Joel Bakan
The JCC Jewish Book Festival takes Vancouver by storm with an exciting roster of writers from across Canada, the US, and Israel. This popular cultural extravaganza attracts celebrated authors and a wide audience from across the Lower Mainland. The Festival week is jam-packed with innovative literary events including unique meet-the-author opportunities, literary readings and panel discussions, a literary cocktail evening, a book club event, writing and self-publishing workshops, children’s authors, film-screenings, a used bookstore, and an onsite bookstore open throughout the week. This Festival offers something of interest for every age group and every literary taste.
Featured 2011 Festival authors include; Israeli writer and film-maker Etgar Keret, in conversation with Eleanor Wachtel, recorded for broadcast on CBC Writers & Company; Pen Faulkner award-winner David Guterson (Snow Falling on Cedars) showcasing his new book, Ed King (Oct 2011), in a special book club event hosted by CBC’s Sheryl MacKay; an intimate Writer’s Salon with David Bezmozgis, Mann Booker Prize nominee Alison Pick; Bravo’s Top Chef and the Food Network’s Iron Chef America judge and foodie writer Danyelle Freeman; Giller prize nominee Alexi Zentner, a panel of professionals addressing the timely issue of suicide awareness with poet/writer Jill Bialosky headlining; bestselling local writers Roberta Rich (The Midwife of Venice), Joel Bakan (Children Under Siege & The Corporation), Daniel Kalla (The Far Side Of The Sky), a host of celebrated childrens’ writers including Aubrey Davis (Bagels from Benny; The Enormous Potato), Dan Bar-el, Rae Mate and Ellen Schwartz, as well as creative writing workshops, film screenings, storytelling for adults, two Festival bookstores (new/used) and an art exhibit based on the real story of Curious George creator H.A. Rey’s escape from Nazi Germany.
‘The Jewish Book Festival is a wide-reaching and inclusive event that reaches out to readers from all cultures and religions,’ says Festival director, Nicole Nozick. ‘Jewish writers don’t write only about Jewish subjects – their themes are universal: family relationships, love, humour, history. There is something for everyone with our diverse and entertaining selection of celebrated authors and panelists.’
Mark your calendars now! Regular updates can be found on the website at www.jewishbookfestival.ca All events take place at the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver (950 West 41st Ave @ Cambie).
