Robert Egger at the Ann Katz Festival of Books

While advances in the cures for cancer, AIDS and heart disease dominate the news, according to the World Health Organization the greatest risk to health is hunger. What are we doing in Indianapolis to help eliminate this worldwide problem that exists within our own community?

Second Helpings community kitchen, modeled after the revolutionary DC Central Kitchen operation developed by Robert Egger, is one of Indy’s answers. The JCC and Second Helpings proudly welcome Egger, an unconventional thinker and a leading proponent for change, to the Arthur M. Glick JCC on Sunday, November 7 at 1 p.m., as part of the Ann Katz Festival of Books. Egger is edgy, entertaining and motivational. He’s always a crowd-pleaser despite the gravity of his subject matter.

Egger and the afternoon’s other speakers will focus on how to think globally but act locally to relieve hunger and poverty in our community. Speakers include Cindy Hubert, Chief Executive Officer of Second Helpings, who will challenge the audience about what they think they know about hunger, and Rabbi Aaron Spiegel, Campus Rabbi for Butler University, who will offer a Jewish perspective on this universal problem. The program will include short films and an open discussion to inspire change.

This program is part of the Spirit & Place Festival, Food for Thought. Attendees are asked to bring a canned tomato product as a donation to Second Helpings.

This event is sponsored by Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation and co-sponsored by Indiana Living Green magazine.

For eleven years the JCC has redefined the nature of a book festival with its broad cultural offerings at the annual Ann Katz Festival of Books. Think of the festival as an appeal to all senses with programs that include food, music, current events, social action, films, art, humor and books, of course. The 12th annual Ann Katz Festival of Books, November 2-17, at the Arthur M. Glick JCC, 6701 Hoover Road in Indianapolis, offers entertainment and enrichment for people of all ages and interests.

The JCC is honored to announce Michael Feinstein as Mickey Maurer’s next guest at the JCC’s award-winning talk show, Mickey’s Corner on Thursday, November 11 at 7 p.m. Five-time nominated Grammy Award singer, pianist and song-writer Michael Feinstein may be world-renowned for being “The Ambassador of the Great American Songbook,” but locally he is embraced as the Artistic Director for The Palladium, the new Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. Feinstein will perform throughout the interview-format talk show. Audience members will be invited to submit questions for the performing artist. As in all previous Mickey’s Corner shows, Mickey will include rare video footage and photographs relevant to his discussion with his guest. This event will likely be a sell-out. Tickets are available at www.JCCindy.org or at the JCC: $25 general admission, $15 for JCC members.

Major sponsors for this year’s Ann Katz Festival of Books include: a generous contribution made by Irwin Katz in loving memory of his wife, Ann; Lilly Endowment, Inc., Indiana Arts Commission, Indianapolis Marion County Public Library, Cohen Garelick & Glazier and The Uniform House.

Most events are $5 /$3 for JCC members. A festival Fast Pass for access to all events (including Mickey’s Corner with Michael Feinstein) is available for $50 general public / $40 JCC members.

Following is the festival schedule for 2010:

Screening – “Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg” Tues., November 2, 7 p.m.
Yoo, hoo! Did you know this Jewish woman was the inspiration for “I Love Lucy”? Meet Mrs. Goldberg in this documentary about Gertrude Berg and the making of the show from the 40s and 50s that featured America’s favorite neighbor, first on radio and then as a television pioneer. Mrs. Goldberg is a true cultural icon! Sponsored by Fifth Third Bank.

Daniel Asa Rose – “Larry’s Kidney: Being the True Story of How I Found Myself in China with My Black Sheep Cousin and His Mail-Order Bride, Skirting the Law to Get Him A Transplant—And Save His Life” Wed., November 3, 7 p.m.
Travel to China with Daniel Asa Rose and his black sheep cousin, Larry, in pursuit of a black market kidney. You’ll find a wacky cast of characters surrounding the two men throughout their adventure, including Larry’s questionable mail-order bride, in this funny and bizarre work of non-fiction. Indeed, truth can be stranger than fiction! Co-sponsored by Katz & Korin.

Annabelle Gurwitch & Jeff Kahn – “You Say Tomato, I Say Shut Up: A Love Story” Sat., November 6, 7 p.m.
Sometimes all it takes to preserve a marriage is a little love peppered with humor and washed down with a healthy dose of Pinot Noir. This comedic couple relay hysterically funny as well as emotionally poignant stories about the trials and tribulations of relationships and childrearing. Many a truth lies inside the humor, making this book a must-read for anybody wanting to be or already in a relationship. Co-sponsored by Shaarey Tefilla Sisterhood.

