West Bloomfield

JCC to book center with book fair

By Eric Czarnik
C & G Staff Writer

WEST BLOOMFIELD — Authors from around the world will be drawn to the Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit in West Bloomfield to talk about their work at the 61st annual Jewish Book Fair Nov. 7-18.

Book Fair Director Shari Lebo said the reading festival has been known as the nation’s largest and oldest Jewish book fair, and organizers expect to draw in more than 20,000 people this year.

“There’s actually a lot different and a lot the same,” she said. “We’re not going to change what works.”

Lebo said different visitors attend every year, depending on the authors and themes presented. Avid readers can look forward to hearing from experts in the arts, literature, science, history, politics and religion.

According to Lebo, some musicians are expected to speak and perform. Judy Collins will take her audience through a night of music, and Detroit Symphony Orchestra conductor Leonard Slatkin will also share insights into his life.

Although the presidential election will be over by the time the book fair starts, heavy helpings of politics and history will satisfy readers of current events. Authors will present books on the Holocaust, Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, the Middle East, Sept. 11 and more.

For instance, former U.S. Ambassador to the European Union Stuart Eizenstat will speak on his latest book, “The Future of the Jews: How Global Forces Are Impacting the Jewish People, Israel, and Its Relationship with the United States,” Nov. 10.

Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright will close the book fair Nov. 18 with her discussion of her latest book, “Prague Winter: A Personal Story of Remembrance and War,” at the Berman Center for the Performing Arts, on the West Bloomfield JCC campus.

The secrets of religion and faith will be shared at the event. Nov. 11 promises to be a “blessed” day when Andrea Lieber recounts “One Hundred Blessings a Day — Why Jewish Spirituality Begins With Gratitude.” After that, Rabbi David Fohrman will discuss “Count Your Blessings: What the Garden of Eden Teaches Us About the Pursuit of Happiness.”

After the authors give their lectures, local rabbis will hold workshops on various Jewish blessings, Lebo said.

Local authors will be honored at the book fair. On Nov. 11, Jordan Zaslow will pay tribute to her late father, Jeffrey Zaslow, and his book, “The Magic Room: A Story About the Love We Wish for Our Daughters.” Jeffrey Zaslow, a former Wall Street Journal columnist who lived in West Bloomfield, died last February from an auto accident in northern Michigan.

On Nov. 13, West Bloomfield relationships author Dr. Terri Orbuch will return to the JCC book fair to promote her new book, “Finding Love Again: 6 Simple Steps to a New and Happy Relationship.”

Orbuch, who spoke at the 2009 book fair, said her new book focuses on divorced individuals she has studied. She said she will lecture on how to let go of the past, move forward and find new love, as well as offering online dating strategies.

“Last time, I thought the audience and the people who attended the book fair were engaged,” she said. “They’re very interested in relationships, and they’re supportive of my research, my book and me.”

The Jewish Community Center’s 61st annual Jewish Book Fair will take place Nov. 7-18 at its campuses in West Bloomfield, 6600 W. Maple Road, and in Oak Park, 15110 W. 10 Mile Road. Learn more about events and their specific times at www.jccdet.org or call (248) 661-1000.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Eric Czarnik at eczarnik@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1058.