West Bloomfield, MI -- (ReleaseWire) -- 10/16/2013 -- The Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit's 62nd Annual Jewish Book Fair will be held November 6-17 and will feature leading figures from the arts, entertainment, politics, business, journalism and much more, including an opening night appearance by Jeffrey Toobin, author, staff writer at The New Yorker and senior legal analyst with CNN and the closing of the two week event with an intimate conversation with celebrated entertainer and author, Michael Feinstein The Gershwins and Me: A Personal History in Twelve Songs.

The country's oldest and largest Jewish book fair, the event will include presentations at both JCC campuses, 6600 W. Maple Road in West Bloomfield and 15110 W. Ten Mile Road in Oak Park. In addition to the speakers, the Book Fair will include a comedy night with Detroit native, Mindy Raf, kids story-time, a local author program, fashion and photography with Stuart Weitzman executive, Jane Weitzman, the showing of the documentary Crime After Crime and discussion with Eileen Rochefeller on Being a Rochefeller as well as a store with more than 10,000 titles.

Among the highlights of this year's Book Fair is Patron Night, Tuesday, November 12 with Peter Max. The art world had never seen anything like Peter Max. His images of Mick Jagger, the Mona Lisa, the Statue of Liberty and George Washington were wild swirls of bold and bright color. He was the official artist for the Grammys, five Super Bowl games and the Olympics, and his work appeared everywhere from the cover of U.S. News & World Report to a Boeing 777. Peter Max's new memoir contains some of his most dazzling works of art and tells the extraordinary story of his life.

Additional speakers and events include:

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7 at 11 a.m.
Florine Mark presents...Weight Watchers 50th Anniversary Cookbook: 280 Delicious Recipes for Every Meal
Florine Mark celebrates the 50th anniversary of Weight Watchers. A celebration of food for anyone who loves to eat well – and eat smart! Florine Mark is president and CEO of The WW Group, Inc., the leading U.S. franchise holder of Weight Watchers International. The president of the JCC of Metropolitan Detroit, she is seen each week on the popular "Ask Florine" segment on Local 4 News (WDIV-Channel 4 in Detroit).

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7 at 11 a.m.
Michigan native and mother of three, Karin Jill Katz, Story time, There's a Fly in My Soup
Jill Katz will share her latest book, a short, rhyming story that teaches tolerance, manners and respect. There's a Fly in My Soup is a tale about restraint and forgiveness that eventually lead to friendship.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11 at 5:30p.m.
Eric Kahn Gale, The Bully Book
Eric Kahn Gale, an Ann Arbor native, is an actor, writer and producer. The Bully Book is his first novel and is based on incidents from his own experiences in sixth grade. That's when the school bully and his pals decide their classmate needs a new name: Eric the Grunt.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13 at 8 p.m.
Allen Salkin, From Scratch: Inside the Food Network
Big personalities, high drama: here is the extraordinary behind-the-scenes story of the Food Network, the business, media and cultural juggernaut that changed the way America thinksabout food.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14 at 10 a.m.
Eileen Rockefeller Being A Rockefeller, Becoming Myself: A Memoir
The daughter of David and Peggy Rockefeller and a great-granddaughter of John D. Rockefeller, Eileen Rockefeller understood at an early age that her name was synonymous with American royalty. She learned in childhood that wealth and fame could open any door, but as the youngest of six children and one of 22 cousins in one of the world's most famous families, she began to realize that they could not buy a sense of personal worth. Eileen Rockefeller is the founding chair of the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisers and the Growald Family Fund. She lives in Vermont with her husband.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14 at Noon
Fashion and Philanthropy Luncheon with Jane Weitzman
Art & Sole: A Spectacular Selection of More Than 150 Fantasy Art Shoes from the Stuart Weitzman Collection
When Stuart Weitzman opened its first boutique on Madison Avenue, its displays of specially commissioned fantasy shoes quickly became a destination, drawing crowds from all over the world. With its inventive and beautifully crafted footwear in a vast range of materials-from watercolor paper to playing cards, from fresh flowers to frosting-this stunning showcase where fashion and fantasy meet thrilled shoe and art lovers alike. Jane Weitzman was executive vice president of Stuart Weitzman designs and the first vice president of Stuart Weitzman retail. She spearheaded philanthropy for the company by generating funds to support breast and ovarian cancer research and awareness. Her efforts were brought to life through innovative charity events, including the Stuart Weitzman Celebrity Breast Cancer Shoe Auction, on its website.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16 8:30 p.m.
Emcee Alan Muskovitz will guarantee you will laugh.
Comedy Night with Fred Stoller, Marion Grodin and Mindy Raf!
Maybe We'll Have You Back: The Life of a Perennial TV Guest Star by Fred Stoller
Standing Up: A Memoir of a Funny (Not Always) Life by Marion Grodin
The Symptoms of My Insanity by Mindy Raf

