August 4, 2015 Greetings! Faith Ed is now just exactly two weeks away from publication. And the momentum is building, most recently with the airing of a podcast based on a chapter titled, “The Church Lady.” Trey Kay, a veteran radio broadcaster, came to my home months ago to interview me for a podcast he also called The Church Lady – after my chapter about my experiences in rural Ohio in the 1970s and ’80s. I was the new kid in school, and a woman came into my fourth-grade classroom and taught us about Christianity. It turned out that I was the only Jew other than my brothers, and rather than spoil the rest of the story, I’ll refer you to the podcast itself at this link. Photo from my travels: Speaking of the Church Lady, I returned to Ohio to research my book. Here’s a glimpse at the flannel board still used in those Christianity classes – but now taught during the school day outside of the classroom in northwest Ohio, rather than inside it. 
Also featured in the podcast is author Jonathan Zimmerman. He wrote a bit about Weekday Religious Education in his book, Whose America? Culture Wars in the Public Schools. My public elementary school had weekly religious classes inside the classroom in the 1970s, about 30 years after it was ruled unconstitutional. Trey Kay provokes debate with the podcast, using my story to lead and close the narrative. Other News: Keep an eye out for the Boston Globe Magazine this upcoming Sunday (Aug. 9). My story on a small town’s fight against anti-Semitism is slated to be the featured piece. It stems from my prologue in Faith Ed. It may appear online as early as Thursday of this week. Events: I ran the list the last time, but here it is again in case you haven’t marked your calendars yet. Hope to see many of you in the weeks, months to come. August 18: The launch of Faith Ed, Teaching About Religion In An Age of Intolerance, 7 p.m., at Porter Square Books in Cambridge. August 25: Reading as part of author summer series at Tewksbury Public Library. 7 p.m. September 5: Decatur Book Festival, Decatur, GA. 12:30 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. (Check Decatur Book Fest program for venue as date nears.) September 10: Reading, followed by Q-and-A with author Katherine Stewart, Newtonville Books, Newton, MA. 7 p.m. September 17: Reading, followed by panel discussion with interfaith clergy, at Lexington Community Center, Marrett Road, Lexington. Sponsored by Cary Library of Lexington. 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. September 27: Reading, Book Ends in Winchester, Winchester, MA, 2 p.m. October 21: Talk at Hebrew High, for Worcester Jewish Community Center, 7 p.m. (More Details to Come) November 4: Talk at Merrimack College as part of Community Engagement Speaker Series. Andover, MA. 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Cascia Hall. November 10: Lecture, with Q&A, Boston College, co-sponsored by School of Education and the Boisi Center for Religion & Public Life. At the Lynch School of Education, Boston College, Chestnut Hill. 5:30 p.m. Thanks as always, for reading! Linda
