2023-2024 MAURY & LILLIAN NOVAK DISTINGUISHED AUTHOR SERIES

After much anticipation, The Distinguished Author Series returns to the CJC! As proven by our community, this series has long been upheld as a significant source of Jewish culture and education throughout San Diego. With its return, the Distinguished Author Series once again positions itself as an extravaganza of Jewish literature with the benefit of building and sustaining community. With an incredible slate of authors in attendance, this season will offer stimulating topics, important conversations, and exciting stories from nationally and internationally recognized authors.

FULL SERIES SCHEDULE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE SEPTEMBER 1

THE MAURY & LILLIAN NOVAK DISTINGUISHED AUTHOR SERIES: The American Way: A True Story of Nazi Escape, Superman and Marilyn Monroe

Thursday, November 2, 2023 | 7:00 pm
David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre
Lawrence Family JCC

The Maury & Lillian Novak Distinguished Author Series returns with a bang! Kicking off this exciting season is Helene Stapinski and Bonnie Siegler’s The American Way, which follows two men - Jules Schulback and DC Comics publisher Harry Donenfeld on a true-life adventure exploring glamorous Hollywood, the birth of the comic book and the experiences of the Holocaust.

Price: $25 | JCC Members: $20

THE MAURY & LILLIAN NOVAK DISTINGUISHED AUTHOR SERIES: The American Way: A True Story of Nazi Escape, Superman and Marilyn Monroe Add to Cart

THE MAURY & LILLIAN NOVAK DISTINGUISHED AUTHOR SERIES: Israel 201: Your Next-Level Guide to the Magic, Mystery, and Chaos of Life in the Holy Land

Monday, December 4, 2023 | 7:00 pm
David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre
Lawrence Family JCC

The Maury & Lillian Novak Distinguished Author Series continues with Israel's most hilarious experts. In Israel 201 comedians Joel Chasnoff and Benji Lovitt take you on a journey through Israel’s unexplored cultural landscape. Going beyond the introductory “101” course, Israel 201 explores all of the fascinating, funny, heartwarming, and weird facts about the Israel you didn’t know existed.

Price: $25 | JCC Members: $20

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THE MAURY & LILLIAN NOVAK DISTINGUISHED AUTHOR SERIES: Muppets in Moscow: The Unexpected Crazy True Story of Making Sesame Street in Russia

Thursday, January 25, 2024 | 7:00 pm
David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre
Lawrence Family JCC

In this gripping tale, we join author Natasha Lance Rogoff as she details her real-life experiences on the set of Sesame Street in Russia, where she and a team of talented artists attempted to bring the Muppets to children across the former Soviet Empire. Muppets in Moscow provides a valuable exploration of Russian life amidst post-Soviet societal tensions.

Price: $25 | JCC Members: $20

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THE MAURY & LILLIAN NOVAK DISTINGUISHED AUTHOR SERIES: Naked: On Sex, Work, and Other Burlesques

Saturday, Febraury 24, 2024 | 7:00 pm
David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre
Lawrence Family JCC

Two things, amongst many, that Fancy Feast does well is serve and not hold back. In Naked we see all this and more as sex educator, burlesque dancer and social worker Fancy Feast gives us a peek behind the curtain to a world most of us have never seen. Together we will explore sex, consent, power, body positivity and more.

Price: $25 | JCC Members: $20

Naked Add to Cart

THE MAURY & LILLIAN NOVAK DISTINGUISHED AUTHOR SERIES: Becoming Eve: My Journey from Ultra-Orthodox Rabbi to Transgender Woman

Thursday, March 28, 2024 | 7:00 pm
David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre
Lawrence Family JCC

Born the first son to a dynastic Rabbinical family, Abby Chava Stein was immediately set on a path to become a religious leader in her ultra-Orthodox community. However, when she transitioned into womanhood, Stein was forced to leave the way of life she’d always known. Becoming Eve explores Stein’s incredible journey to becoming the person she was meant to be.

Price: $36 | JCC Members: $30

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THE MAURY & LILLIAN NOVAK DISTINGUISHED AUTHOR SERIES: When Your Family Says No: The Journey to Freedom, Independence, and Happiness

Thursday,April 11, 2024 | 7:00 pm
David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre
Lawrence Family JCC

Laya Martinez’s life was planned for her by her Orthodox family, one of seminary school, arranged marriage, and an expectation that she would bear as many children as possible. When Your Family Says No gives us an inside look into Martinez’s decision to follow love over tradition, demonstrates the power of choice, and the complexity of family love.

Price: $25 | JCC Members: $20

When Your Family Says No Add to Cart