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Jewish book festival lets readers, writers meet

submitted Singer/songwriter Rabbi Joe Black

ENLARGE PHOTO

Dan Dion Singer/songwriter Rabbi Joe Black

submitted Author Esther Hertzog

Author Marth Moody Jacobs

By Meredith Moss, Staff Writer 6:08 PM Friday, October 23, 2009

CENTERVILLE— Whatever side of the book you’re on — reader or writer — book fairs can be fun.

“They’re interesting for an author in terms of finding out what readers are curious about,” said Martha Moody Jacobs, the Washington Twp. novelist who’s penned a series of national best sellers. “And readers find it fun to see behind-the-scenes, to meet the author and hear about the experience of writing a book.”

This is the third time Jacobs has chaired the Dayton Jewish Cultural Arts and Annual Book Festival, a series of mostly free events open to the entire community. This year’s program kicks off on Thursday, Oct. 29, and runs though Wednesday, Nov. 18. The majority of events, as well as 200 books for sale, will be at the Boonshoft CJCE in Centerville.

Last year, Moody and her committee expanded the 12-year-old fair to include a number of cultural arts performances; more than 1,000 people attended. So this year, in addition to a group of nationally known authors, the program will also introduce New York off-Broadway comedian Cory Kahaney, the award-winning classical Vogler Quartet and singer/songwriter Rabbi Joe Black who invites kids to attend his concert in their PJs.

Other highlights include:

• Author Esther Hertzog of Tel Aviv, born to Holocaust survivors on a boat to the holy land, who will talk about women and family in the Holocaust, as well as her work bringing together Arab and Jewish women in Israel. (Nov. 2 and 17)

• Former “60 Minutes” producer Abigail Pogrebin who will share experiences growing up as an identical twin and the importance of a child’s need to be singular. (Nov. 4)

• Mystery writer Lev Raphael, who used his detective skills to piece together the story of his own parents’ lives. (Nov. 12)

• Writer Paul Golin, who shares parenting advice for interfaith families. (Nov. 8)

• Rabbi Michael Cook, who will discuss the Jewish approach to the New Testament.

Jacobs will kick off the series Oct. 29 with a discussion of her newest novel, “Sometimes Mine.”

“A lot of times you’ll read a section and it’s interesting to see whether it works,” she said. “Do people laugh, do they look thoughtful, do they look sad? I did a reading of my second book and there was a section that was a little racy but it had a funny bit and people didn’t stop laughing. That burst of laughter was very heartening.”

Moody continues to volunteer as chair, she said, because she finds it gratifying to see a diverse audience coming together and enjoying the various events.

“We have people from different churches, clergy, it’s fun,” she said. “It’s nice to see people chatting who might not even know each other, but they share a love of books and reading and a curiosity about various topics. Reading can be solitary, writing can, too, so it’s nice to have people get together who enjoy both.”

How to go

What: Dayton Jewish Cultural Arts and 13th Annual Book Festival

When: Oct. 29 through Nov. 18.

Where: Boonshoft Center for Jewish Culture and Education, 525 Versailles Drive, Centerville. Some events will be held at Temple Israel, Beth Jacob Synagogue, Hillel Academy and Beth Abraham Synagogue.

Admission: Most events are free with the exception of comedian Cory Kahaney and the Vogler Quarter.

Complete schedule: www.jewish dayton.org

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2440 or MMoss@Dayton DailyNews.com.

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