28
CHILDREN & FAMILIES AT THE JEWISH BOOK FAIR
Guardian Angel House with author Kathy Clark
Ages 9-13
10:30 AM and 1:30 PM
Based on the true story of two Jewish sisters sheltered from the Nazis by a group of Catholic nuns during World War II, Kathy Clark’s mother and aunt were among more than 12 Jewish children taken in and hidden by the Sisters of Charity in Budapest. The sisters discover the true nature of courage shown by both rescued and their rescuers. Kathy Clark wrote Guardian Angel House after watching a Hungarian documentary about the convent and realizing that these were the people who had rescued her mother and aunt. She was especially impressed by the great respect that the nuns showed for the religious beliefs of their wards.
The True Story of a German Jewish Royal Air Force Pilot
2 PM | $5
Marc H. Stevens, author of Escape, Evasion and Revenge, shares his father’s story as a German Jewish Royal Air Force pilot who bombed Berlin and became a POW. After the war, Peter Stevens moved to Canada without ever revealing his Jewish heritage. His son Marc has written the gripping story of his father’s life after discovering his true identity.
Sponsored by Canadian Jewish Congress.
Searching for Justice
8 PM | $10
In Searching for Justice, Fred Kaufman writes of being born into a middle-class Jewish family in 1920s Vienna, interned as an "enemy alien" and sent to Canada where he obtained his law degree. Early in his career, he secured the release of a young Pierre Elliott Trudeau from prison, and in 1973, Trudeau returned the favour by personally informing Kaufman of his appointment to the Quebec Court of Appeal, where he served for eighteen years. In retirement, Kaufman has led numerous commissions and inquiries.
Sponsored by Bnai Brith Canada.
Click here to purchase tickets, or call 1.888.222.6608
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Thursday, October 29
CHILDREN & FAMILIES AT THE JEWISH BOOK FAIR
Guardian Angel House with author Kathy Clark
Ages 9-13
10:30 AM
Based on the true story of two Jewish sisters sheltered from the Nazis by a group of Catholic nuns during World War II, Kathy Clark’s mother and aunt were among more than 12 Jewish children taken in and hidden by the Sisters of Charity in Budapest. The sisters discover the true nature of courage shown by both rescued and their rescuers. Kathy Clark wrote Guardian Angel House after watching a Hungarian documentary about the convent and realizing that these were the people who had rescued her mother and aunt. She was especially impressed by the great respect that the nuns showed for the religious beliefs of their wards.
The Scroll and the Book: The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Earliest Jewish Library
2 PM | FREE
Dr. Lawrence Schiffman (Chair of the Skirball Department of Hebrew and Judaic Studies, New York University), a well known specialist on the Dead Sea Scrolls presents a special talk in honour of the Jewish Book Fair and the Koffler Gallery’s contemporary art installation at the Royal Ontario Museum, Margins, which unravels the Dead Sea Scrolls through contemporary art. Dr. Schiffman examines what books and libraries were like in the ancient period and, basing himself on the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Ancient Library at Qumram, he demonstrates the special significance of the Scroll as a medium for transmission of the Jewish tradition. In this illustrated lecture, he looks at different scrolls in Jewish tradition, revealing how they represent both continuity and change.
How to be a Mentsh
8 PM | $10
Wise and hilarious, How to be a Mentsh (and Not a Shmuck): The Secrets of the Good Life from the Most Unpopular People on Earth is the latest book from Michael Wex, professor, scholar, translator, novelist, and performer. It is a book about happiness – your own and that of others. The principles outlined here will work for anyone, Jewish or not, who makes the effort to put them into practice. Drawing on the "wisdom of the ages," the bestselling author of Born to Kvetch shows readers how to figure out the right thing to do in any situation.
Click here to purchase tickets, or call 1.888.222.6608
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Friday, October 30
Six Walks with a Day of Rest
Noon to 1:30 PM | FREE
Rabbi Erwin Schild, author of And Miles to Go Before I Sleep: Six Walks With a Day of Rest, was born in Cologne, Germany, a Holocaust survivor of the Dachau concentration camp. In 1947, he became the Rabbi of Adath Israel Congregation in Toronto, Ontario and Rabbi Emeritus upon his retirement in 1989. In 2001, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada.
Sponsored by Adath Israel Congregation.
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Saturday, October 31
From a Book to the Big Screen – an evening of film inspired by Amos Oz
8 PM | $12
Based on Panther in the Basement by renowned Israeli novelist Amos Oz, Little Traitor is set in 1947 Jerusalem, a few months before Israel becomes a state, starring Ido Port, Alfred Molina, Theodore Bikel, and Rami Heuberger. A spirited 11 year old militant, who wants the British occupiers to leave his land, is stopped by a British army officer when out past curfew. The confrontation develops into a friendship that changes the two foes’ lives forever. (In English and Hebrew with English subtitles).
Sponsored by Canadian Friends of Tel Aviv University.
Click here to purchase tickets, or call 1.888.222.6608
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Sunday, November 1
The Zen of Jewish Knitting
2 PM | $5
With a Master’s degree in Art and Popular Culture and having worked within the worlds of museums, marketing, broadcasting, education and business, Rosanne Bernard was destined to write a book about knitting, Knittishisms: The Zen of Jewish Knitting. Given the fibre name, Rebel Knitter by her knitting comrades, Bernard does not follow a pattern out of an eccentric wish to make “one-of-a-kind” masterpieces. Bring your knitting and spin a yarn with the Rebel Knitter herself.
OFFSITE BOOK LAUNCH
Whispers from the Camps
Temple Sinai, 210 Wilson Avenue
3 PM | FREE
The stories in Whispers from the Camps by Kathy Kacer and Sharon McKay are harrowing accounts from children who survived being captured and imprisoned in Nazi concentration camps. Stripped of their clothes, their possessions, and, in many cases, their families, they nevertheless held on to the hope of freedom. Despite the insurmountable odds against survival, these children lived to tell their tales in the second installment of the Whispers series. Some of those survivors will read, along with the author, and talk of their ordeal. Followed by a reception.
Sponsored by Penguin Books Canada.
New Jewish Fiction and Poetry
4 PM | $5
Readings and discussions with writers Lauren Kirshner, author of Where We Have to Go; Cary Fagan, author of Valentine's Fall (winner of a Toronto Book Award, two Jewish Book Awards and Mr. Christie Silver Medal); Sidura Ludwig, author of Holding My Breath; and Adam Sol, author of a novel in poems, Jeremiah, Ohio (shortlisted for the Trillium Prize for Poetry in 2009).
Sponsored by the Canadian Jewish News.
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