Tracey Grant, the vice-chair of the 35th Book Festival of the MJCCA, which runs from Nov. 1-22, said that, after growing up going to the event, she has been “beyond thrilled to be involved” as part of its inner circle.
“I’ve always loved the energy around it, so it was an easy ‘yes’ when they asked me,” Grant said. “We have so many tremendous headliners this year that people are really excited to hear from authors who are premier voices in their fields.”
Beside the top-name authors – Former first lady Dr. Jill Biden, discussing her memoir, “View from the East Wing: A Memoir” (Nov. 7) and Harry Connick Jr. with his book “Babe: Elaboratio, A Tribute to My Mother” (Nov. 14) – Grant said she is excited about many other authors who have “sparked my curiosity in ways that I would never have imagined.”
Rachel Goldberg-Polin, whose son Hersh was taken hostage during the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, penned “When We See You Again” and will appear on Nov. 2 in conversation with NBC News contributor Elizabeth Cohen to discuss her memoir of loss, advocacy, and grief.
“Rachel is such a hero to many of us,” Grant said. “I’m really looking forward to that.”
In addition, Grant said she is excited about the hands-on events that will allow attendees to use their creativity to put the writer’s wisdom to use immediately.
The list includes Amanda Kingloff, who will discuss “The Art of Jewish Joy” on Nov. 6, a hands-on guide to Jewish holiday crafting during which every guest makes and takes home a handmade charm bracelet or necklace.
Also on the schedule are Alon Shaya and June Hersh on Nov. 9, who will discuss “Memories of a Good Meal” and pair Holocaust survivor stories with the recipes behind them, and Rebekah Lowin (“A Year of Jewish Joy”) on Nov. 13, and will host a Kosher Shabbat lunch buffet catered by A Kosher Touch alongside a conversation on Jewish holiday entertaining.
Grant said she is also looking forward to the Nov. 20 session by Jenny Barker (“Flower Energy”), who will lead a flower-arranging workshop, with guests leaving with their own centerpiece.
Grant said, along with the headliners, she is interested in the authors who are hosting talks during the day, where “you can make intimate connections to them,” she said.
“Every experience allows me to expand my book world beyond what it could ever have been,” she said. “I am so grateful for that.”
The festival features a wide range of fiction, memoir, and history, all held at the MJCCA, 5342 Tilly Mill Road in Dunwoody. It concludes with Dara Horn, the author of “The Final Solution to the Jewish Question: A Love Story for the Living.”
Horn, the author of the award-winning “People Love Dead Jews” confronts the myths and lies that have spread antisemitism and offers a vision for the future.
Tickets are on sale here. To see the entire lineup of authors in our October print edition, click here.
