"I don't want a niche – I want an empire!" – Michael Wex, Globe and Mail
Do you live in Ottawa? What are you doing next Monday?
On Monday evening (23rd November) at 7.30pm Michael Wex will be appearing at the Soloway JCC in Ottawa, care of the University of Ottawa's Vered Jewish Canadian Studies Program.
This is a free event where Wex will be giving a lecture on How to Be a Mentsh (and Not a Shmuck) and there will be a book signing afterwards.
If you're in the area I hope you can make it - and tell your friends!
Michael Wex at the Toronto Jewish Book Fair 2009
This week Wex is on the road again - for the final push in the Jewish Book Council tour.
If you're in Rockland County New York, Cherry Hill New Jersey, New Haven Connecticut, Rockville Maryland or Las Vegas Nevada you can come and see Wex talk live about How to Be a Mentsh and get yourself a signed copy (or three).
Ahead of his appearance in Connecticut the New Haven Advocate interviewed Wex about the book.
Advocate: What do I have to do to be a mentsh and not a shmuck?
Michael Wex: It’s pretty much a matter of considering other people. The classic formulation is one found in the Talmud, from a rabbi named Hillel: “If there’s something you hate when somebody else does it to you, don’t do it to other people.” Why did Hillel express this negatively? Why didn’t he just say, “Treat others the way you want them to treat you,” like Jesus did? The Jewish tradition has a relentlessly realistic view of human character. There’s no idealizing of it, no, “If we all try really hard, we’re all going to turn into Eagle Scouts.” That all ties in with this idea of being a mentsh. Working with what you hate allows you to respect the other person’s preferences.
You can read the whole article by Anna Beth Keim here: "The Mentsh Maker". To keep up with Wex's appearances across the US and Canada go to our Events page.
This coming Tuesday Wex will be launching How to Be a Mentsh (and Not a Shmuck) in New York.
At 6.30pm at the Workmen's Circle on Tuesday 27th October Michael will be giving a talk on his new book and signing copies.
This is the US launch of Mentsh and is one of only a handful of appearances he will be making in the States before Christmas.
If you're anywhere near the city please come and say hello. This is Wex's only visit to New York this season - don't miss him!
Michael Wex explains how not to be a shmuck
Last night saw the Canadian launch party of How to Be a Mentsh (and Not a Shmuck) at the Gladstone Hotel in Toronto. (more...)
Michael Wex at the Eleanor London Cote St. Luc Public Library in Montreal
Wex's Canadian tour for How to Be a Mentsh (and Not a Shmuck) is going well. (more...)
