The Jewish Federation of Reading/Berks in partnership with Exeter Community Library announce the next author of the fourth season of Literatour Berks, a community-wide celebration with 8 events featuring authors, celebrities, and cultural influencers throughout Berks County. The public is invited to an event with Matthew Daub, author of Leaving Eastern Parkway on Tuesday, January 17 at 12 p.m. at the Jewish Cultural Center, 1100 Berkshire Blvd. Suite 125, Wyomissing, PA.
Matthew Daub is an artist and writer from Lenhartsville. His career as a visual artist has spanned more than four decades. His watercolor paintings and drawings have been widely exhibited at galleries and museums throughout the United States, including numerous invitational exhibitions at institutions such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The American Academy of Arts and Letters, and The National Academy of Design.
In Leaving Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn’s Hasidic community of Lubavitchers is turned upside down when family tragedy strikes and everyday life changes forever in the life of Zev Altshul. He is first placed into the care of the closed and close-knit community where he grew up, but soon realizes he can’t stay. His saving grace is handball; it’s his gift from God, and the one thing he can rely on as he is shuttled, chased, and abandoned by trusted elders, family, and friends. Even as Zev never fully escapes from the guilt of his choices, he sets course across the United States to discover where loyalty really lies and what it means. He seeks out his long-lost sister, only to find himself as unprepared for life outside the Lubavitcher community as he was unwilling to remain. Forced out of his second home, Zev plays handball to support himself in the goyische world, but obligations he doesn’t fully understand still tie him to Crown Heights and follow him to Chicago and New Mexico threatening always to return Zev to life among the Lubavitchers. Lyrical, vivid, and thoroughly engaging, this is certainly among the first novels of its kind.
The community is invited to the Jewish Cultural Center on Tuesday, January 17 at 12 p.m. for an event with Daub. After the discussion Daub will be signing copies of his book which will be on sale courtesy of Reads & Company Bookshop of Phoenixville, the official book vendor of Literatour Berks. The event is free and open to the public however reservations are required. To reserve a spot please email [email protected] or call 610-921-0624
Literatour Berks is a community program that will bring 9 authors in exciting programs from September 2022 to May 2023 to Berks County. Now in its fourth season, Literatour Berks is presented by Jewish Federation of Reading/Berks in partnership with Exeter Community 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.
The mission of Exeter Community Library is to provide an interactive, community-centered space in which to share resources that enhance the cultural, social, and intellectual lives of its diverse population. Exeter Community Library is a member of the Berks County Public Libraries.
