JEWISH FEDERATION
December 2021
Books make great gifts And they aren’t stuck on containers at a port By Gayle Dorio, 2021-22 Jewish Book Festival chair
I
’m sure you Kindle users know that it is a simple matter to order a “sample” of a book, read the pages offered and then decide whether or not and then decided to add an you wish to purchase and additional author into his read the whole book. Just like original November slot. So, in a bookstore! Open up the now we have the full Chai book, shuffle here and there complement — 18 authors at and get a taste! Sit at Barnes 16 events. A bonus at no extra and Noble bookstore and have cost for our Patrons! a cup of coffee as you relax in It’s rewarding to be a memone of the comfy chairs. Or ber of the Jewish Book Festival order the book from Amazon Committee. Yes, there is a and have it delivered before Gayle Dorio great deal of work involved you can turn around! to present the Festival, but We are so fortunate to it is truly a labor of love. In addition have the world of books open to us. As to reading and reviewing lots of books, People of the Book, I am always pleased committee members help solicit sponto hear friends discussing what they are sors, act as publicity voices, help select currently reading — there always seems music, food, venues, etc. They help with to be an interesting new book. We also the in-person events — checking people have excellent libraries that offer so much! in, greeting them, showing them to their Books on tape, large print, etc. And what seats, selling books and answering quescan be better than having authors appear tions. Introductions and monitoring before us to discuss their books? the Q&A fall to committee members For the past six years, we have been as well as other interested parties. Some treated to an assortment of authors, who are “author champions,” making sure spend time with us, weaving their stories their chosen author is well cared for as if spinning straw into gold. Every year, and serving as the liaison for all things the authors’ credentials are impressive, with the author. and they each do a fine job of explaining One distinct advantage committee their subject matter and enlightening us. members share is the ability to get to This year, we expected to have 17 know the authors on a more personal authors at 15 events. But one of our level. And some authors have stayed in authors needed to recover from surgery. touch with their author champions. He requested to move his presentation to March instead of November. We agreed
December books
So here it is December! The month with Chanukah … ready with books for presents? On Dec. 2, you’ll be treated to Judy Batalion, whose book, “The Light of Days,” has been optioned for a major movie by Steven Spielberg. Lauren Fox will discuss her book, “Send For Me,” on Dec. 10. And Annabelle Gurwitch will be here Dec. 17 to entertain with her book, “You’re Leaving When?”
January books January will feature five authors at four events: Joshua Jay on Jan. 6, with “How Magicians Think;” Silvia Foti on Jan. 12, with “The Nazi’s Granddaughter;” Bob Abelman on Jan. 19, with “All the World’s a Stage Fright;” and both Charles Lichtman and Alexander Weinstein on Jan. 25 with their books, “The Sword of David” and “Universal Love,” respectively. As my friend, Gloriana the Great, is fond of saying, “Please tell everyone you know about the Jewish Book Festival … tell all your friends … tell people you do not even know, people you do not even like!”
Federation Star
5
Dr. Brandon Kirsch: lawyer and dermatologist (by his mother’s decree)
There’s an old joke about a Jewish mother who is walking down the street with her two young sons. A passerby asks her how old the boys are. “The doctor is three,” the mother answers, “and the lawyer is two.” Well, my mom had just one son, so I had to be both!
In truth, I decided to become a doctor as a second career because I felt it was my calling. I founded Kirsch Dermatology as a boutique dermatology practice with the goal of recapturing the essence of medicine: thoughtful and compassionate care made available to everyone. It gives me so much joy to contribute to the health and wellbeing of the Naples community.
Shalom aleichem and hope to see you soon!
(239) 300-9767
