Jewish Book and Arts Festival

The Festival is one of the city's leading cultural and literary events, attracting a large and varied audience of all ages and is recognized as one of the largest Jewish Book and Arts Festivals in the nation!

We are pleased and honored to welcome everyone to the 52nd Annual Ann and Stephen Kaufman Jewish Book and Arts Festival. From start to finish, the 2024 lineup is a celebration of the Jewish experience and our collective and positive impact on our world.

Schedule of Events:

10:00 am - 11:30 am: Oliver Lapin Family Day: Friendship, Belonging, and Celebrating Who You Are

Oliver Lapin Family Day: Friendship, Belonging, and Celebrating Who You Are

This Oliver Lapin Family Day, join us as we explore a collection of stories that teaches children how determination, kindness, and teamwork can change the world. In The Perfect Match, Althea Gibson and Angela Buxton's story shows how friendship and standing up together can help break down barriers. Ryan Lavarnway's Baseball and Belonging highlights a journey that reminds kids that finding where you belong is a special adventure, and that sports can be about more than winning-it's about being part of something bigger. And in Challah for Shabbat Tonight, Sarah Holly Ackerman describes a magical Shabbat adventure where children learn to celebrate traditions, family love, and the joy in everyday moments. Through these stories, kids are inspired to embrace who they are and always help others along the way.
Ryan Lavernway

Baseball And Belonging

Growing Up In An Interfaith Family, Ryan Lavarnway Never Felt A Connection To Judaism Or Any Other Religion. Even Older, As A Major League Baseball Player, He Searched For A Sense Of Belonging. Ultimately, One Call Changed His Life. Children Will Delight In Hearing Lavarnway's Story About His Life In The Major Leagues And His Time Playing For Israel In The World Baseball Classic, As Well As For Team Israel In The Olympics. Through His Story, Children Will Find That Baseball Has A Lot More Depth Than Just The Equipment Used To Play The Game.

Wear Your Favorite Little League Or Baseball Jersey And Don't Forget Your Mitt-- Because After We Hear Ryan's Book, Join Him In A Group Game Of Wiffle Ball!   

Sara Holly Ackerman, Alona Millgram

Challah For Shabbat Tonight

Join In On A Shabbat Adventure As A Little Girl And Her Grandmother Spend Friday Afternoon Preparing For The Week's End. Children Will Delight In Little Wonders Like Celebrating Jewish Joy, Family Love And The Magic Of Shabbat. Sarah Holly Ackerman's Lovely Rhyming Text Along With Alona Millgram's Whimsical Art Draw Readers Into The Action As They Make Challah For Shabbat. Don't Forget To Let The Dough Rise Twice!

Upgrade Your Shabbat Table By Tie Dying And Decorating Your Very Own Challah Cover. Plus, Every Child Will Have The Chance To Braid Their Own Dough And Bake At Home.

Lori Dubbin

Perfect Match: The Story Of Althea Gibson And Angela Buxton

How Do You Rewrite The Rules Of The Game And Simultaneously Inspire Others? By Grit, Determination And Friendship. Althea Gibson And Angela Buxton Found Themselves Barred From Tennis Courts, Not For Lack Of Skill, But For The Color Of One's Skin And The Other's Jewish Heritage. They Knew That The Only One Way To Fight This Was Together. Although Written For Children, This Book Speaks To All Ages. Witness First-Hand How These Women Fought Prejudice And Forged A Friendship That Has Forever Changed Tennis And Inspired Generations.

Join Us To Hear This Unique Story, Test Your Skills With A Digital Matching Game, Challenge Your Friends And Family To A Friendly Game Of Pickleball, And Make Your Own Perfect Match Bracelet!

11:00 am - 1:00 pm: Micah Siva  - Nosh: Plant Forward Recipes Celebrating Modern Jewish Cuisine

Dietitian, Food Expert And Culinary Influencer Micah Siva Invites Readers Of Her New Book To Savor A Vibrant Collection Of Plant-Forward Dishes That Reimagine Jewish Culinary Traditions. From Hearty Mains To Inventive Sides And Desserts, Each Recipe Reflects A Delicious Fusion Of Heritage And Innovation. Siva's Approach Honors The Richness Of Jewish Cuisine While Also Embracing Sustainable Eating Practices. With Engaging Anecdotes And Practical Tips, Nosh Inspires Both Novice And Seasoned Cooks To Explore The Intersection Of Tradition, Health And Flavor In The Kitchen.

3:30 pm: Daniel Schulman

The Money Kings: The Epic Story Of The Jewish Immigrants Who Transformed Wall Street And Shaped Modern america
In Conversation With Bobby Lapin

Daniel Schulman's Latest Book Offers An Enthralling Exploration Into The Lives Of Jewish Financiers Who Wielded Immense Power And Influence To Shape Modern Finance. Through Meticulously Researched Narratives, Schulman Reveals The ambitions, Rivalries And Strategies Of These "Money Kings," Highlighting Their Unique Contributions To The Financial World. The Book Researches Their Jewish Heritage, Examining How Their Cultural And Historical Backgrounds As Immigrants Influenced Their Approaches To Business And Innovation. This Gripping Account Traces Their Rise To Dominance And Demonstrates The Far-Reaching Consequences Of Their Financial Maneuvers.

7:00 pm: Opening Night  - Noa Tishby

Uncomfortable Conversations With A Jew

Noa Tishby Is A Two-Time New York Times Bestselling Author And Israel's Former Special Envoy For Combating Antisemitism And Delegitimization. In Her First Book, Tishby Introduced Readers To The State Of Israel And Its Complicated History. In Her Latest Work, She And The Former Professional Football Player And Sports Analyst Emmanuel Acho Delve Into What It Means To Be Jewish Today. A Tel Aviv Native, Tishby Has Been A Leader In Pro-Israel Activism For Over A Decade And Is among The Best Known Pro-Israel Figures On Social Media.