Philip Roth’s 80th Celebration

Philip Roth turns 80 this month and his birth-place, Newark, as well as the area will be celebrating it with conferences, tours, films and more. See how you can help him blow out his candles.

A Roth@80 Conference held by the Philip Roth Society and the Newark Preservation & Landmark Committee on March 18-19 at the Robert Treat Hotel. The two day event includes presentations on his writings.

Photo Exhibit of Philip Roth at the Newark Public Library, Second Floor Gallery will be on exhibit from March 19 - August 31.

Two documentaries are debuting. Sunday, March 17th at 1:30 and 4pm, "Out of Newark: The Life & Work of Philip Roth" will show by the Jewish Historical Society in Whippany. The other documentary, "Philip Roth: Unmasked" debuted yesterday at the Film Forum in New York, but will be broadcast on PBS on March 29th at 9pm.

Philip Roth Tour of Newark will be hosted by the Newark Preservation & Landmark Committee on March 19th. The tour features a stop at Weequahic High School and the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart.

In case you are new to Philip Roth here are the basics: Philip Milton Roth was born in Newark, New Jersey, March 19, 1933. He grew up in the city's lower-middle-class section of Weequahic and was educated in Newark public schools. His first book was Goodbye, Columbus in 1959, portraying American Jewish life. He has since written over 30 books - many taking place in Newark. Two of his books won the National Book for Fiction, four others were finalists and many other awards (see list on Wikipedia). Four were adopted for films. For more info: http://rothsociety.org/society/roth80/