Eighth Annual Jewish Book Festival features 16 authors at 14 events

Now in its eighth year, the Jewish Book Festival is presented by Jewish Federation of Greater Naples. The festival offers interesting, provocative and informative books brought to life by the authors who visit either virtually or in person. The JBF Committee, along with Chair Gayle Dorio and Program Chair Reneé Bialek, work hard to select the authors each year and take care of all details to ensure successful events.

This year, 16 authors will discuss their books at 14 events — 9 virtual and 5 in person. Truly a labor of love, we believe it is important to offer this enrichment. It is a strong component of excellent programming brought to you, making our community vibrant and rewarding!

While five of the festival events will have taken place by the time you read this, you can still participate in the other nine events. Here is a summary: Soviet bear’s intrusion and risk a bleak future in Siberia? Or do they reluctantly accept the protection of Hitler’s SS pledged to protect “pure-blood” Germans and evacuate Ukraine for who-knows-where?

Author Sullivan is the acclaimed author of more than 20 novels, including the #1 Kindle bestselling “Beneath a Scarlet Sky” and the #1 New York Times bestselling “Private” series, which he writes with James Patterson.

Tuesday, Nov. 1, 1 p.m.

Gioia Diliberto “Coco at the Ritz” Coco Chanel. The name conjures images of her fashion designs worn and appreciated by wealthy and celebrated women around the world. Her perfumes still scent our special occasions. How many of us have Chanel No. 5 on our dressing tables? But the real Coco lived a story that had its troublesome aspects: she was arrested and interrogated on charges of treason against her native France. Her questioners led Chanel from her suite at the Ritz Paris hotel to an undisclosed location. Find out more about this little-known story when Gioia Diliberto, author of seven books, talks about her latest historical novel, “Coco at the Ritz.” The presentation opened the season’s Festival on Nov. 1.

Sponsored by Naples Jewish Congregation

Thursday, Nov. 17, 2 p.m.

Richard Rabinowitz “Objects of Love & Regret”

Only an historian and museum curator like Richard Rabinowitz could develop a fascinating family history from one everyday object — a green, woodhandled bottle opener bought for twenty cents from a pushcart in mid-Depression Brooklyn. By revealing the personal meaning and historical significance of simple objects, this book paints an intimate portrait of his family as they maneuver through the transformations of 20th-centuryAmerican life.

Sponsored by Men’s Cultural Alliance

Wednesday, Nov. 30, Noon

Daniel Grunfeld “By the Grace of the Game”

Love basketball? Never miss watching U.S. teams compete in the Olympics? Then you’ll be on the edge of your seat for this book about Ernie Grunfeld, a young basketball phenom who not only won Olympic gold but rose to the heights as an NBA player and executive. Author Dan Grunfeld, himself a basketball standout at Stanford University, shares this family saga about a game that surprisingly held the power to heal wounds, build bridges and knit together a fractured Jewish family. Sponsored by Holocaust Museum and Cohen Education Center

Monday, Dec. 5, 7 p.m.

Eleanor Reissa “The Letters Project: A Daughter’s Journey”

Imagine that after your mother’s death, you discover a wad of papers in an old purse — courtship letters written in German by her father to her mother. Fast forward 30 years to finally have them translated. Savor the resulting unimaginable adventure into the past, to relive through these 56 missives her parents’ incredible story. She learns how her father fought to stay alive in Auschwitz and on the Death March, while her mother suffered sisters who share a passion for opera. Frequent pilgrimages to Germany and Austria acquaint them with their favorite opera stars, many of whom are Jewish. As war clouds gather and harassment increases, the stars of Continental opera are likely to be squashed under the boot heel of the Nazis. Award-winning investigative journalist Isabel Vincent will regale us with the story of how the Cook sisters forged a daring plan to save opera’s Jewish stars from the Third Reich in “Overture of Hope,” at 2 p.m. on Jan. 12, via Zoom.

Sponsored by Ginsberg Eye Ophthalmology and Theatre Zone

Friday, Jan. 20, 10 a.m.

Eileen Kathy Pollack “Maybe It’s Me”

When you are born smart when most girls were expected to abide by the rules and just be housewives and mothers, you begin to see yourself as “the wrong kind of woman.” Eileen wanted to study advanced courses in science and math, but her rural public high school said no because she was female. After earning a physics degree at Yale, she marries a man who, theoretically, respects her career path. But as a wife, she must do all the housework and child-rearing, pay the taxes and make sure the RotoRooter guy arrives on time. Author Eileen Pollack will take us down the road in a world just starting to imagine equality between the sexes. “Maybe It’s Me” poses a question all smart women have asked themselves. Find the answers at 10 a.m., Jan. 20, via Zoom.

