DUNWOODY, Ga. – The Marcus Jewish Community Center’s Book Festival has landed an international superstar to headline its virtual “In Your Living Room” winter edition –technologist, business leader and philanthropist Bill Gates.
Gates will appear via Zoom on Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 8 p.m. along with interviewer Kristen Welker, an NBC News chief correspondent, to discuss his new book, “How to Avoid a Climate Disaster: The Solutions we have and the breakthroughs we need.”
The $36 admission price includes a copy of Gates’ book, which will be shipped to ticket holders after the event by one of the MJCCA’s partners, A Cappella books. The event will be recorded for ticket holders who cannot attend the session live.
MJCCA Book Director Pam Morton said festival organizers were honored to be chosen to be one of Gates’ limited appearance locations, which the Gates’ camp calls “town halls.”
“To be able to book someone of his stature is very exciting,” Morton said. “He is such an amazing person and will be a great addition to the event.”
Gates has spent a decade investigating the causes and effects of climate change. With the help of experts in the fields of physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, political science and finance, he has focused on the steps that must be taken to stop the “planet’s slide to certain environmental disaster.”
The event is part of the National JCC Literary Consortium, which is made up of more than 80 Jewish Community Centers in North America. Advanced registration is required.
Morton said upcoming events include actress Sharon Stone on April 1, who will be discussing her book, “The Beauty of Living Twice,” CNN anchor Brooke Baldwin on April 7 and the author of “Broken in the Best Way,” Jenny Lawson, on April 13. Other authors lined up for the winter session include:
- Thursday, March 4 – Walter Isaacson, “The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race” – In conversation with Holly Firfer
- Sunday, March 7 – Mark Gerson, “The Telling: How Judaism’s Essential Book Reveals the Meaning of Life” – In conversation with Rabbi Brian Glusman
- Thursday, March 11 – Annabelle Gurwitch, “You’re Leaving When? Adventures in Downward Mobility” – In conversation with Dave Barry
- Sunday, March 21- Lisa Scottoline, “Eternal: A Novel”- In conversation with Holly Firfer
- Monday, March 22 – Tim Shriver, “The Time to Unite” – In conversation with Deepak Chopra, MD
- Thursday, March 25 – Sue Monk Kidd, “The Book of Longings: A Novel” – In conversation with Greg Changnon
- Wednesday, April 7 – Brooke Baldwin, “Huddle: How Women Unlock Their Collective Power” – In conversation with Holly Firfer
- Sunday, April 11 – Special Yom Hashoah Event featuring Rabbi Brian Glusman with Daniel Lee, “The SS Officer’s Armchair”