Wednesday, Nov. 9, 7 pm
Transformations from Ethiopia to Israel
Ricki Rosen
Photojournalist Ricki Rosen shares insights and compelling before and after images of the Ethiopian Jewish immigrants, rescued by Israel during the Operation Solomon airlift in the 1980’s. Her work records their transformation into Israeli society 13 years later.
Megemeria Jewelry with Daniel Sahalo
An Ethiopian Jew, Sahalo shares his immigrant experience and his apprenticeship with Yvel, the Israeli jewelry company, that set up the first corporate /social initiative to provide vocational skills for immigrants. A new jewelry line, Megemaria, created by fellow immigrants and inspired by their journey to Israel, will be sold throughout the Book Festival.
(Presented in partnership with the Friends of Israel Defense Forces.)
Thursday, Nov. 10, 6:30 pm
Guy’s Night Out! Bite Restaurant (440 Monticello Avenue, Norfolk) RSVP required, limited space, call: 757-321-2304
(Presented in partnership with UJFT’s Young Adult Division)
Short Order Dad: One Guy’s Guide to Making Food and Fun and Hassle-Free
Robert Rosenthal
A former ad executive, a real-life dad, food humorist and professional chef, Robert Rosenthal provides the “power tools” to help men crank out delicious recipes for their families, move from man cave to kitchen, and learn from a hands-on experience at Bite. Get ready for comedy, cooking and a contest.
Sunday, Nov. 13, 1 pm & 4 pm
One author, two events—1 pm at the Simon Family JCC
(Presented in partnership with BBYO and local youth organizations)
Go Ahead & Like It
Jacqueline Suskin
Striving to bring poetry into the mainstream, Jacqueline Suskin offers a self-help art book filled with photographs, illustrations and handwritten instruction. It is her creative invitation to explore how making lists of favorite things—journaling the good found in everyday life—can produce gratitude, promote joy and inspire creative thinking.
Create Poetry!
Awaken the poet within and transform ideas into verse at this hands-on workshop led by performance poet Jacqueline Suskin.
4 pm at Paper Source (4536 Main Street, Virginia Beach Town Center) For tickets call: 757-456-2000. $30 per person.
Tuesday, Nov. 15, 7:30 pm
(Presented as part of the CRC of UJFT, Simon Family JCC and community partners’ Israel Today Series)
Inside the Middle East: Making Sense of the Most Dangerous and Complicated Region on Earth
Avi Melamed
Based on decades as an acclaimed Israeli intelligence analyst, Avi Melamed presents a thought-provoking and groundbreaking guide into the events shaping the region and insights into the psyche of Arab society. Described as a GPS for the Middle East, his work will challenge perceptions and provide fresh interpretations of the world’s future.
Thursday, Nov. 17, 12 pm
(Presented in partnership with UJFT’s Holocaust Commission and Beth Sholom Village)
Luncheon $12 or $8 for JCC members. RSVP by calling 757-321-2338.
The Devil’s Diary: Alfred Rosenberg and the Stolen Secrets of the Third Reich
Robert K. Wittman and David Kinney
Former FBI special agent, Robert Wittman recounts the riveting real-life detective story that led to the discovery of the longlost diary of Alfred Rosenberg, one of 11 Nazis sentenced to death at the Nuremberg trials. This historically significant document testifies to Rosenberg’s influence on Hitler’s destructive ideologies and the Final Solution.
Thursday, Nov. 17, 7:30 pm
Girl’s Night Out! Roast Rider Coffee & Tea (1554 Laskin Road, Virginia Beach) RSVP required, call 757-321-2304. (Presented in partnership with UJFT’s Young Adult Division)
The Mommy Group: Freaking Out, Finding Friends, and Surviving the Happiest Time of Our Lives
Elizabeth Gold
Have a drink, mingle with friends and get ready to laugh out loud. Elizabeth Gold shares the lives of seven Brooklyn women as they face the unexpected pleasures and perils of pregnancy, childbirth and early motherhood.
Friday, Nov. 18, 9:30 am & 5:45 pm
One author, multiple events
(Presented in partnership with Strelitz Early Childhood Education Center and the Hebrew Academy of Tidewater. Mama Doni concert in partnership with Ohef Sholom Temple)
Alef Bet Sing Along
Mama Doni and Eric Lindberg
Children will be sing and dance with this upbeat and playful introduction to the Hebrew A,B,Cs. Grab some breakfast at the Cardo Café and enjoy the fun.
In the evening, come out for some live music when Mama Doni will spice up Shabbat Services at Ohef Sholom Temple. Stay for Shabbat dinner and then applaud as children make music in Mama Doni’s music workshop.
5:45 pm–6:30 pm—Family Friendly Shabbat services featuring Mama Doni at Ohef Sholom Temple (530 Raleigh Avenue, Norfolk) Open to the community.
6:30 pm—Shabbat dinner at Ohef Sholom (RSVP to reservations@ ohefsholom.org) $10 per person, children under 12 free.
7–7:30 pm—Mama Doni Children’s Music Workshop Rabbi Deborah Bodin Cohen, interim associate rabbi at Ohef Sholom and an author of award-winning Jewish teen and children’s books, will be featured at the Book Festival, and will lead adult services at 7:30 pm.
Sunday, Nov. 20, 2 pm
Community read with local author
Leaving Iran: Between Migration and Exile
Farideh Goldin
Farideh Goldin presents an intimate portrait of her family’s displacement after the 1979 Iranian Revolution and their search for new identity. Translated from her father’s memoirs, Goldin shares insights into the marrow of the immigrant experience, weaving his story of dislocation and loss with her own experiences as an Iranian Jew in a new homeland.
(Beyond the Book Festival)
Tuesday, Dec. 6, 7:30 pm
(In partnership with the Simon Family JCC, and UJFT’s Community Relations Council and the Society of Professionals of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater)
Definition of Anti-Semitism
Evening with Kenneth Marcus
Founder and president of the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, Kenneth Marcus offers an indispensable book about the manner in which anti-Semitism has evolved from the ancient world to the present. Tracing the history from anti-Judaism to secular anti-Semitism, Marcus offers insights into the “new anti-Semitism” on university campuses around the globe.
This is the first in a three part series focusing on anti-Semitism and anti-Israel on university campuses. For more information on the series, including the upcoming events, email RMancoll@ujft.org.
Free and open to the community with RSVP required to 965.6107 or crc@ujft.org.
(All events take place at the Simon Family JCC unless noted.)
*of blessed memory