ness associates while he
worked in advertising.
As the author reflect-
ed on the Clinton pres-
idency, he tried to
relive each year through
recollections triggered
by reviewing his calen-
dars, notes and articles
Self-Deprecating Humor
about the times. Before
Former President Bill the book was released,
"I wanted the book to
Clinton, with author the White House
communicate what it is like
Mark
Katz, will speak humorist touched base
inside the mind of a come-
with the people he
dy writer and what it is like at ORrs Visions of
Hope Dinner.
mentions and sent full
to have the out-of-body
copies to those who
feelings in the rarefied
helped him most directly.
places I came to know — the Oval
"I'm enjoying the public speaking;
Office, the West Wing and the cen-
sharing my experiences and finding
ters where the president speaks,"
says Katz, 40, who began his nation- the universal things that people
respond to," says Katz, continuing
al political career with former presi-
with a freelance career through his
dential candidate Michael Dukakis
one-man Sound Bite Institute.
and continues writing for others,
"I want to go on writing, generat-
although keeping some speakers'
ing humor and connecting with peo-
identities confidential.
"I wanted to take people inside the ple in that way. I'm fascinated with
the language of humor and think it's
mind of a person who understands
a special and underutilized aspect of
the world in•a slightly skewed and
funny way and actually take them on our culture."
Katz is especially glad to speak
a tour of the spots I have been able
about Clinton because he doesn't
to infiltrate."
think the presidential campaign
While Katz escorts readers through
between George W. Bush and
the inner corridors of the White
House for minute-to-minute details of Democrat John Kerry has as large a
place for lumor.
completing a speech with humor, he
"I think this is a pretty serious
also reveals his own life and the effects
election," he says. "I think there will
it had on his approach to writing.
be some of the silliness and hoopla
"I think I would characterize my
that comes with a campaign, but the
humor as Jewish humor," says Katz,
issues are pretty serious.
whose bar mitzvah joking explained
"I hear a mean pitch in Bush's
how he used horseradish as bait to
jokes, and I don't think he's given to
catch gefilte fish.
being self-effacing. I think he's smart
"One chapter of which I'm especially
enough to do the kind of jokes he
proud has to do with self-deprecating
humor and how it comes naturally only needs to do, but only because it
would occur to someone else to
to the most skillful practitioners of
arrive at them.
public power — and your average Jew.
"I'm a partisan Democrat and have
"I think that's one of the contribu-
friends connected to the Kerry cam-
tions my people have made to
paign. I think Kerry is going to find
American culture, and now it's infil-
that humor is a great way to connect
trating our American political cul-
to people. I hope before it's over I
ture. I think self-effacing humor is a
cultural tendency for outsiders every- will have a chance to help. I am list-
ed and waiting by the phone." ❑
where, and Jews historically have
been outsiders in most everyplace
they have lived except for Israel."
culture through multimedia
projects. Heading up the
event are co-chairs Dana
Burnstein and Linda Sahn
with Penny Blumenstein as
chair of the Honorary
Committee.
.
Bush Vs. Kerry
Katz, who has traveled throughout
Israel, fills his pages with personal
anecdotes involving the celebrities
who were part of his day-to-day
interactions — Hillary Clinton, Al
Gore, George Stephanopoulos. There
also are stories about his family,
friends, romantic interests and busi-
Former President Bill Clinton
and author Mark Katz speak as
part of ORT's Visions of Hope
Dinner, which begins 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 16, at the Jewish
Community Center in West
Bloomfield. $180 for individu-
als/$250 per couple.
(248) 723-8860.
• Homemade Soups
& Salads
• Coney Specials
• Greek Specialties
• Omelettes
• Daily Lunch
& Dinner Specials
• Homemade Sandwiches
Vail
.20catio#14
64(4
Detroit
Comerica Park Stadium
Birmingham
154 S. Woodward Ave.
Farmington Hills
30985 Orchard Lake Rd.
(between 13 & 14 Mile Rd.)
Millennium Park
(Middlebelt & 1-96)
Laurel Park Mall
(37622 6 Mile Rd.)
West Bloomfield
Plymouth
6527 Telegraph Rd.
Canton
1735 Canton Center Rd.
4763 Haggerty Rd.
(Pontiac Trail &
Haggerty Rd.)
Ann Arbor
1235 S. University
Pontiac
3999 Center Point
Parkway
Dearborn Heights
26540 Ford Rd.
(The Heights Plaza)
Commerce
Farmington Hills
37580 W. 12. Mile Rd
(Halstead Village)
9845 Telegraph Rd.
Livonia
Livonia
Bloomfield Twp.
Taylor
15131 Sheldon Rd.
(Sheldon at 5 Mile Rd.)
Southfield
15647 W. 9 Mile
at Greenfield Rd.
Novi
Commerce & Carrol Lk. Rd.
47830 Grand River Ave.
(Grand River & Beck Rd.)
Milford
Royal Oak
512 N. Main
Royal Oak
13 Mile Rd. & Woodward Ave.
Northwood Plaza
Main Street
Downtown Royal Oak
Hercules Family Restaurant
33292 W. 12. Mile Rd. • Farmington Hills
% TOTAL BILL
OFF With This Coupon
Expires 05/31/04. Not good with any other offers.
THE ORIGINAL _
RESTAURANT
VOTED BEST GREEK RESTAURANT
BY METRO DETROIT!
• PRIVATE PARTIES FOR 55 IN OUR DINING ROOM
• PARTY TRAYS
•ALL MENU ITEMS AVAILABLE FOR CARRY OUT
•GREEK & AMERICAN CUISINE
OFF TOTAL
FOOD BILL
•CHEF'S SPECIALS DAILY
• FULL BAR
Expires 05/31/04.
1 coupon per table.
Not good with any other offers.
5/ 7
2004
4301 Orchard Lake Road • West Bloomfield • crosswinds Plaza
248-538-6000
FAX: 248-538-0932
837520
49