The Jewish Federation of the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys’ annual Jewish Book Festival is celebrating its 13th year with 13 Jewish literary events.
The festival, held during Jewish Book Month in November, runs Oct. 29 through Dec. 4. Featured speakers include Stephen Fried (Oct. 29), author of “Appetite for America”; Lakers’ photographer Andrew Bernstein (Oct. 30); Los Angeles Times columnist Michael Hiltzik (Nov. 30); and “Killing Me Softly” composer Charles Fox (Dec. 3).
In addition, the festival is co-sponsoring a talk at the University of La Verne on Nov. 9 with award-winning author and historian Deborah Lipstadt, who will discuss her latest work, “The Eichmann Trial.”
After attending a Jewish Book Council convention in New York this spring to scope out authors, Federation Associate Director Marilyn Weintraub, book festival co-chair Myra Weiss and other members of the festival committee say they have created the most varied list of authors yet.
“What I like is that it opens my eyes to reading books I wouldn’t normally read, and I think that’s what’s so special about the books festival — that it lets you get exposure to books and authors on subject matters you wouldn’t necessarily gravitate to usually,” Weintraub said.
Most of the events will be held at San Gabriel and Pomona valley synagogues and — for the first time — at the Federation itself, which Weiss said makes the festival accessible to all members of the community.
For a list of event dates, times and prices, visit jewishsgpv.org.
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