Nourishing Our Neighbors with Robert Egger Food for Thought (A Spirit & Place Festival event) Sun., November 7, 1 p.m.
One man, one loud voice for change. Robert Egger is brilliant, entertaining and one of our country’s leading proponents for change. Indy’s own Second Helpings is modeled after Egger’s revolutionary DC Central Kitchen operation. This interactive event in partnership with Second Helpings features keynote speaker Robert Egger and other informed speakers, short films and open discussion to inspire change within our own community. Sponsored by Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation and co-sponsored by Indiana Living Green magazine.

Carey Goldberg – “Three Wishes: The True Story of Good Friends, Crushing Heartbreak, and Astonishing Luck on Our Way to Love and Motherhood” Mon., November 8, 7 p.m.
Think of “Three Wishes” as a true story about three women and a sperm. It is also a funny and heart-warming story of friendship, love, heartbreak, luck and babies…all while the clock is ticking. What more could you ask for?

Storytime with Bubbe & Zayde Tues., November 9, Noon
An intergenerational lunchtime story hour for children, their grandparents and parents. Co-sponsored by the Albert and Sara Reuben Senior Resource Center, Mother’s Circle and PJ Library.

Clara Silverstein – “A White House Garden Cookbook: Healthy Ideas from the First Family to Your Family” Wed., November 10, 7 p.m.
Eeeeewwww, spinach! How do you get your kids to eat their greens? Clara Silverstein makes food an adventure, a story rich in history and just plain fun for the entire family. First Lady Michelle Obama and the White House garden have gotten to the root of the matter through community gardens that are inspiring children and providing nourishment from soil to tables nationwide.

Mickey’s Corner featuring Singer and Pianist Michael Feinstein Thurs., November 11, 7 pm $25 general public / $15 JCC members
Award-winning Michael Feinstein is Mickey Maurer’s next guest at the JCC’s talk show, Mickey’s Corner. This will be an entertaining and informative evening of conversation, film clips and performances. Sponsored by Katz, Sapper & Miller.

Screening – “The First Basket” Sat., November 13, 7 p.m.
The first NBA basket was shot by the least likely player in the game. Find out who he was and how his remarkable story influenced the NBA games we watch today. This award-winning documentary features interviews with basketball legends Red Auerbach, Red Holzman and many others. Sponsored by Fifth Third Bank. Co-sponsored by Todd and Marlo Katz.

Rabbi Jill Jacobs – “There Shall Be No Needy: Pursuing Social Justice through Jewish Law and Tradition” Sun. November 14, 7 p.m.
Rabbi Jacobs confronts the most pressing issues of 21st century America, including the economy, poverty, housing and health care, by bringing classical Jewish sources into dialogue with contemporary policy debates and the stories of real-life working people. David Craig, IUPUI Associate Professor of Religious Studies with a focus on ethics and religious values in health care reform, will moderate a timely and relevant discussion with Rabbi Jacobs. Sponsored by Congregation Beth-el Zedeck.

Kai Bird – “Crossing Mandelbaum Gate: Coming of Age Between the Arabs and Israelis, 1956–1978” Mon., November 15, 7 p.m.
Pulitzer Prize-winning Kai Bird knows all too well the “dangers and seductions of the Middle East.” This American, born in Oregon and raised in the Middle East among Israelis, Jordanians, Saudi Arabians, Lebanese and Egyptians, offers empathetic insights into the lives and perceptions he experienced on both sides of Mandelbaum Gate, the only passageway permitted between Jews and Arabs in Jerusalem.

Judith Martin – “Miss Manner’s Guide to a Surprisingly Dignified Wedding” Tues., November 16, 6 p.m.
Is it possible to create a tasteful and affordable wedding? Judith Martin, the woman you know as Miss Manners, shows how tasteful doesn’t have to mean expensive. Her new book is a Q&A on how to craft the perfect and memorable wedding without breaking the bank and exhausting yourself and your family.

Chuck Sambuchino – “2011 Guide to Literary Agents” Wed., November 17, 7 p.m.
Have a great idea for a book? How do you take it from idea to published and ultimately to the marketplace? Chuck Sambuchino, (guidetoliteraryagents.com/blog) is a humor book writer, produced playwright, magazine freelancer, former journalist. Learn the tips and ins-and-outs of the publishing business from this expert, plus hear from five local authors who have fulfilled their publishing dreams. Sponsored by the Saturday Evening Post.

Denis Ryan Kelly, Jr. – “Holy Lands, Journeys of a Pilgrim Artist”
Photography from four continents of the world seeking out people of prayer and places of holiness. Exhibit: October 26-December 19
Opening Reception, free and open to the public Wed, October 27, 5:30-7:30 pm Meet the artist and join us for refreshments.