...ancient Jewish
wisdom for
contemporary challenges.

,„.1.1:11rblinc 13t:nnti

that could be, and that became The
Good Friday Murder. My agent said I
[should] use another [author] name so
people picking up the book wouldn't
think they would find a family story
or a love story.
Although Harris does not consider
herself a religious person, she is very
conscious and aware of being Jewish.
She had a Jewish upbringing in Buffalo,
N.Y., and has a sister and cousin now
living in Israel. He jusr won the Israel
Prize in Biology for a study involving
the regulation of gene expression.
The Foundation for Righteous
Gentiles is very important to her as well.
"I think the people helped by the
foundation are the true heroes of the
century," says Harris, who declines to
divulge her age. "They protected and
helped Jews, and are [now] old. Many
are needy, and I can't think of more
worthwhile people to support. These
are people who need to be thanked in
more than words.
Harris likes to give plenty of thanks
to the people who provide the factual
information that gives credence to her
stories. They include a former nun,
Ana M. Soler; a former police officer,
James L.V. Wegman; and relatives who
helped her map out the neighborhood
described in The Father's Day Murder,
Martin Shulman, Cecille Shulman and
Irwin Shulman.

In her youth, Harris visited neigh-
borhoods in Detroit. Relatives on her
father's side of the family, the Cedars,
were her hosts.
At the book signings, Harris will be
joined by writer-friends Valerie
Wolzien, Lora Roberts and Jonnie
Jacobs. All mystery writers, they
decided touring together could draw
bigger crowds.
Harris recently celebrated the holi-
day that will be the subject of her next
book, The Mother's Day Murder. Her
grown daughter, Molly, a magazine
writer, and her grown son, Josh, a TV
market researcher, sent her a basket of
gourmet cheeses.
"Two years ago, my editor said I
was coming to the end of the holidays,
and the conversation will probably
come up again soon," Harris says. "I
don't want to get into obscure holi-
days, and I do want to get at least one
more series published." II

Lee Harris will sign copies of The
Father's Day Murder 7:30-8:30

p.m. Thursday, May 27, at Barnes
& Noble, 6575 Telegraph,
Bloomfield Hills. (248) 540-4209;
and 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 25,
at Aunt Agatha's, 213 S. Fourth
Ave., Ann Arbor, (734) 769-1114

Tuesday, June 1 • 7:30 p.m. • Free of charge
D. Dan & Betty Kahn Building, West Bloomfield

more information or to register, please call (248) 661-7649.

Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit
D. Dan & Betty Kahn Building
6600'West Maple Road ° West Bloomfield, MI 48322

CATERING

WE CAN DO
SOMETHING
FABULOUS
FOR THAT
SPECIAL
EVENT
DELIVERY
SERVICE
AVAILABLE

LET US TAKE
CARE OF
THE FOOD!
HOME OR
OFFICE,
ANY
OCCASIONS,
SHWAS,
NO
NOTICE
NEEDED!

A Little Bit Of New York
Right Here In Bloomfield Hills

6646 Telegraph at Maple • Bloomfield Plaza • 248-932-0800

Lelli's
of Auburn Hills & Detroit

FINE DINING RESTAURANTS

Catering Services Provided For Your Special.Occasion Or Company Celebration.
Our Location Or Yours.

Harris, left,
travels with fellow
whodunit writers
Valerie Wolzien,
Jonnie Jacobs
and Lora Roberts.

Becky
Lelli's of Auburn Hills • 248-373-4440

Andre
Lelli's of Detroit • 313-871-1590

Detroit Now Open Mondays

512

1 999

Detroit Jewish News

85