Sunday, November 17 at 7:30 p.m.
An intimate conversation with celebrated entertainer and author, Michael Feinstein
The Gershwins and Me: A Personal History in Twelve Songs
The "Ambassador of the Great American Songbook," Michael Feinstein was just 20 when he got the chance of a lifetime: a job with his hero, Ira Gershwin. During their six-year partnership, the two became close friends. Feinstein blossomed under Gershwin's mentorship and Gershwin was reinvigorated by the younger man's zeal for his and his brother George's legacy. Now, in The Gershwins and Me, the only book of its kind, Michael Feinstein shares stories and discusses the music that defined American popular song, along with rare Gershwin memorabilia he's collected through the years.

For a complete list of authors, dates and times please visit http://bookfair.jccdet.org/ Most events are free and open to the public. Tickets and additional information is available at www.theberman.org or call the box office at (248) 661-1900. Every month The Berman Center for the Performing Arts offers audiences the finest music, theatre and entertainment performances.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

West Bloomfield, MI -- (ReleaseWire) -- 10/16/2013 -- The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Michigan region will hold ArtWorks ADL: Justice, Advocacy, & Art™ ArtWorks ADL will be held on November 17th, 2013 at the Janice Charach Gallery at the West Bloomfield JCC. The exhibition will be from 4:00-7:00 PM and the program will begin at 5:30 PM. ArtWorks is an exhibition, fundraiser, and silent auction event, highlighting the talents of nationally and locally acclaimed artists for the benefit of ADL.

ArtWorks ADL is the first annual art exhibition, fundraiser, and silent auction highlighting the mission and impact of the Anti-Defamation League. ArtWorks ADL features unique and donated artwork created by today's leading emerging and established artists. Each piece of artwork – painting, photography, mixed media, or sculpture – focuses on one or more aspects of ADL's mission, including anti-Semitism, extremism, racism, education, religious freedom, and Israel advocacy. The artwork displayed will share each artist's perspective on the mission of ADL. All artwork will be included in a silent auction where guests can bid on the work. The goal of ArtWorks ADL is to engage, empower, and educate the Detroit community about the mission and impact of ADL through art. ArtWorksADL will celebrate ADL's achievements over the last 100 years and recognize the League's critical work as the voice of justice and fairness for all who have faced injustice, hatred, or bigotry.

ArtWorks features unique artwork created by today's leading emerging artists. Each piece of artwork, painting, photography, mixed media, or sculpture focuses on one or more aspect of ADL's mission, including anti-Semitism, extremism, racism, education, religious freedom and Israel advocacy. "The artwork displayed will share each artist's perspective on the mission of ADL, said Jaimee Wine, ArtWorks ADL. "This event promises to draw diverse members in the community for an amazing evening of entertainment, culture and education."

The artist featured at ArtWorks will offer a unique artwork created by today's leading and talented artists living and working in the Metropolitan Detroit area. Signed on for ADL ArtWorks are: Tony Roko, Bowen Kline, Michael Phillips, Donna Pellagato, Cynthia Nielson, Eileen Aboulafia, Jo Strausz Rosen, Michelle Sider, Bruce Finsilver, Ron Stearn, Robert Schefman, and Deanna Sperka (artist to date). All artwork will be included in a silent auction where guests can bid on the work. There will also be an interactive art piece demonstrated by various artists during the auction.

ADL Michigan is hosting the first ArtWorks ADL Jr. an art competition for metropolitan Detroit students in grades 9-12. The goal of the competition is to get young people to think about what hate means to them and share their artist interpretation of how a world without hate would look and ways we can work together to make that interpretation a reality. First place winner will receive a day at the art studio with one of the artists. The top 3 winners will be featured at the ArtWork opening exhibition November 17, 2013 at the Janice Charach Gallery in West Bloomfield.

About The Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) was founded in 1913 to combat anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry and hate. ADL is celebrating its Centennial in 2013, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to securing justice and fair treatment for all people.

ADL ArtWorks has been generously underwritten by the Buckfire and Elconin families in memory of David Buckfire. ADL ArtWorks will be November 17th the program begins at 5:30pm. strolling cocktail party with hor d'oeuvres, wine and spirits. General admission tickets are $75.00 and for Young Professional (age 36 & under) $50.00. For additional information - http://www.adl.org/artworksmichigan

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Israelis & Palestinians Taking Peace into their Own Hands The time is now for peace discuss, debate, negotiate, listen and cooperate are all the goals of Minds of Peace.

