A message from your Book Festival Co-Chairs

We are excited to bring you the 2020-21 Jewish Book Festival! While COVID-19 certainly impacted our planning, it also resulted in some new opportunities. This year, as with Book Festivals throughout the country, our Festival will be held virtually. The good news is that with virtual presentations, we will not have to be concerned about delayed flights, travel schedules, or even the cost of airfare! We were even able to invite authors from other countries. So rather than focusing on what we might not be able to do, we considered this Festival as an opportunity to try new things. As a result, we will bring you an even more impressive array of authors than ever before. Several authors will be revealing surprising stories about little-known historical events that up to now seem to have been best-kept secrets. Whether you are an avid reader or just enjoy a fascinating speaker, this Festival provides something for everyone.

From December through March, the Jewish Book Festival, brought to you through the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples in cooperation with the Jewish Book Council, will continue to be a key contributor to the cultural life of our community. The Festival would not be possible without our Patrons, our Sponsors and, of course, YOU – all the community members who have attended. Your generosity and overwhelming support are a testament to our amazing community – a community that understands the value of cultural arts.

We are also most appreciative of the dedicated members of our Book Festival Committee and of Reneé Bialek, the Federation’s Program Director. We are all working hard to ensure that you have a wide array of opportunities to be educated, inspired and entertained.

If you missed the Book Festival Preview Event, during which Committee members introduced us to each of the twenty-one books that will be presented during the Book Festival, you may watch the recording on the Festival webpage at www.JewishBookFestival.org.

As you read through this Jewish Book Festival section of the paper, you will find a complete schedule of events, registration information, book overviews and information about becoming a Patron. You will also find a thank-you to both our Patrons and Sponsors, without whom this Festival would not be possible. (For questions or general information, please contact Reneé Bialek at rbialek@jewishnaples.org)

The 2020-21 Jewish Book Festival will kick off on Thursday, December 3 at 7:00 pm with Lori Gottlieb, psychotherapist and author of the bestselling book Maybe You Should Talk to Someone. So put a “reserved sign” on your favorite chair and be ready to join us as we Zoom along together through our Festival. We don’t want you to miss a word!

Susan & Robin

Susan Pittelman and Robin Mintz Greater Naples Jewish Book Festival Co-Chairs