The Jewish Federation of Greater Naples announces the 8th Annual Jewish Book Festival from Nov. 1 to March 22, 2023 with 16 authors and 14 events in person and virtually. A virtual preview event is planned Thursday, Sept. 29 at 2 p.m.
The festival is designed to highlight books about Jewish subjects or written by Jewish authors and is held locally in cooperation with the Jewish Book Council, the longest-running organization devoted exclusively to the support and celebration of Jewish literature. The festival is the culmination of months of work by the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples book festival committee.
In April and May, the committee is sent books from the Jewish Book Council by more than 250 authors. The committee discusses and ranks potential authors after reading a minimum of 30 pages at the beginning, middle and end of each book considered. Then in May, an Author Review Team participates in a three-day selection process lasting about 10 hours each day. Authors offered through the Jewish Book Council each give a 2-minute presentation virtually. The books selected for the local festival cover a variety of genres and topics.
“Each committee member knows to look for interesting, entertaining and informative material that they feel our members would appreciate,” said Gayle Dorio, book festival chair for the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples. “The Book Festival is an extensive undertaking each year, requiring time and talent from a variety of people.”
Books in the festival include a discussion with each author and include:
- “Coco at the Ritz,” by Gioia Diliberto, Tues. Nov. 1, 1 p.m., virtual
- “Objects of Love and Regret: A Brooklyn Story,” by Richard Rabinowitz, Thurs. Nov. 17, 2 p.m., virtual
- “By the Grace of the Game,” by Daniel Grunfeld, Weds. Nov. 30, noon, virtual
- “The Letters Project: A Daughter’s Journey,” by Eleanor Reissa, Mon. Dec. 5, 7 p.m., virtual and in person at Beth Tikvah (mask policy), $25
- “Big Time,” by Jen Spyra, Thurs. Dec. 15, 7 p.m., virtual
- “Bagels, Schmears, and a Nice Piece of Fish: A Whole Bunch of Recipes to Make at Home,” by Cathy Barrow, Weds. Jan. 4, noon brunch, virtual and in person at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center, $36
- “Overture of Hope,” by Isabel Vincent, Thurs. Jan. 12, 2 p.m., virtual
- “Maybe It’s Me,” by Eileen Kathy Pollack, Fri. Jan. 20, 10 a.m., virtual
- “And How are the Children?” by Marjorie Margolies, Weds. Feb. 1, 2 p.m., virtual and in person at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center, $25
- “The Thread Collectors,” by Shaunna Edwards and Alyson Richman, Tues. Feb. 14, 2 p.m., virtual and in person at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center, $25
- “Rebel Daughter,” by Lori Banov Kaufmann, Tues. Feb. 28, 2 p.m., virtual
- “Salt in My Soul,” by Mallory Smith, Fri. March 3, 1 p.m., virtual
- “Fake,” by Erica Katz, Tues. March 14, 2 p.m., virtual
- “More After the Break: A Reporter Returns to Ten Unforgettable News Stories,” by Jen Maxfield, and “Ticking Clock: Behind the Scenes at 60 Minutes,” by Ira Rosen, Weds, March 22, 2 p.m., virtual and in person at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center, $25
Tickets for virtual events are $18 per household, unless otherwise indicated. Ticket prices for events that are both in person and virtual are for single in-person ticket or household virtual ticket. In-person events are at the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center, 4270 Pine Ridge Road, Naples.
Festival patron opportunities are still available for $118, $225 and $500 per person and can include benefits such as pre-registration admission for each event, and preferred seating at in-person events.
Books can be purchased at Barnes & Noble or Amazon. To register for events or purchase books, visit www.JewishBookFestival.org. Zoom links for virtual events will be emailed to registered participants one to two hours before each event.
About Jewish Federation of Greater Naples
The Jewish Federation of Greater Naples is the thread that runs through the fabric of the Jewish Community, its organizations and services, connecting us all. The Federation supports programs for Jewish people and the entire community in need in the greater Naples area, Israel and throughout the world, providing food for the hungry and counseling for the troubled, supporting rescue and relief efforts for isolated Jews in distressed regions, and funding innovative Jewish educational and unity initiatives. The Federation creates a sense of community for thousands of Jewish residents in Greater Naples and its surrounding areas by creating and supporting programs to further Jewish learning, identity, pride and culture. Federation meets the challenge of providing for the needs of our Jewish brethren, wherever they may be, from young children and families to seniors. For information, visit www.jewishnaples.org, call 239-263-4205 or email info@jewishnaples.org.