Sponsored by Temple Shalom Sisterhood

Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2 p.m.

Marjorie Margolies “And How are the Children?” How about a “call-to-action memoir”?

One written by a woman who is the epitome of female empowerment, who broke through professional glass ceilings and paved the way for generations of women to follow. The first single American to adopt internationally, Marjorie Margolies masterfully blends her personal narrative with national history and politics. Athlete, educator, TV reporter, congressperson, world traveler, adoption advocate, parent and grandparent, Margolies shares her hard-earned wisdom in the book “And How Are the Children?” at 2 p.m., Feb. 1, in person at JFGN and via Zoom. Sponsored by Senior Housing Solutions & Women’s Cultural Alliance

Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2 p.m.

Shaunna Edwards & Alyson Richman “Thread Collectors”

Two women and one war — the Civil War — weave a rich tapestry of ingenuity and courage. A Black woman in New Orleans embroiders intricate maps on repurposed cloth to help enslaved men flee and join the Union Army. A Jewish woman in New York City stitches a quilt for her husband stationed in Louisiana with the Union Army. An intriguing premise for a beautiful story authored by debut novelist Shaunna J. Edwards and Alyson Richman, so familiar to Festival audiences. Mark your calendar for 2 p.m., Feb. 14, at JFGN and via Zoom.

Sponsored by Temple Shalom Men’s Club and Alison Craig Home Furnishings

Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2 p.m.

Lori Banov Kaufmann “Rebel Daughter”

How about a tale of family, love and resilience set against the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE? Esther struggles in her personal life, torn between family responsibilities and her own desires. At the same time, growing turmoil threatens to tear apart her beloved city, Jerusalem, as well as her own family. Fiercely devoted to family, she braves famine, siege and slavery to protect those she loves. National Jewish Book Award Winner Lori Banov Kaufmann will shed more light on her historical novel “Rebel Daughter,” at 2 p.m., Feb. 28, via Zoom from Israel, where she lives with her husband and four grown children.

Sponsored by Hadassah Collier/ Lee Chapter

Friday, Mar. 3, 1 p.m.

Mallory Smith; Diane Smith “Salt in My Soul”

Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at age 3, Mallory met daily challenges of endless medical treatments and came to a deep understanding that she would never lead a normal life. However, she was determined to “Live Happy,” a mantra she followed until her death. For more than 10 years, she recorded her thoughts and observations about struggles and feelings too personal to share during her lifetime. Her mother, Diane Smith, published her work posthumously and will be the one to share her daughter’s journey with us. This book, “Salt in My Soul,” is sure to offer insights to those living with, or loving someone with, chronic illness.

Sponsored by TOP Jewish Foundation and Vi at Bentley Village

Tuesday, Mar. 14, 2 p.m.

Erica Katz “Fake”

Our Festival audiences look forward to gripping novels. Here’s one about a superb artist who specializes in making fakes — legitimate ones. Collectors and museums commission her to paint copies to display while the authentic art is safely stored away. It’s a good living, but she wants to chase her own artistic dreams. When a collector appears with an unexpected invitation, she sees a way out — a new job, a new path for herself, and access to big money. Author Erica Katz, a pseudonym, will tell us more about “Fake” at 2 p.m., March 14, via Zoom.

Sponsored by Casual Connection

Two-Book Event Wednesday, Mar. 22, 2 p.m.

Jen Maxfield “More After the Break: A Reporter Returns to Ten Unforgettable News Stories”

Ira Rosen “Ticking Clock: Behind the Scenes at 60 Minutes”

This season’s final event features two authors and two unforgettable books about the news. In “More After the Break: A Reporter Returns to Ten Unforgettable News Stories,” author Jen Maxfield describes how the events unfolded, also revealing what happened after the camera went away. Her stories will introduce memorable people who will inspire you with their hopefulness even while confronting life’s most profound heartbreaks.

Over her 22-year career, author Maxfield estimates she has interviewed more than 10,000 people.

For more than 25 years, Ira Rosen has produced some of the most memorable, important and ground-breaking stories for TV’s “60 Minutes.” As he broke some of the most important stories in TV news, he had to contend with the behind-the-scenes clash of personalities between producers, anchors and legendary correspondent Mike Wallace. His spellbinding book is “Ticking Clock: Behind the Scenes at 60 Minutes.”

The two stellar journalists will speak to us at 2 p.m. on March 22, in person and via Zoom.

Sponsored by Men’s Cultural Alliance and Women’s Cultural Alliance and Wollman, Gehrke & Associates, P.A.