Chairs Announced for 38th Annual Jewish Book & Arts Fair

A long tradition of extraordinary men and women has brought great books and their authors to the Jewish Community Center of Houston. Leading the effort this year is Chairwoman, Patti Hanfling and her Co-chair Deborah Kaplan.

Patti Hanfling has been a preschool teacher at the Becker School at Temple Emanu El for the last 10 years and has been nominated by the Children’s Museum to be Teacher of the Year. She participates in a program that delivers meals to underprivileged children 5 years and younger. Patti has served on the Board of Directors at Jewish Family Service and currently serves on the JCC Board of Directors. Patti chaired Housing for Houston’s JCC Maccabi Games. She is on the executive board of Annie Leff Hadassah and was V.P. of Programming for two years and currently serves as V.P. of Education. She is a member of National Council of Jewish Women and is actively involved in their HIPPY program. Patti is married to Dr. Marc Hanfling, and has three children, Hallie, Matthew and Josh Muchnick for whom she proudly chaired numerous school fundraisers and carnivals.

Chairwoman Patti Hanfling and Co-chair Deborah Kaplan prepare for the 38th Annual Jewish Book & Arts Fair.

“One of my passions this year is to get teens actively involved in the Book Fair. We are incorporating a Tikun Olam project where the teens will volunteer and assist with the children’s programs on Family Day,” said Hanfling. “My goal this year is have people walk away from every author program saying ‘that was an amazing speaker.’  I have done a lot of volunteer work, but chairing the JCC Jewish Book & Arts Fair is my most wonderful experience.  I’ve had the opportunity to meet so many authors at the national conference in New York this summer; I’ve gained a new appreciation for literature.”

Deborah Kaplan is Vice President of Cosmeceuticals for PCCA. She moved back to Houston six years ago and became involved serving on the Jewish Book & Arts Fair programming committee. She served as co-chair of the programming committee the last two years.  Originally from Alexandria, Louisiana, she has served on the Board of JCC and American Jewish Committee and is chair of the JCC Marketing Committee.

“I am so pleased to be part of an event that is so well respected in Houston and nation wide. Houston's Book Fair is most desired by presenters. Authors love us and Marilyn Hassid has put us on the map,” said Kaplan.

The 38th Annual Jewish Book & Arts Fair takes place October 31 – November 14 and will feature dozens of authors, films, a live concert with the new band, The Macaroons, on Oliver Lapin Family Day, November 7, and a music residency and concert by Smadar Levi accompanied by Ori Beanstock (Esta) and her band.

The Tikun Olam project for teens was launched last year by Debbie Lapin and is being picked up this year by Teen Project Chairwoman Michelle Renfrow.

Tickets for the 38th Annual Jewish Book & Arts Fair will go on sale Sept. 1.