Temple Emanu-El Partners with MJCCA Book Festival
Sunday, November 6 at 2:15 PM at the MJCCA
Ted Gup, A Secret Gift and David Levinson, Everyone Helps, Everyone Wins
A Secret Gift: How One Man's Kindness-and a Trove of Letters-Revealed the Hidden History of the Great Depression, Ted Gup
Shortly before Christmas 1933 in Depression-scarred Canton, Ohio, a small newspaper ad offered $10, no strings attached, to 75 families in distress. Interested readers were asked to submit letters describing their hardships to a benefactor calling himself Mr. B. Virdot. The author's grandfather, Sam Stone, was inspired to place this ad and assist his fellow Cantonians as they prepared for the cruelest Christmas most of them would ever witness. Seventy five years later, Ted Gup discovered all of the letters in a suitcase in his grandfather's attic. Moved by the tales of suffering and expressions of hope contained in the letters, he set out to unveil the lives behind them, searching for records and relatives all over the country who could help him flesh out the family sagas hinted at in those letters. From these sources, Gup has re-created the impact that Mr B. Virdot's gift had on each family.
Everyone Helps, Everyone Wins: How Absolutely Anyone Can Pitch In, Help Out, Give Back, and Make the World a Better Place, David Levinson
Once a self-proclaimed "reluctant volunteer"-too busy and unmotivated-David Levinson is now director of the largest regional volunteer network, Big Sunday, with an army of fifty thousand volunteers across California. Speaking to the reluctant volunteer in everyone, he boosts our "Volunteer IQ" with specific advice on how, where, and why we can help. He candidly addresses the benefits and pitfalls of volunteering. With a list of "Fifty-two Ways to Give Back," Levinson brainstorms ideas for traditional and offbeat ways to contribute to your community.
Order Event Tickets through Temple Emanu-El and receive MJCCA Member Pricing ($8)
Order Series Tickets (admission to all November Book Festival Events) through Temple Emanu-El and we will receive $18 to support our congregation!
About the MJCCA Book Festival
The 20th Edition of the Book Festival of the MJCCA, a highlight of Atlanta's literary calendar for 20 years, is scheduled for November 5 - 20, 2011. The Book Festival of the MJCCA presents more than 40 of the year's best and brightest authors in a variety of forums, including: political journalist and moderator Jim Lehrer; political commentator Chris Matthews; United States Senator Joe Lieberman; Academy Award-winning actress Dyan Cannon; beloved American media personality Regis Philbin; to name a few. More than 10,000 visitors will enjoy engaging speaker programs; author meet-and-greets; book signings; panel discussions; The PJ Library Storytelling Festival; the annual Esther G. Levine Community Read; the George Stern Family Lecture; Operation Paperback (donating your gently used books); and more. For information, call 678.812.4002, or purchase tickets on-line at www.atlantajcc.org/bookfestival.
