Thursday, October 28, 2010

Genizah Update #25 - Books!

Genizah Update #25

BOOKS!



October 28, 2010

This past Tuesday was a long hard day for me. However, as you can see above, when I returned home weary and disheveled at about 10:15 PM, I was delighted to find awaiting my arrival several boxes of the printed copies of my book, Sacred Treasure: The Cairo Genizah. After three years or so of hard work, it was very gratifying to see my Genizah project finally come to fruition. Thanks to all of you who helped make it possible.


BOOKS AVAILABLE

The books are now available from the publisher, Amazon, and other online retailers. You get the best price from Amazon et al; I get a bigger piece of the pie if you order from the publisher, and a far bigger one if you order directly from me. See details below.

As I write this, my book is #10 on Amazon’s “Religion & Spirituality>Judaism>History of Religion” list – down from #6 earlier in the day. I’m guessing this means that two of you have ordered to book from them, and I thank you both! 


LAUNCH PARTY

As I mentioned in a previous email, Congregation Kol Ami (Woodinville, WA) is sponsoring a launch party this coming Saturday, October 30th, at 7:30 PM. The evening will include Havdalah (a brief ceremony marking the end of the Jewish Sabbath), a short reading from the book, and an opportunity to purchase your copy and have me sign it for you. The event is open to the public, and I would be delighted if you could attend. (A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Congregation Kol Ami).


ARTICLE IN REFORM JUDAISM MAGAZINE

The Winter issue of Reform Judaism Magazine will include a major feature about Expedition Genizah – my trip with Jacob to Cambridge, Cairo and New York. If you belong to a Reform Congregation in North America, you should receive your copy of the magazine on or around November 10. However, the article is now available to everyone online at http://reformjudaismmag.org/Articles/index.cfm?id=1827. And although it doesn’t appear very clearly over the internet, the cover of the magazine will include a teaser for the article – “Indiana Glickman and the Chamber of Secrets.”


Other Upcoming Events

As you can see below, my schedule is filling up rapidly. That said, I am eager to share the Genizah story with whomever is interested in hearing it, so please encourage the various groups and communities in which you are involved to consider inviting me as a speaker – synagogues, churches, universities, Kiwanis, book clubs, military brigades, foxhunts – I’ll speak wherever I can.

Date Time Venue City
1. Sat, Oct 30 7:30 PM Congregation Kol Ami Woodinville, WA
2. Sun, Oct 31 7:00 PM Cong. Kehillat Israel Lansing, MI
3. Mon, Nov 1 7:00 PM Michigan State University E. Lansing, MI
4. Tue, Nov 2 7:00 PM Elliott Bay Book Co. Seattle, WA
5. Sun Nov 14, Sun , Nov 21 10:00 AM St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church Bellevue, WA
6. Thu, Nov 18 7:00 PM Eagle Harbor Book Co. Bainbridge Island, WA
7. Thu, Dec 2 11:30 AM Oregon Board of Rabbis Portland
8. Thu, Dec 2 Noon Cong. Beth Israel Portland
9. Thu, Dec. 2 7:00 PM Powell’s Bookstore, Cedar Hill Crossing Beaverton, OR
10. Thu, Dec 9 Noon Temple Beth El Tacoma, WA
11. Sun, Jan 2 9:00 PM Pac. Assn. of Reform Rabbis (PARR) Palm Springs, CA
12. Thu, Jan 6 7:30 PM University Synagogue Irvine, CA
13. Sun, Feb 27 TBA Cong. Ahavath Beth Israel Boise, ID
14. Fri, Mar 18 Noon University District Rotary Club Seattle, WA









At the risk of sounding like the proverbial broken record, thanks again for your ongoing support and enthusiasm. I hope to see those of you who can attend at the party on Saturday night.

Shalom,

Rabbi Mark Glickman



ORDERING INFORMATION

If you would like to order the book directly from me, here is the info you’ll need:

Base Price $24.99
Shipping (If needed) $3.00
Tax (WA only) $2.15

Checks should be payable to me, and sent to:
15030 232nd Ave. NE
Woodinville, WA 98077

Thursday, October 14, 2010

October 14,2010

Hello Everybody,

I am told that printed copies of my book Sacred Treasure: The Cairo Genizah will be shipped from the printer to the publisher on or around …TOMORROW, and that they will be on bookstore shelves by the end of the month. It is exciting and gratifying to know that this long project is about to come to fruition.

In the meantime, at one point yesterday the book soared to #7 on the Amazon bestseller list – the Amazon “Religion & Spirituality>Judaism>History of Religion” bestseller list, that is. It was also #40 on their Judaism list, as well. Alas, as I type this, it has descended to #26 on the first of these lists…such are the vagaries of life in the world of letters!

Launch Party

To celebrate the publication of the book, Congregation Kol Ami in Woodinville WA is planning a launch party. It will take place:

7:30 PM, October 30th
At Congregation Kol Ami
Meeting at Bear Creek United Methodist Church
16530 Avondale Rd NE, Woodinville WA 98077

If you live in the Seattle area, or if you are able to get to the Seattle area that evening, I would be delighted if you could join us. There will be a brief Havdalah service to mark the end of the Jewish Sabbath, food, mingling, and books available for purchase and signing (I might even sign some, too.  )Please see the attached press release for more details.