West Bloomfield, MI -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/28/2013 -- The Minds of Peace congress held in late August demonstrates that most Israelis and Palestinians want peace. A major Israeli-Palestinian public negotiating congress with political power is an efficient instrument that helped reached this goal. A group of 20 Israelis and Palestinians convened on King George Street in Jerusalem in order to sign "The People's Peace Plan."

The initiative was spearheaded by Minds of Peace, an apolitical organization that is committed to reaching a peace treaty on the Arab-Israeli conflict.

The treaty covered all aspects of final status negotiations, including Jerusalem, the settlements and the Palestinian Right of Return. The public was invited to take part in the negotiations, and passersby were given a chance to voice their opinions. The two sides agreed that all settlement building would cease during negotiations, which should last no longer than a year.

The two sides agreed upon the following:

All settlement building would cease during negotiations, which should last no longer than a year.

Palestinian prisoners (political not criminal) would be released gradually under the supervision of a joint Palestinian-Israeli committee and would commit to giving up violence and incitement.

The borders for a Palestinian state would reflect those of 1967 but with a proviso for land swaps that would not exceed 5% of the West Bank. Land swaps will be regulated by a joint committee of Palestinian and Israeli experts.

The newly established Palestinian state would not have an army but would have armed police forces.

A security strip will be established along the border between the Palestinian State and Jordan, supervised by an Israeli, Palestinian and International "border protection unit." The border crossings between the Palestinian State and Jordan would be under Palestinian jurisdiction.

With regards to the settlements, all Israeli residents living beyond the Green Line would be given the option of either evacuating or staying under Palestinian sovereignty and the Palestinian state in return would agree to protect the rights of minorities.

The issue of Jerusalem and the Right of Return was not resolved but the two sides committed to meeting again and coming to an agreement.

Minds of Peace presented the final draft of the peace treaty to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.

The audience in Jerusalem was very active and emotional. In certain points, violence almost started. The settlers in the Israeli delegation and the dialogue between the Palestinian delegation and the audience helped to relax the situation.

The initiative demonstrates that most Israelis and Palestinians want peace. A major Israeli-Palestinian public negotiating congress with political power is an efficient instrument that could help reaching this goal.

Interview to the Israeli TV (Hebrew):
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=545831948805507&set=vb.421127807942589&type=2&theater

Pictures from the Minds of Peace Congress attached.

More information: http://www.mindsofpeace.org

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

ADL Michigan will celebrate 100 years at the Centennial Gala Celebration honoring Mark Reuss, Vice President, GM and President, GM North America. Celebrating ADL will also include: Abraham H. Foxman National Director of the Anti-Defamation League, Wednesday, October 3, 2013 - 6:00p.m., Heritage Center, Sterling Heights, MI

West Bloomfield, MI -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/22/2013 -- Dr. Martin Luther King, Anne Frank, Harvey Milk, Daniel Pearl, men and women whose lives were cut short by racism, genocide, homophobia and hate. What would they have done if they had lived? Would they have inspired legislation and fought injustice? Would they have written great works of literature or powerful works of journalism? Would they have made the world a better, more beautiful place?

The Michigan Region of the Anti-Defamation League focuses on combating anti-Semitism and bigotry of all kinds in the state of Michigan. "This work is especially relevant in Metropolitan Detroit where so many different cultures and communities live side-by-side," said Heidi Budaj, Executive Director of the Michigan ADL office. The ADL Michigan Region has chosen, Mark Reuss, Vice President, GM and President, GM North America to be the honoree of the Centennial Gala Celebration on Wednesday, October 3rd. "Mark Reuss has believed in improving the quality of the Detroit are neighborhoods and has done so in the GM Student Corps," said Budaj. The GM Student Corps manage, plan, budge and implement projects that cleanup local parks, assist at food banks and assist in life skills and career development.

ADL's initiatives in classrooms and the workplace counteract bias and bigotry in the community providing education and outreach, including pro-Israel advocacy, to the community and international visitors and this is why the past chairs and directors along with Mark Reuss are being honored at the Centennial.

ADL Michigan will celebrate 100 years at the Centennial Gala Celebration
honoring Mark Reuss, Vice President, GM and President, GM North America

Celebrating ADL will also include
Abraham H. Foxman National Director of the Anti-Defamation League
Wednesday, October 3, 2013 - 6:00p.m.
Heritage Center, Sterling Heights, MI

Also being honored October 3rd are the 22 past Michigan Chairs and Directors. A very special guest of the evening will be having, world-renowned leader, Abraham H. Foxman, National Director of the Anti-Defamation League be a part of the Centennial Gala Celebration.

