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Two Authors Present Panel on Addiction for National Recovery Month

By The Jewish Federation of Reading

Sep 25, 2020
Addiction Treatment and Resources

Wyomissing, PA – The Jewish Federation of Reading/Berks in partnership with Exeter Community Library and Sinking Spring Public Library announce two authors in the second season of Literatour Berks, a community-wide celebration with 29 events featuring authors, celebrities, and cultural influencers throughout Berks County. The public is invited to a virtual panel discussion on addiction with Dan Peres and Eilene Zimmerman moderated by Rabbi Yosef Lipsker of Caron Treatment Centers on Wednesday, September 30 at 7 p.m. on Zoom.   

Dan Peres was editor in chief of Details for fifteen years, starting in 2000, when the title relaunched under his leadership. Before taking the editorship of Details, Dan spent nine years at W magazine, overseeing bureaus in Paris,

London, and Milan. Despite his professional success little is known about his private life as a high-functioning drug addict. In his memoir “As Needed for Pain”, Peres lays bare for the first time the extent of his drug use—at one point a 60-pill-a-day habit.

Eilene Zimmerman is the author of “Smacked: A Story of White-Collar Ambition, Addiction, and Tragedy”. Zimmerman noticed that her ex-husband, Peter, looked thin, seemed distracted, and was frequently absent from activities with their children. Yet in many ways, Peter seemed to have it all: a beautiful house by the beach, expensive cars, and other luxuries that came with an affluent life. One day Eilene makes a shocking discovery, one that sets her on a journey to find out how a man she knew for nearly thirty years became a drug addict, hiding it so well that neither she nor anyone else in his life suspected what was happening. Eilene discovers that Peter led a secret life, one that started with pills and ended with opioids, cocaine, and methamphetamine.

This important panel conversation will focus on real stories of addiction and recovery as well as the stigmas associated with addiction and be moderated by Rabbi Yosef Lipsker, a consultant for Caron since 2000. Registration for this free virtual event can be found at https://readingjewishcommunity.org/home/literatour 

Signed copies of the books will be available for purchase through the Literatour Berks official book vendor, Reads & Company of Phoenixville. https://bookshop.org/shop/readsandcompany

Literatour Berks is a community program that will bring 29 authors in exciting programs from September 2020 to June 2021 to Berks County, virtually and in-person. The 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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