Todayย’s authors at the 36th Annual Jewish Book and Arts Fair include Ariel Sabar, who reads from his book My Fatherย’s Paradise: A Sonย’s Search for his Jewish Past in Kurdish Iraq. The book traces the history of Sabarย’s family, recounting the story of Sabarย’s father, who was born in a mud hut in Zakho, a village where Jews, Muslims and Christians had coexisted peacefully for thousands of years, as well as Sabarย’s own entry into the upper echelons of American academia. It also chronicles the story of an era and a people ย— when more than 100,000 Iraqi Jews left their homeland following Israelย’s War of Independence, their ancient culture and language disappeared.

Upcoming events include ย“Jews Rock,ย” a look at rock musicย’s Jewish icons by photojournalist Janet Macoska; presentations by sportswriter Liz Robbins and former White House speechwriter Andrei Cherny; and the film The Tribe Circumcise Me by directors David Blumenfeld and Matthew Kalman. Events continue through November 16. Jewish Community Center of Houston, 5601 South Braeswood. For information and a complete schedule, call 713-729-3200 or visit www.jcchouston.org. Prices vary.

Nov. 6-16, 2008

This article appears in Nov 6-12, 2008.