The Marjorie & Lewis Katz Jewish Community Center (JCC) is excited to announce the return of its annual Arts, Books and Culture Festival, taking place throughout November. With a rich tradition of inspiring creativity and engaging the community, this year’s festival promises a dynamic lineup of thought-provoking events, captivating authors, and diverse cultural experiences that offer something for every taste and interest. In total, the festival will feature 15 exciting events throughout the month.
Kicking off the festival on Monday, November 4 at 10:30 am, author Rabbi David-Seth Kirshner will present his poignant and timely book Streams of Shattered Consciousness. Written in response to the tragic events of October 7, 2023, Kirshner’s work offers a deeply personal chronicle of his emotional journey during one of the most significant crises in recent Jewish history. His reflections will resonate with readers and listeners alike, making this a powerful and moving event to start the festival.
Well-known CNN Pentagon Correspondent, Oren Liebermann will headline the Sunday, November 10 event at 12:30 pm. Based in Washington, D.C., Liebermann covers U.S. defense and military affairs, providing critical insights into global security issues. Before his current role, he served as a CNN correspondent in Jerusalem, where he reported on major events across the Middle East. Born in the U.S. and raised in Israel, Liebermann brings a unique perspective to his work, blending his expertise in international relations with personal experiences. He has won several awards for his reporting, including for his coverage of the war in Ukraine and the conflicts in the Middle East.
Oren will discuss his experiences as a journalist and his journey with Type 1 Diabetes, chronicled in his book The Insulin Express. Tickets include a light Israeli lunch.
To keep things light and fun, the festival also includes The Joy of Costco with authors David and Susan Schwartz, Wednesday, November 13 at 6:30pm. Join David and Susan Schwartz as they explore the quirks and delights of one of the world’s most popular retailers, Costco. Tickets include exclusive Costco snacks!
Also included in this year’s festival lineup is an unforgettable weekend with Joel Chasnoff, a versatile author, award-winning comedian, and captivating speaker. Joel, the National Jewish Book Award winner for Israel 201, has spent over 20 years bringing his unique brand of clean, uplifting Jewish comedy to more than 1,500 audiences worldwide.
The weekend with Joel kicks off on Friday, November 15, at 10:30 am with A Taste of Israel, where Joel, with his deep love for Israel’s culture, will lead a hands-on cooking workshop, bringing traditional dishes and modern twists to life. On Saturday, November 16, at 7:00 pm, prepare for an evening of laughter and celebration with Comedy Night, featuring Joel’s stand-up comedy, light hors d’oeuvres, and a wine tasting. Finally, on Sunday, November 17, at 10:30 am, Joel will delve into a thought-provoking discussion,Israel: State of the State, examining the current state of Israel and Jewish life in America.
Joel, who grew up in Evanston, IL, and served as a tank gunner in the IDF, now lives in Ra’anana, Israel, with his Israeli wife and their four children. From his bestselling memoirThe 188th Crybaby Brigade to his upcoming Yachad tour, Joel’s stories and workshops continue to bring Jewish communities closer together, making his visit to our community an invitation to laugh, learn and connect.
This festival is supported by our generous Silver Sponsor, Td Bank, and Bronze Sponsors, JCC Association of North America, in partnership with Israel’s Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and Seashore Wealth Management. The Arts, Books and Culture Festival is funded in part by the Jewish Community Foundation and the Annual Campaign of Jewish Federation of Atlantic & Cape May Counties. We extend our deepest thanks for our sponsors’ continued support of our community.
For more details and to register for events, please visit https://jccatlantic.org/2024/09/16/2024-arts-books-culture-festival/
