The Community Reads Project, sponsored by JCC’s Cattaraugus County Campus and the Olean Public Library, launches activities around its 2009-10 book selection, The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, in February.

The Community Reads Project is part of the “one book, one community” movement that has spread across the U.S. from Seattle where it originated. 

For more information on Community Reads Project activities, contact Mary Jermann at JCC, 716.376.7594.

The Kite Runner is the story of the friendship of two boys growing up in Kabul, Afghanistan during the final days of the monarchy.

The program series includes a discussion on Islam and its practice by Fr. Michael Calabria, a lecturer in the Arab and Islamic Studies program in the modern languages department at St. Bonaventure University, at 5 p.m. on February 1 in the Magnano Reception Room at JCC.

Matthew Hoh, a former State Department official and Iraq War veteran who gained national attention when he resigned from his post in Afghanistan over U.S. policy and goals, will present “Efforts at a Political Resolution: Finding a Lasting Settlement to Afghanistan’s Civil War,” from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on February 3 in Dresser Auditorium at St. Bonaventure University.

On February 8, Sam Qadri, a member of the local Muslim community and an adjunct JCC faculty member, will discuss Islam and violence. His presentation begins at 5:30 in JCC’s Cutco Theater.

Discussions of the book will be held from 2:40 to 4 p.m. on February 23 in room 308 of JCC’s Library and Liberal Arts Center and from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. on March 16 at the Olean Public Library.

The movie adaptation of the book will be shown from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. on March 11 in Cutco Theater.

Additional activities in March will be announced.