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December 6, 2002/Tevet 1 5763, Vol. 55, No. 15
Response to JCC book fair 'fantastic'
LEISAH NAMM
Managing Editor
Volunteers sold approximately 800 books during the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center's first Jewish Book Fair, held Nov. 4-15.
"The community response to the book fair was fantastic," said Chairwoman Sandy Adler. "People were very excited to see the selection of Jewish books available (and) we were really happy with that response." Plans for next year's book fair, to be held in November to correspond with Jewish Book Month, include an expanded book sale and more evening and Sunday events.
Tricia Serlin, VOSJCC adult services director, said Adler was more than the chairwoman and coordinator of the event - "she had a vision, she had an idea, she wanted the book fair here and she helped to make it happen," Serlin said.
After Adler moved to Phoenix about seven years ago from Detroit, she noticed the absence of a major Jewish community book fair. "Detroit has the oldest and one of the biggest book fairs," Adler said. "When I moved here, (the) book fair was something I really missed."
Adler lists one of the highlights of the 12-day event as Rabbi Joseph Telushkin - whose lecture about his new book, "The Golden Land: The Story of the Jewish Migrations to America," drew more than 250 people. Another highlight was local author Barbara Mark Dreyfuss, who led two different events, one on her book "Renewal of Body, Renewal of Spirit" and the other a poetry workshop.
The third highlight for Adler was a writing workshop with author Victoria Zackheim, attended by a group of seventh graders from the middle school of Pardes Jewish Day School. The theme was to take a family memory and turn it into a short story. "It was really fantastic and I thought it was a great experience for the kids," said Adler.
In fact, "there was a lot of interaction between all of the authors and the audience," Adler said. "That was a great thing."
Besides Dreyfuss, local authors included Marcia Fine, Louis Grossman, Mary Herring, Renee Horowitz and Donna Smallin. Jeanne King of Sedona and Molly Roberts of Tucson also gave presentations, as well as winter visitor Jill Davis.
Borders bookstore on Cactus Road supplied the books, with help from steering committee member Marlene Benjamin of Borders who helped choose the books.
Funds raised from the event were used to underwrite its cost and proceeds will go toward next year's book fair.
To assist with next year's book fair, call Tricia Serlin, 480-483-7121.
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