United Jewish Federation of Tidewater & the Simon Family JCC’s Lee and Bernard Jaffe Family Jewish Book Festival 2021–2022 The annual celebration of Jewish writers, books, and ideas, Simon Family JCC’s Lee and Bernard Jaffe Family Jewish Book Festival provides opportunities to engage with talented authors about their latest books and projects. The Simon Family JCC is a member of the Jewish Book Council, a group that supports more than 120 organizations across North America, including JCC’s, synagogues, Hillels, Jewish Federations, and cultural centers.
To register for events, go to Jewishva.org/bookfest The Unexpected Spy Tracy Walder
Monday, October 25 | 7:30 pm
X Troop: The Secret Jewish Commandos of World War II Leah Garrett Thursday, October 28 | 7:30 pm
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Stockholm: The Adrenaline-Fueled Adventures of an Accidental Scientist Robert Lefkowitz
Thursday, November 4 | 7:30 pm (online only)
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hen Tracy Walder enrolled at the University of Southern California, she never thought that one day she would offer her pink beanbag chair in the Delta Gamma house to a CIA recruiter, or that she’d fly to the Middle East under an alias identity. The Unexpected Spy is the riveting story of Walder’s tenure in the CIA and, later, the FBI. In high-security, steel-walled rooms in Virginia, Walder watched al-Qaeda members with drones as President Bush looked over her shoulder and CIA Director George Tenet brought her donuts. Walder moved to the FBI, where she worked in counterintelligence. Catching the bad guys wasn’t a problem in the FBI, but rampant sexism was. Walder left the FBI to teach and encourage young women to find a place in the FBI, CIA, State Department or the Senate—and thus change the world. In partnership with United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Women’s Cabinet
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he incredible World War II saga of the German-Jewish commandos who fought in Britain’s most secretive specialforces unit—but whose story has gone untold until now. Leah Garrett is a professor at Hunter College. Her last book, Young Lions: How Jewish Authors Reinvented the American War Novel, won and was short-listed for several major literary awards. See review of X Troop on page 24. In partnership with United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Holocaust Commission
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Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Stockholm: The Adrenaline-Fueled Adventures of an Accidental Scientist is a rollicking memoir from the cardiologist turned legendary scientist and winner of the Nobel Prize that revels in the joy of science and discovery. In addition to his being a “yellow beret” in the public health corps with Dr. Anthony Fauci, to his time as a cardiologist, and his extraordinary transition to biochemistry, which lead to his Nobel Prize win, Lefkowitz has ignited passion and curiosity as a fabled mentor and teacher, and as one of today’s leading scientists.
United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and Simon Family JCC’s Lee and Bernard Jaffe Family Jewish Book Festival is held in coordination with the Jewish Book Council, a national organization whose sole purpose is the promotion of Jewish books. All events are open to the community with RSVP or tickets required and will take place in-person at the Sandler Family Campus and online, unless noted online only. For more information about the Festival, to register, sponsor, or volunteer, contact Jill Grossman at 757-965-6137 or JGrossman@ujft.org or jewishva.org. 26 | JEWISH NEWS | October 25, 2021 | jewishnewsva.org