Mr. Foxman regularly confers with elected officials and community leaders here and abroad. He has had consultations in Europe, Russia, Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, China, Japan, South Africa and Argentina, and with Palestinian leaders, on problems of ethnic hatred, violence, terrorism and promoting democracy. He has had six audiences with Pope John Paul II, four with Pope Benedict XVI, and recently met with the newly installed Pope Francis. Mr. Foxman appears frequently on national news programs and is quoted often in The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal. His op-eds have appeared in newspapers across the country, and he regularly blogs at The Huffington Post and The Jerusalem Post.

"We have played a leading, if not the leading role, in making it unacceptable to engage in public slurs against people because of their race, religion, ethnicity and now sexual orientation." said Foxman, "We are committed to continue the good fight, using the experience, credibility and concepts that have embodied ADL."

The ADL has adopted the Centennial theme, "Imagine A World Without Hate." Because there is still work to be accomplished and in the century to come, Imagine A World Without Hate.

Tickets and Sponsorships available by calling Michigan ADL248-353-7553

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

In Your Darkest Hour, You Can Make a Choice to Give Life Alicia and Michael Stillman had to make that choice when faced with losing their Emily

West Bloomfield, MI -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/22/2013 -- "My Emily has been through too much, don't let The Gift of Life people come talk to me, the answer is NO." Alicia Stillman said these words on Saturday, February 2, 2013 as she sat next to her lifeless 19-year-old daughter Emily.

Emily, a Kalamazoo College sophomore, had been rushed to the hospital complaining of a severe and unbearable headache. Like many parents, Alicia and Michael Stillman of West Bloomfield, had sent their daughter off to college ready to learn. As parents they had vaccinated all three of their children against harmful diseases, including meningitis. Days later, no one could have imagined she would pass away having contracted bacterial meningitis. No one knows how Emily contracted the illness and thankfully no one around her displayed symptoms. The strain contracted by Emily is not covered in the U.S. vaccination and is only covered in Europe.

As the Stillman family began their goodbyes to Emily, Alicia felt a shiver up her back and quickly realized she had made a horrible mistake. She called in The Gift of Life organization representatives into the room to explain what needed to happen in order for them to choose to donate Emily's organs. Alicia feels spiritually this was Emily giving her a message that day to help others. Emily was a sassy, funny full of life, compassionate daughter, sister and friend who was the first to help anyone and especially the underdog.

Six months has passed in the Stillman family. While Alicia and Michael have realized life around them has gotten back to normal nothing about their world will ever be the same. The family has been in the process of establishing a fund in Emily's name to provide support for meningitis research. "The vaccination should be available to anyone who needs it not just who can afford it and research has got to be sped along in this country," said Alicia Stillman. "If we can help raise awareness then hopefully no families will endure this pain." Alicia Stillman has just received training with the National Meningitis Association to speak out on how to get your children, teens and adults vaccinated. A mission she now feels is her purpose.

In addition to arming themselves with bacterial meningitis knowledge, Alicia and Michael have found a second calling to speak. That day when faced in their darkest hour Michael and Alicia gave the gift of life and now want to make others aware of how precious that message is and how that choice will change many people's lives.

Wednesday, September 18 from 11:00a.m. - 2:00p.m. at the State Capitol in Lansing, The Stillman family will have the chance along side of hundreds of transplant recipients, donor family members and patients to celebrate the miracle of donation and transplant at the DONATE LIFE CAPITOL CELEBRATION. One of the very special people standing next to the Stillman family celebrating life will be Randy Schumacher of Ubly, Michigan who received Emily's kidney.

The Stillman family has authorized The Gift of Life organization to let all those who received Emily's organs they are interested in talking with them. Both parties must agree to this exchange. At this time Alicia and Michael have heard from Schumacher and for the first time will meet him on September 18th. Emily's heart is beating with a gentleman in Ohio who will be unable to attend the event. The Stillman family has extended an invitation to meet the heart recipient this summer and plans are underway. Gift of Life has now reached out to all the donor recipients to meet the Stillman family in Lansing on September 18th. A special room at the Capitol has been designated for this meeting before the event.

The Stillman family, once a very private family now feels they must step forward and speak out on Gift of Life and bacterial meningitis.

Donate Life Capitol Celebration will take place Wednesday, September 18th 11a.m. to2:00p.m. on the State capitol steps in Lansing. For more information http://www.giftoflifemichigan.org/CapitolCelebration or contact Kim Zasa, Volunteer Coordinator and Secretary of State branch liaison 734-922-1042

To provide support for meningitis research donations can be sent to The Emily Stillman fund at Temple Shir Shalom, 3999 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield MI 48232 or by calling 248-737-8700.

For more information regarding meningitis contact the National Meningitis Association at http://www.nmaus.org/ or 866.366.3662

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm