Gold Coast Forum hosts author and literary events year-round to promote literacy and literary culture on Long Island. Below are the events coming up on our calendar.
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 21ST at 7PM
Midway Jewish Center, 330 South Oyster Bay Road, Syosset NY
Gold Coast Forum, sponsored by AJC Long Island, presents an evening with former AJC CEO, David Harris, in conversation with AJC Long Island Past President, Arnie Herz, as he discusses and signs his new book, On the Front Lines.
Described by the late Israeli President Shimon Peres as “the Foreign Minister of the Jewish people,” David Harris has spent nearly 50 years in global Jewish advocacy. Meeting with thousands of world leaders, he has grappled with some of the toughest challenges facing the Jewish people, Israel and liberal democracies. On the Front Lines is his gripping and very personal account, in conversation with Agnieszka Markiewicz, of a life journey that began in the home of wartime survivors, landed him in Soviet detention, and led to his becoming the most decorated Jewish professional by governments in American history.
DAVID HARRIS is a lifelong Jewish activist and led the American Jewish Committee (AJC), which has been described by the New York Times as the “dean of American Jewish organizations”, from 1990-2022. Harris has been honored more than 20 times by foreign governments for his international work, making him the most decorated American Jewish organizational leader in U.S. history. Educated at the University of Pennsylvania and London School of Economics, he has been a visiting scholar at Johns Hopkins University and Oxford University.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22ND at 7PM
Theodore’s Books, 17 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay NY
Gold Coast Forum presents an evening with teacher and debut author, J.S. Gold, as he discusses and signs the first book in his new series, The Sanhedrin Chronicles.
College student and certified nerd Arthur Rose has issues: he’s estranged from his Jewish faith, needs a recommendation for grad school, and getting back with his ex, Lynn, is going to take more than an apology and chocolate. He’s trying to balance it all when he starts seeing shapes in the dark. Soon after, a mysterious young woman approaches him, claiming she killed his father and is searching for a stone blessed by God Himself. What follows is a tale ripped from Arthur’s wildest fantasies: to protect the world from evil, he must join a secret order of Jewish demon-hunters that has spanned millennia. He’ll need to master Hebrew magic, uncover the secrets of his past, and embrace his heritage. In doing so, he won’t just reclaim his faith but become…SANHEDRIN.
J.S. GOLD is a proud son of New Rochelle, New York – go Huguenots! He’s an alumnus of S.U.N.Y. Binghamton, where he received his Bachelors in Political Science, Philosophy and Law. He continued his education at Long Island University, obtaining his Master’s in Education, and Gettysburg College, where he received a Master’s in American History. Fantasy has been a constant companion throughout his life, the cry of a Kamehameha lifting his spirits as much as Gandalf’s wisdom. By day, he teaches history to high schoolers who hopefully remember it. He lives (and jokes, and dances, and sings) with his wife, daughter, son and two cats on Long Island, New York.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 28TH at 7PM
Theodore’s Books, 17 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay NY
Gold Coast Forum presents an evening with award winning TV producer and author, Lindsay Jill Roth, in conversation with author Brenda Janowitz, as she discusses and signs her new book, Romances and Practicalities: A Love Story (Maybe Yours!) in 250 Questions.
With the pop psychology of Malcolm Gladwell and the humor of Carrie Bradshaw, Romances & Practicalities combines a charming personal love story with research-backed self-help. In an age of increasingly impersonal dating—where “ghosting” is the new norm and “situationships” abound—how do you actually get to know someone? How do you break the endless cycle of first date after first date and advance a relationship along the path to commitment? How do you know if the person to whom you’re committing is really (or really might be) “the one?”
Enter Romances & Practicalities, a set of 250 research-backed questions spread across twelve chapters—from money to children to chores to sex—designed to help you identify red flags and non-negotiables, assess compatibility with a potential or current partner, initiate tricky conversations with grace, and build a stronger, deeper relationship. This wise and witty book explores the reasons we don’t often equate romance with practicality, and reveals a surprising truth: healthy communication isn’t just vital, it’s sexy.
LINDSAY JILL ROTH is an award-winning television and live-events producer who has created and developed a wide variety of programming globally, including original content for NBC, BET, ESPN, Food Network, Billboard, The Masters, The Grammys, The TONYs, and the US Open. She is the former producer of Emmy-nominated Larry King Now and the creator and executive producer of Haylie Duff’s Real Girl’s Kitchen. She is also the author of the novel What Pretty Girls Are Made Of. Lindsay lives in New York and London with her husband and two young sons.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29TH at 7PM
Theodore’s Books, 17 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay NY
Join Rep. Steve Israel at 7:00 PM at Theodore’s Books for the launch of The Stoic Book Club, presented by the Gold Coast Forum in partnership with Theodore’s Books.
This event will delve into the ancient philosophy of stoicism and its practical relevance for building resilience in today’s fast-paced and polarized world. From the writings of Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus to their impact on military leaders, athletes, and cultural icons, stoicism provides timeless guidance for facing life’s challenges with clarity and strength.
The first Stoic Book Club meeting will center on Meditations by Marcus Aurelius.
Registration is $30 and includes a copy of the book, a glass of wine, and light snacks.
Space is limited and RSVPs are required by December 20, 2024. A wait list will be created once all spots are filled.
Don’t miss this opportunity to engage in meaningful discussion about how we can use stoicism today to help us through these divisive times!
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13TH at 7PM
Theodore’s Books, 17 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay NY
Gold Coast Forum presents an evening with Theodore’s own Congressman Steve Israel and professor and former congressional staffer Casey Burgat as they discuss We Hold These “Truths”, the book that #1 New York Times bestselling author Adam Grant calls “the crash course in civics America needs.” Moderated by journalist and author of The Fabulist Mark Chiusano, the duo will discuss the power of the president, the influence of money in politics, and other pressing issues driving today’s political debate.
Conversations about politics in America are replete with convenient falsehoods. Parroted by those who benefit from the chaos, these myths distort the public’s understanding of government—how it works, what is possible—and prevent positive change. When citizens feel frustrated and hopeless, they skip the voting booth and retreat to comfortable echo chambers.
In We Hold These “Truths,” Casey Burgat, George Washington University professor and former congressional staffer, leads a bipartisan group of the country’s foremost political experts to expose the lies fueling American political dysfunction. They debunk accepted talking points—about lobbyists, money in politics, partisanship, the Constitution, and more—and reveal how the U.S. government actually works.
CASEY BURGAT is a former congressional staffer turned politics professor at George Washington University’s Graduate School of Political Management. Respected across the aisle, Casey is a political expert, particularly on the workings of Congress. He’s a regular contributor to Barron’s, and frequently provides commentary to outlets such as CNN, The Washington Post, Fox News, Politico, and The Daily Beast. Casey is also the creator of the Substack, “Crash Course with Casey Burgat,” which highlights the importance of civics in America, and the host of the popular political podcast Mastering the Room.