Popular Israeli Author Etgar Keret Opens 20th Annual Mandell JCC Jewish Book Festival Sunday, November 18, 2012

Etgar Keret, acclaimed Israeli filmmaker and author of Suddenly, A Knock on The Door, opens the 20^th Annual Mandell JCC Jewish Book Festival on Sunday, November 18, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. The year-long literary festival includes free screenings of Etgar Keret’s films on Sunday, October 28, three more signature author events, children’s events, and book club programs, announced Becky Azia and Michalee Merritt, festival co-chairs.

Keret, whose bestselling books have been published in 31 languages and 35 countries, will join David Edelstein, Hartford native and film critic for New York Magazine, in conversation on Sunday, November 18, 2012. Keret’s writing has been published in The New York Times, Le Monde, The Guardian, The Paris Review and Zoetrope. Keret wrote several feature screenplays, including Skin Deep (1996), which won First Prize at international film festivals and was awarded an Israeli Ophir film prize. Jellyfish won the coveted Camera d'Or prize for best first feature at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival 2007. Keret’s 2008 hit movie, $9.99, and Jellyfish, will be screened for free on Sunday, October 28 at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. at the Mandell JCC.

Tickets to Jewish Book Festival Signature Series events are $20 per person. Subscription price for the four part series is $75 per person. Tickets are on sale via mail, in person, fax, or online at the Mandell JCC Box Office, 860-231-6316, 860-233-0802 (fax), tickets@mandelljcc.org and at www.mandelljcc.org. Patron and sponsorship opportunities available. The Mandell JCC is located on Zachs Campus, 335 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06117. For more information, Jill Ziplow, 860-231-6339, jziplow@mandelljcc.org. For updates, follow the Mandell JCC on Facebook and Twitter.