Santa Monica Public Library Announces Jewish Literature Book Discussion Series

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date:       December 1, 2004
Contact:  Julie MacDonald, Public Services Librarian, (310) 434-2644
                julie.macdonald@smgov.net

The Santa Monica Public Library will host a free, five-part reading and discussion series called "Let’s Talk About It: Jewish Literature – Identity and Imagination."  The series explores Jewish literature and culture though scholar-led discussions of contemporary and classic books on a common theme.  The library’s series will focus on the theme of Fathers and Daughters in a Changing World.  Santa Monica Public Library is one of thirty-four libraries nationwide to host the series developed by Nextbook and the American Library Association.

The first program explores Tevye the Dairyman by Sholem Aleichem and takes place on Wednesday, January 26 at 7 p.m.  All discussions are held at the Montana Avenue Branch, 1704 Montana Avenue.  Registration for the series is required, and resource guides are provided upon signup.  Please call (310) 434-2644 to register.

Additional books will be discussed every two weeks.  On February 9, Anzia’s Yezierska’s Bread Givers will be discussed.  On February 23, Anne Roiphe’s 1185 Park Avenue will be the topic of the discussion, then American Pastoral by Philip Roth on March 9.  The final session will be March 23 on Bee Season by Myla Goldberg.

 Barbara Bilson will lead the discussion at each session.  Bilson was a Professor of English at Santa Monica College for over twenty years.  She currently teaches Jewish literature classes and workshops at Leo Baeck Temple in Los Angeles and facilitates several book discussion groups throughout Los Angeles.

 This program has been made possible through a grant from Nextbook and the American Library Association.  For more information, call (310) 458-8600.

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This page was last updated on 12/01/04.