THANK YOU

I have been involved with the Cherie Smith JCC Jewish Book Festival for a number of years and in a number of capacities. This is the first year I've taken on the enormous challenge of being its Director, and it is a pleasure to be part of such a prestigious Festival. This has been an exciting learning curve and I couldn't have done it without the support, care and mentoring of Reisa Smiley Schneider, former Festival Director. Reisa's vision, direction and commitment to the Festival over the past ten years, has made it what it is today - a success that brings great naches to the community, and an esteemed Festival to be proud of! On behalf of the Festival committee, the JCC and the Jewish community, I thank Reisa for her outstanding contribution and legacy.

Aside from my immense gratitude to Reisa, I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to: Julian Smith and Annette Rothstein and their families for their generous support; the wonderful JCC Board - without your essential support and commitment, this Festival would not exist; the magnificent members of the Festival committee who gave so generously of their time, consideration and dedication especially Deborah Roitberg; Rick Nelson and Eldad Goldfarb, whose support and encouragement kept me on track; Alla Elperin, graphic designer extraordinaire, for her guidance and patience, Anita Cymet for her great sales pitch and life-saving coffee; Jodi Smith, our fabulous publicist who went above and beyond, Marni Pitchford, whose 'can do' attitude made her a pleasure to work with; Mary Trentadue and Cindy Oxenbury of Book Warehouse for coming on board this year; Suzanne of Granville Island Florist for her beautiful arrangements; Patricia Powell and Maria Bianchi at the front desk for putting up with all my questions; Alexis Doctor, Daniel Pulvers and the JCC maintenance staff; Karen Corrin, Kelly Rae and Anita Brown at the Isaac Waldman library, everyone at the JCC for welcoming me so warmly, the Festival volunteers who have so generously donated their valuable time, the authors and publishers who support our Festival every year.

Thank you to all the individuals and community organizations who continue to support the Festival every year: Yosef Wosk, The Lövi Memorial Endowment Fund, The Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre, The National Council of Jewish Women, The Kirman Foundation for Yiddish Culture, The Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture, Vancouver Talmud Torah, King David High School, Congregation Schara Tzedeck, Canada Israel Committee, Jewish Family Services Agency, The Jewish National Fund of Canada, The Canadian Friends of Hebrew University, The Vancouver Downtown Jewish Community, Congregation Beth Israel.

To my darling husband, Jason and children, Jackson and Lola, their smiles and kisses make it all worthwhile.

Nicole Nozick, Festival Director