Award winning author Chaim Potok will deliver a speech, "A Writer in Two Cultures," at 8 tonight at the Jewish Community Center, 620 E. Hamilton Ave.

Potok, who wrote The Chosen, My Name is Asher Lev, The Book of Lights and Davita's Harp, bases his novels on American Orthodox Jews living in a Christian world. The family, synagogue and surrounding neighborhood serve as the environment for his books' action.

"Chaim Potok is one of the premiere Jewish novelists of our generation," said Rabbi Seth Mandell, director of Hillel. "The opportunity for students and faculty to listen and meet him can be invaluable for increasing an awareness of the diversity of Jewish issues."

Mandell said Potok's clear, descriptive style enables those unfamiliar with Judaism to gain an understanding of the ancient religion and its people. He said Potok's portrait of a Hasidic wedding in The Chosen, enables readers to comprehend Orthodox Jews' extravagant celebration of matrimony. Hasidic weddings are often followed by rowdy group dances and acrobatic stunts.

Lutheran Campus Ministry Pastor Michael Kincheloe said it is important for Jews, Catholics and Muslims to share their religious beliefs.

"As a Gentile I believe (Potok) has given me a glimpse into the Jewish world," Lutheran Campus Ministry Pastor Michael Kincheloe said.

Daniel Walden, professor of American studies, English and comparative literature, is responsible for bringing the writer to the University. Walden, who has reviewed Potok's books for the Philadelphia Inquirer, said that besides exploring the troubles that religious Jews face in a secular culture, Potok also explains the rifts which exist among traditional worshippers.

Javier Zighelboim (sophomore-health policy administration) said that Potok's writing style is both informative and entertaining. Full of flashbacks, the author's fiction encourages readers to analyze themselves and to deal with their lifestyles within the boundaries of society, Zighelboim said.

Potok will lecture at 12:30 p.m. in 305 HUB on "A Multicultural Modernist: Exploring a Contradiction." At 3:30 p.m. in the Rare Books Room at Pattee Library, he will hold an open discussion with graduate students. At 8 p.m. in Schwab Auditorium, Potok will deliver a lecture titled "In Quest of Asher Lev."

Hillel is sponsoring a reception with the author in the Donovan Room at the HUB after Wednesday night's lecture. For reservations, contact the Hillel office.