MJCCA’S BOOK FESTIVAL MARKS 35 YEARS OF BRINGING READERS AND AUTHORS TOGETHER.
Every November, the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta draws thousands of readers for one of the region’s largest literary gatherings. This year, the MJCCA Book Festival celebrates its 35th edition, running Nov. 1-22, with a lineup organizers say reflects both the festival’s growth and its staying power.
“The festival offers something we all need: a place to gather, learn, share ideas and be reminded that we are part of a vibrant, resilient community,” Co-chair Staci Libowsky says. The festival now draws more than 15,000 attendees annually and has become, in the words of Co-chair Debbie Kurzweil, “One of the premier literary events in the Southeast.”
Kurzweil credits the growth to an expanding roster of bestselling authors and the backing of patrons, sponsors and Pacesetter donors. This year’s headliners include Rachel Goldberg-Polin discussing When We See You Again and OB-GYN and menopause educator Dr. Mary Claire Haver presenting The New Perimenopause. Chef Alon Shaya will appear as part of the festival’s annual Kristallnacht commemoration, and composer Marc Shaiman, known for Hairspray and South Park, will give a live performance alongside his talk. Additional celebrity appearances include Jill Biden and Harry Connick Jr.
New this year, the festival showcases interactive programming that also gives back. Tickets are available for hands-on workshops, including jewelry-making with author Amanda Kingloff and floral design with Los Angeles florist Jenny Barker. The session on Jewish entrepreneurship in the toy industry, featuring authors Michael Kimmel and Renee Rosen, will double as a donation drive for Amy’s Holiday Party, a local toy collection effort. The festival will also collect pet food and supplies during a program with veterinarian Dr. Barak Benaryeh.
Organizers say the festival has adapted to shifting reading habits, including the rise of BookTok, without losing its focus. Still, Libowsky says, the format hasn’t fundamentally changed. “The experience of gathering in person to hear an author, ask questions and connect through stories has always been at the heart of what we do and perhaps feels even more valuable today.”
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