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 9TH at 7PM
Theodore’s Books, 17 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay NY
Gold Coast Forum in collaboration with Syosset Public Library presents an evening with author, Clay McLeod Chapman, as he discusses and signs his new book, Wake Up and Open Your Eyes.
Wake Up and Open Your Eyes follows Noah, who has been losing his formerly polite Southern parents to far-right cable news for years, so when his mother leaves him a voicemail warning him that the “Great Reawakening” is here, he assumes it’s related to one of the many conspiracy theories she believes in. But when his own phone calls go unanswered, Noah makes the long drive from his home in Brooklyn to Richmond, Virginia. There, he discovers his childhood home in shambles, a fridge full of spoiled food, and his parents locked in a terrifying trancelike state in front of the TV. Panicked, Noah attempts to snap them out of it and get them medical help. Then Noah’s mother brutally attacks him. This ambitious, searing novel from one of horror’s modern masters holds a mirror to our divided nation, and will shake readers to the core.
CLAY MCLEOD CHAPMAN writes novels, comic books, and children’s books, as well as for film and TV. He is the author of the horror novels The Remaking, Whisper Down the Lane, Ghost Eaters, and What Kind of Mother. He also cowrote Quiet Part Loud, a horror podcast produced by Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw for Spotify. Visit him at claymcleodchapman.com.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 9TH 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.
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!