Arts & Entertainment
Ex-Mobster Weeks Opens Book Month
The Jewish Community Center kicked off Jewish Book Month last night with the co-authors Phyllis Karas and ex-Southie mobster Kevin Weeks on their collaboration "Where's Whitey?"
Jewish Book Month at the JCC opened with a homerun.
Co-authors of “Where’s Whitey,” local author Phyllis Karas and Whitey Bulger’s longtime lieutenant Kevin Weeks, spoke Wednesday night.
“Where’s Whitey” is the third time that Karas and Weeks have collaborated.
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They worked together on “The Jewel Thief” and “Brutal” the story of Weeks’ long association with South Boston crime boss James “Whitey” Bulger.
The release of the new book has been pushed back so details of Bulger’s recent arrest in Santa Monica can be worked into the story. Bulger had been on the lam since late 1994 before a tipster led the FBI to his apartment in Santa Monica.
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“It’s been busy since the arrest, I’ve done a lot of interviews, but I’ve turned down a lot too, “ Weeks said. “We had to change the end of the book (a work of fiction) but it ended up all right, better than it did for Bulger that’s for sure.”
“I’ve pulled back a bit, the press started to bother my kids, my family,” Weeks said. “You know if it wasn’t for Whitey the (Boston) Herald would be out of business, nothing but the funny papers.”
How does Weeks, who served prison time before becoming a government informant, look at his life now, in 2011?
“I already had my golden years, that part of my life is behind me, I’m happy to just get up every day and go to work, simple things,” Weeks said. “I’m a family man now, that other life is in the past.”
Wednesday night’s event was the first of eight author showcases at the JCC.
“It certainly is an exciting way to get Jewish Book Month out of the gate," co-chairwoman Joan Finn said at a cocktail reception before the presentation by Karas and Weeks. “Phyllis has been with the JCC for so many years, we’re honored to have her here with Mr. Weeks.”
“My kids went to nursery school here, and now they’re in their forties, so yes, I’ve been a member and involved with the JCC for a long time,” Karas said.
“This is such a great way to begin Jewish Book Month,” co-chairwoman Sara Winer said. “We have such a great lineup this year, as soon as we get the schedule up people get excited and ask us who we’re going to have next year.”
The author of "The List,” Martin Fletcher, will speak on Nov. 3, at 8 p.m.
There will be a cocktail reception with Fletcher beginning at 6:30 at the JCC.
Tickets to upcoming events, and information on the authors can be found at www.jccns.org, or by calling 781-631-8330.
