Maplewood Author To Perform at West Orange Event

Alan Paul, author of Big in China: My Unlikely Adventures Raising a Family, Playing the Blues and Becoming a Star in Beijing (Harper), which USA Today hailed as “big–hearted memoir with emotional depth,” will be the guest speaker and performer at Size Matters, the opening event of the Young Leadership Division (YLD) of Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ (Federation).

The night out for young adults will take place on Wednesday, October 17, beginning at 7 p.m. at The Loft at 350, 350 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange (part of the Wilshire Grand Hotel). The evening will include cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, dessert, a special performance by Paul and his band, Big in China, and an introduction to Federation’s supersized geographic area.

Big in China tells Paul’s moving tale about the personal reinvention he experienced after moving from New Jersey to Beijing when his wife was named the Wall Street Journal’sChina Bureau Chief. It is about raising three American children in Beijing and Paul’s unlikely journey to becoming a Chinese music star, fronting the blues band, Woodie Alan, Beijing’s 2008 Band of the Year.

Paul is also known as the Panda Dad, since his Wall Street Journal essay “Tiger Mom Meet Panda Dad” caused a stir that led to him being interviewed by Matt Lauer on the Today show. He currently lives in Maplewood with his wife, Rebecca, and their children.

YLD provides opportunities for Jews 45 and under to meet new people and network, support Israel, and involve their families in Jewish life locally and around the world through special interest groups, volunteer and leadership development opportunities, family programming, and social events.  

Registration is $50 until October 3/$75 thereafter. Kosher dietary law will be observed. Young women can supersize their Size Matters attendance with a free couvert to CHOICES, an evening of conversation with Leigh Anne Tuohy, the philanthropist made famous by Sandra Bullock in The Blind Side, on October 28.

For more information or to RSVP, visit www.jfedgmw.org/sizematters or contact Arielle Bavarsky at (973) 929-3107 or abavarsky@jfedgmw.org.