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Literatour Berks Continues with Mark Oppeheimer from Unorthodox Podcast

by The Jewish Federation of Reading

Feb 03, 2020

Wyomissing, PA — The Jewish Federation of Reading/Berks in partnership with Exeter Community Library and Sinking Spring Public Library announce the eleventh author of Literatour Berks, a community-wide year-long celebration with 16 events featuring authors, celebrities, and cultural influencers throughout Berks County. The public is invited to an afternoon with Mark Oppenheimer, one of the authors of The Newish Jewish Encyclopedia: From Abraham to Zabar’s and Everything in Between on Sunday, February 9 at 4 p.m. at the Jewish Cultural Center, 1100 Berkshire Blvd. Suite 125 Wyomissing, PA. The event is free and open to the public however reservations are required. To reserve a spot please visit www.readingjewishcommunity.org/home/literatour or call 610-406-9431.

Mark Oppenheimer is the former Beliefs columnist for the New York Times and the author of The Bar Mitzvah Crasher: Road-Tripping Through Jewish America. He has a PhD in American religion from Yale. He is a host of Unorthodox, a smart, fresh, fun weekly podcast take on Jewish news and culture hosted with Stephanie Butnick and Liel Leibovitz.

Named one of Library Journal’s Best Religion & Spirituality Books of 2019, The Newish Jewish Encyclopedia is an unorthodox guide to everything Jewish.  Deeply knowing, highly entertaining, and just a little bit irreverent, this encyclopedia of all things Jewish and Jew-ish covers culture, religion, history, habits, language, and more. Readers will refresh their knowledge of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs, the artistry of Barbra Streisand, the significance of the Oslo Accords, the meaning of words like balaboosta,balagan, bashert, and bageling. Understand all the major and minor holidays. Learn how the Jews invented Hollywood. Remind themselves why they need to read Hannah Arendt, watch Seinfeld, listen to Leonard Cohen. Even discover the secret of happiness (see “Latkes”). Includes hundreds of photos, charts, infographics, and illustrations.

The community and people of all faiths are invited to the Jewish Cultural Center on Sunday, February 9 at 4 p.m. for an afternoon with Oppenheimer.  After the discussion Oppenheimer will be signing copies of his book which will be on sale thanks to Reads & Company Bookshop of Phoenixville, the official book vendor of Literatour Berks.

Literatour Berks is a brand-new community program that will bring 18 authors in 16 exciting programs from October 2019 to June 2020 to Berks County. This inaugural program is presented by Jewish Federation of Reading/Berks in partnership with Exeter Community Library and Sinking Spring Public Library. A complete list of authors and topics can be found at www.readingjewishcommunity.org/home/literatour Additional support in the form of community patrons is acknowledged and appreciated.

The Jewish Federation of Reading/Berks is the planning, coordinating and fundraising arm of the Jewish community. The Federation raises and allocates funds along with the Jewish Federations of North America and collective efforts in support of many vital local, national, and international Jewish organizations.

Exeter Community Library and Sinking Spring Public Library are members of the Berks County Public Libraries.

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