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Another City,
Another Book Fair
Ann Arbor's Jewish Book Fair grows with author appearances, special events.
DEBRA DARVICK
Special to the Jewish News
L
Ann Arbor
eslie Bash, director of Ann
Arbor's Jewish Book Fair, has
her formula for success down
pat. The weeklong event, which begins
Sunday, Nov. 7, and runs through
Nov. 15, will be the fourth that Bash
has overseen and the city's 17th.
"We are a small community,"- she
says, "but authors really want to come.
They know those in the community
have a major interest in literature.
Each year, we've_grown in number of
attendees, programs and [proceeds
from sales]."
Most of the authors coming to Ann
Arbor this year also are making a stop
at Detroit's Jewish Book Fair. But
Book Fair in Ann Arbor will offer a
few interesting additions of its own,
including a visit from Natan
Sharansky, who is coming in from
Israel to speak about his new book,
The Case for Democracy: The Power of
Freedom to Overcome Tyranny and
Terror, which he co-authored with Ron
Dermer. -
Book Fair is being extended an extra
day, to Nov. 15, to host the co-
authors, says Bash, who adds that the
joint appearance was secured through a
family connection: Ron Dermer is the
nephew of Ann Arborites Pru and Ami
Rosenthal.
"Because so much is going on cul-
turally in Ann Arbor," comments
Bash's assistant Julie Bagley, "we know
that there are many opportunities for
people to listen to authors. We make a
point of appealing to a wider audience.
Ann Arbor is known for being sup-
portive of all types of different things
and [that makes for] a good base for
someone new to come and be heard."
One rising star is author Nancy
Reisman, whose first novel, The First
Desire, has received a trifecta of praise
from authors Ann Patchett, Anna
Quindlen and Julia Glass.
Set in Buffalo beginning in the early
20th century, The.First Desire takes
readers into the life of the Cohen fami-
ly; Reisman exquisitely traces the dra-
mas permeating their lives over the
decades.
Reisman, who grew up in Buffalo
and is.currently a visiting associate
professor at the University of
Michigan, told the Jewish News she
"wanted to explore the conflicting
need for intimacy and independence. I
am very conscious of the negotiations
many of us have in our lives between
individual growth and commitment to
family. Sometimes, people have to
make hard choices."
Also unique to Ann Arbor is author
Gil Troy, whose book, Why I am a
Zionist, explores oft-pondered ques-
tions: What is Zionism? Why is
Zionism equated with racism in the
eyes of the world? The result is a
cogent study of Jewish nationalism and
identity.
Ann Arbor's opening event is a spe-
cial donor's reception dedicating the
Washtenaw County-JCG's new
expanded gymnasium. David Zurawik,
author of The Jews of Prime Time, will
be the evening's opening-night speaker.
His book looks at the three major
TV networks from 1954 to 1972, then
run by Jewish men. But there were few
to no Jewish characters on TV
Zurawik's well-researched analysis seeks
to answer this blatant act of self-era-
sure.
Another special event features singer
Shira Kline, who'll perform a family
concert 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 14. Her
don't-miss performance is a great
opportunity for parents to introduce
their children to the spirit of Book
Fair.
Book Fair's Evening Arts Program on
Nov. 13 has been expanded from its
original incarnation as a literary night.
Hosted by Ken Waxberger, it will
include an open-mike night for poets,
writers and musicians and appearances
by singer-songwriter Laurie White and
Claire Kinberg, founder of a magazine
for feminists. The Temple Beth Emeth
Choir and Cantor Annie Rose will per-
form as well.
The structure of Ann Arbor's Jewish
Book Fair is simple and effective. "We
Natan Sharansky
makes a special
appearance in
Ann Arbor on
Nov. 15.
made
FAST
figured out that the best way to have
an audience midday was to work it
around lunchtime," Bash explains.
"Attendees can come for lunch and the
[author] lecture ($6) or for the lecture
only (free). And then we have our
evening speakers as well."
This writer will speak at a lunch and
learn on Nov. 11. "I had heard that
[Birmingham author] Debra Darvick
gave a wonderful talk about her book
(This Jewish Life) at Detroit's Book Fair
last year," says Bash. "One of her inter-
viewees, Jules Doneson, is the father of
an Ann Arbor resident, so that height-
ened the interest."
Bash is keen on promoting other
local talent as well. On Sunday, Nov.
14, the Local Author Fair begins with
a bagel brunch. "We make a point to
offer local authors, whose books may
not have been on the circuit, the
chance to speak for 10 minutes each,"
says Bash.
Bagley eagerly anticipates this year's
Jewish Book Fair. "Book Fair is one of
the most rewarding cultural events
that we at the JCC offer to the corn-.
munity. It's an opportunity to bring
unique and interesting authors who've
written wonderful books to the com-
munity." ❑
.
The Jewish Book Fair in Ann
Arbor runs Nov. 7-15 at the
Jewish Community Center of
Washtenaw County in Ann
Arbor. Alll speaker appearances
and other events are free of
charge; weekday lunches are $6
and reservations are required. See
the accompanying schedule for
details. (734) 971-0990 or
vvvvw.jccannarbotorg
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