JBC is thrilled to welcome Marc Rothstein as our first ever COO. We chatted with Rothstein about the Jewish books that have inspired him over the years and his passion for Jewish Book Council’s mission.
JBC Staff: Can you speak a bit about your career/professional background and where Jewish books and authors have had an influence on your work?
Marc Rothstein: After graduating from the University of Connecticut I embarked on a thirty-year career in finance. I served on my synagogue board at Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple in New Brunswick (a JBC Network member site) for twelve years, including a term as president. In 2014, I combined my passion and profession and transitioned to a career as an Executive Director at a synagogue. Over the past decade I served in this capacity at Temple Emanuel in Cherry Hill, NJ, and for the last six years, at Temple B’nai Jeshurun in Short Hills, NJ (another JBC Network member site). The book that had the greatest impact during my synagogue leadership was Relational Judaism by Ron Wolfson. It taught me the importance of making the synagogue a place of engagement and connection to help ensure a long-lasting relationship with members. It made me realize that the focus of everything we do as Jewish leaders is to find ways to engage and build relationships. JBC plays a critical role in this— engaging and building relationships through Jewish literature.
JBC Staff: Can you speak on when you first learned about Jewish Book Council and our work? What excited you about our mission?
MR: I first learned about JBC, in 2012 when I was president of my synagogue. I walked into my rabbi’s office for our weekly meeting. I saw two tables piled high with books. What is this, I asked. These are books from the Jewish Book Council, grab one (or more) read the book(s) and let me know if we should bring the author in to speak.
We are the “people of the book” and JBC focuses on that with its mission to promote the reading, writing, and publishing of Jewish literature. I am excited that JBC engages Jewish communities in important and timely conversations about books and learning from the authors themselves. Jewish communities are longing for ways to engage with each other, and JBC provides multiple opportunities to do just that across all ages and demographics over the common love of Jewish literature.
JBC Staff: Can you share some of your favorite Jewish books or authors?
MR: Leon Uris (QB VII and Exodus, in particular), Daniel Silva, Harlan Coben (how could you not root for a Jewish Basketball player?), Philip Roth, The Book Thief, All Other Nights, Sarah’s Key, The Marathon Man, and The Boys from Brazil.
JBC Staff: Do you lean towards any particular genre?
MR: I lean toward fiction, especially historical fiction
JBC Staff: Do you prefer E‑Readers or physical books?
MR: I prefer E‑Readers (less bulky to take on vacation) but since I now have almost three hundred books from the JBC Network, I will be switching to physical books!
JBC Staff: Is there any book that has left a major mark on your life, or shaped you significantly?
MR: I always loved history as a student, and the first Jewish themed book I remember reading is QB VII by Leon Uris. I remember being consumed by the book. This book spurred my love of Jewish themed historical fiction. To me, using real events as the backdrop of a novel makes the story more gripping, relevant, and provides context. As Jews, much of who we are is grounded in our history. I like reading books that provide that grounding which allows me to see my ancestors (and sometime myself) in the actual story telling.
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