Speaking Engagements:

As you can see below, my schedule is filling up quickly. If you know of a group that might be interested in having me speak, please feel free to contact me at your convenience.

Time Away

That said, Caron and I will be away on a Cruise Oct 17-24 (Sunday-Sunday). So to contact me next week you’ll either need to own a helicopter or be a very good swimmer.

As always, thank you for your ongoing enthusiasm and support.

Shalom,

Rabbi Mark Glickman



Rabbi Mark Glickman
Sacred Treasure, the Cairo Genizah
Speaking Engagements

Date Time Venue City Notes
Sun, Oct 10 10:00 AM Unitarian Universalist Church Woodinville, WA,
Sat, Oct 30 7:30 PM Congregation Kol Ami Woodinville, WA Book-Launch Party
Sun, Oct 31 7:00 PM Cong. Kehillat Israel E. Lansing, MI
Mon, Nov 1 7:00 PM Michigan State University E. Lansing, MI
Tue, Nov 2 7:00 PM Elliott Bay Book Co. Seattle, WA

Sun Nov 14, Sun, Nov 21 10:00 AM St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church Bellevue, WA
Thu, Nov 18 7:00 PM Eagle Harbor Book Co. Bainbridge Island, WA
Thu, Dec 2 11:30 AM Oregon Board of Rabbis Portland
Thu, Dec 2 Noon Cong. Beth Israel Portland
Thu, Dec. 2 7:00 PM Powell’s Bookstore, Cedar Hill Crossing Beaverton, OR
Thu, Dec 9 Noon Temple Beth El Tacoma, WA
Sun, Jan 2 9:00 PM Pac. Assn. of Reform Rabbis (PARR) Palm Springs, CA
Thu, Jan 6 7:30 PM University Synagogue Irvine, CA
Sun, Feb 27 TBA Cong. Ahavath Beth Israel Boise, ID
Fri, Mar 18 Noon University District Rotary Club Seattle, WA

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Genizah Update #23

Two Weeks Until Launch



Dear Friends,

At long last, I am delighted to announce that my book Sacred Treasure: The Cairo Genizah is about to be released. The publisher tells me that they expect to have printed copies in their warehouse on October 20th, and that the books should arrive in stores several days after that.

If you’re interested, you can preview a few chapters of the book and preorder your copies now, at http://www.jewishlights.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=GPREV&Store_Code=JL&Product_Code=978-1-58023-431-3.

Actually, even though it hasn’t been released, the book has already made it onto at least one bestseller list. Just the other day it spent at least a few hours in the #75 position on Amazon’s Religion & Spirituality>Judaism>History of Religion List. If this doesn’t mean that it’s hit the big time, I don’t know what would!

Schedule

As I mentioned in a previous update, there are several Sacred-Treasure-related events coming soon:

• Sunday, October 10 Genizah Talk at Woodinville Unitarian Universalist Church, Woodinville, WA, 10:00 AM
• Saturday, October 30 Book-Launch Party, Congregation Kol Ami (Meeting at Bear Creek United Methodist Church), Woodinville, WA [Tentative, time and details TBA…it will be in the evening]
• Sunday, October 31 Appearance at Congregation Kehillat Israel, East Lansing, MI
• Monday, November 1 Lecture at Michigan State University
• Tuesday, November 2 Reading at Elliot Bay Book Co., Seattle
• Thurs., November 18 Reading at Eagle Harbor Book Co., Bainbridge Island, WA
• Thurs., December 2 Reading at Powell’s Bookstore, Beaverton, OR (suburban Portland)
• Thursday, December 9 Genizah Talk at Temple Beth El, Tacoma WA, noon
• Sunday, February 27 Genizah Talk at Congregation Ahavath Beth Israel, Boise, ID

I am also in the process of arranging appearances at the annual conventions of:

• The Pacific Association of Reform Rabbis – January, Palm Springs
• The Central Conference of American Rabbis – March, New Orleans

Help Needed

Within the parameters of my other professional and family responsibilities, I am eager to speak about the Genizah to anyone willing to listen. Please feel free to suggest me as a speaker to synagogues, churches, universities, people you know in the media, Elk Clubs, sweat-lodges, and any other groups or individuals you think might be interested. Of course, I would be glad to send additional information to you or to whomever you suggest.


Donations

The caretakers of the Cairo Genizah manuscripts continue to need our help and support. As I have mentioned previously, I have created a fund that will support this book project and also contribute to the effort of Cambridge University and the Jewish Theological Seminary to conserve their massive Genizah collections. Please feel free to send your donations to me at 15030 232nd Ave. NE, Woodinville, WA 98077. Thank you.


As always, thank you for your ongoing support and enthusiasm for this project. I appreciate it more than words could say.

Shalom,

Rabbi Mark Glickman