Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Convention Corps

The 2008 Convention Planning Committee in a board room at the Marriott
Standing Left to Right: Wendy Wasman, Andi Davidson; Seated Left to Right: Jean Lettofsky, Linda Silver, Bonnie Shapiro

National Convention Chair visits Cleveland

From left to right: Fred Isaac, Wendy Wasman, Andi Davidson, Jean Lettofsky, Linda Silver, in the lobby of the Marriott


On October 10, Fred Isaac, AJL's National Convention Chair, came to Cleveland to meet with members of the Convention Corps. We discussed the plans underway for the 2008 Convention. Here are some updates:



  • Programming: Linda Silver reported that we have many confirmed programs on topics such as: Hebrew storytime; using puppets to teach tolerance; graphic novels that feature Israel; book clubs; copyright issues; Jewish music; and humor in Israeli and American picture books. We have several programs that are tentative and will be confirmed once proposals have been received. The deadline for submitting proposals for programs has been extended to December 1st. Please note Linda's new email address: silverlr@roadrunner.com
  • Contempo Cuisine will provide all of the meals and coffee breaks during the Convention; the food looks mouthwatering on the menus!

  • We have two very exciting tours planned: Sunday, June 22, 2008 - convention attendees will have the opportunity to take a tour of Jewish Cleveland on Lolly the Trolley. The tour will be from 1:00-3:00 PM and will feature new Jewish sites on the East side of Cleveland, as well as the Jewish Archives at the Western Reserve Historical Society and The Temple - Tifereth Israel's historic building in University Circle; on Monday, June 23, 2008, convention attendees can enjoy a light supper at The Temple - Tifereth Israel in Beachwood, followed by a docent-led tour of the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage, which is located just steps away from The Temple. Transportation will be provided from the Marriott to The Temple and from the Maltz Museum back to the hotel.

  • We have developed a list of local exhibitors and will be working with AJL to attract national exhibitors to our convention.

A special post-convention celebration of the 4oth anniversary of the Sydney Taylor Book Awards will be held on Wednesday, June 25, 2008. Watch this site for further details.