LITTLE ROCK — Author Charles London will speak at Congregation Etz Chaim in Bentonville at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 6.
London is the author of “Far From Zion: In Search of a Global Jewish Community.” The 2009 book was a NationalJewish Book Award fi nalist.
The book explores the modern Jewish Diaspora - the community of Jews who liveoutside of Israel - in someunexpected places, including Burma, Tehran, Cuba, New Orleans and Northwest Arkansas.
In Bentonville, the author witnessed a public Hanukkah candle-lighting, attended a Hanukkah party at a bowling alley and worshipped at Congregation Etz Chaim.London also visited with the Jewish community in Little Rock.
In Arkansas, he writes, “I’d seen the transformative power of building a community” and had begun to see “what kind of Jew I might want to be.”
He will speak in Bentonville and Little Rock to promote therecent paperback release of his book. He’ll discuss his experiences with Jewish communities around the world.
The Northwest Arkansas event is sponsored by Congregation Etz Chaim and the Jewish Federation of Arkansas. It is part of the Southern States Jewish Literary Seriessponsored by the Goldring/ Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life.
The presentation is free and open to the public. To reserve a seat, contact Betsy Rosen at [email protected] or 366-6141. Congregation Etz Chaim is located at 2406 E. Central Ave. in Bentonville.
Religion, Pages 14 on 10/23/2010