Prologue Sunday, October 25 • 4:00 pm Event Billy Planer Conversations That Matter: How Americans Can Talk About Tough Issues And Remain United THE DR. CHARLES & BUNNY ROSENBERG JEWISH SPEAKER SERIES
Sunday, November 1 • 1:30 pm Dena Schusterman Stories Carry: A Memoir
Opening Day
Monday November 2 • 7:30 pm Rachel Goldberg-Polin When We See You Again NO PHOTO OR SIGNING LINE
Tuesday, November 3 • 12:00 pm Heather Morris The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse: A Novel
Don’t miss one of the most highly regarded cultural events in the Southeast.
Tuesday, November 3 • 7:30 pm Mary Claire Haver, MD The New Perimenopause: An Evidence-Based Guide to Surviving the Zone of Chaos and Feeling Like Yourself Again
Hear from, meet, and interact with the year’s most renowned authors, entertainers, thought leaders, and pop culture icons. With countless awardwinning and bestselling authors, our Book Festival is truly unlike any other.
Wednesday, November 4 • 7:30 pm Bruce Feiler A Time to Gather: How Ritual Created the World — and How It Can Save Us Thursday, November 5 • 7:30 pm Mimi Nichter Hostage: A Memoir of Terrorism, Trauma, and Resilience Jewelry Friday November 6 • 11:00 am Workshop Amanda Kingloff The Art of Jewish Joy: Crafts and Activities for Celebration and Connection
Buy Tickets Scan the QR code with your phone’s camera to buy tickets and learn more about our authors.
atlantajcc.org/bookfestival
All sales are final. Tickets and book sales are non-refundable. Tickets and Series Passes are subject to a $1.50 service charge. The presenters’ viewpoints and opinions are their own and should not be attributed to those of MJCCA leadership or management.
Saturday, November 7 • 8:00 pm Dr. Jill Biden View from the East Wing: A Memoir
Sunday, November 8 • 10:00 am & 1:30 pm Film Screening and Book Event Hadasa & Clila Bau Bau: Artist At War Sunday, November 8 • 7:30 pm Marc Shaiman Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner Monday, November 9 • 7:30 pm Alon Shaya Memories of a Good Meal: Recipes of Resilience Inspired by Stories of World War II Survival
Tuesday, November 10 • 12:00 pm Karen Essex Run, Darling
Sunday, November 15 • 7:30 pm Shai Davidai American Intellectual Antisemitism: The Anti-Jewish Movement Tearing Through Our Universities
Lynn Cullen When We Were Brilliant: A Novel
Monday, November 16 • 12:00 pm Jenna Blum Murder Your Darlings: A Novel
Tuesday, November 10 • 7:30 pm Batya Unger-Sargon The Jews and the Left: A Jewish History of Antisemitism, Civil Rights, and the Unraveling of American Politics
Meredith Lavender and Kendall Shores Perfect Life: A Novel
Wednesday, November 11 • 12:00 pm Dr. Barak Benaryeh The Vet Will See You Now: What Every Pet Owner Needs to Know (but doesn’t)
Dessert Monday, November 16 • 7:30 pm Reception Adeena Sussman Zariz: 100 Easy, Breezy, Tel Aviv-y Recipes
Wednesday, November 11 • 7:30 pm Roy K. Altman Israel on Trial: Examining the History, the Evidence, and the Law Thursday, November 12 • 12:00 pm Jessica Handler The World to See: A Novel
Sara Goodman Confino Off the Record: A Novel
Thursday, November 12 • 7:30 pm Michael Kimmel Playmakers: The Jewish Entrepreneurs Who Created the Toy Industry in America Renée Rosen Let’s Call Her Barbie: A Novel
Shabbat Friday, November 13 • 12:00 pm Luncheon Rebekah Lowin A Year of Jewish Joy: Inspired Recipes, Rituals, and Traditions for Beautiful Celebrations
Saturday, November 14 • 8:00 pm Harry Connick, Jr. Babe: Elaboratio, A Tribute to My Mother
Sunday, November 15 • 1:30 pm Natalie Livingstone The Nuremberg Women
THE EVA & GEORGE STERN LECTURE
Tuesday, November 17 • 7:30 pm Simon Sebag Montefiore The Cauldron: The Making of the Modern Middle East THE ESTHER G. LEVINE COMMUNITY READ
Wednesday, November 18 • 7:30 pm Alyssa Rosenheck White. Blonde. Jew. A Call to End Extremism, Speak Up, and Reclaim Center Thursday, November 19 • 7:30 pm Steven J. Ross The Secret War Against Hate: American Resistance to Antisemitism and White Supremacy Floral Friday, November 20 • 11:00 am Workshop Jenny Barker Flower Energy: Channeling the Healing Power of Blooms
Saturday, November 21 • 8:00 pm Ben Mezrich Checkmate: Genius, Lies, Ambition, and the Biggest Scandal in Chess Closing Sunday, November 22 • 7:00 pm Night Dara Horn The Final Solution to the Jewish Question: A Love Story for the Living
Buy a 2026 Series Pass and attend for one low price!* MJCCA Member: $175 ($435 Value) Community: $215 ($575 Value) * Exclusions apply. See website for details.
Charles Lachman They Shall Not See the Dawn: The Manhunt for the Third Reich’s Most Wanted
Passes and tickets available at atlantajcc.org/ bookfestival
Festival vice-chair Tracey Grant’s favorites
Tracey Grant, MJCCA Book Festival vice-chair.
By Cathy Cobbs Tracey Grant, the vice-chair of the 35th Book Festival of the MJCCA, said after growing up going to the event, 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.
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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 flowerarranging 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 from Nov. 1-22. 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 awardwinning “People Love Dead Jews” confronts the myths and lies that have spread antisemitism and offers a vision for the future. Tickets are on sale at tlantajcc.org/ bookfestival,
(Above) Dr. Jill Biden discusses her memoir on Saturday, Nov. 7th. (Below) Friday, Nov. 20th, Jenny Barker leads a “Flower Energy” workshop.
“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.” ROUGHDRAFT.NEWS
Hands-on experiences
Food, crafts, and hands-on connection remain central to the festival Friday, Nov. 6: Amanda Kingloff “The Art of Jewish Joy” Leads a Jewish holiday craft, with every guest making and taking home a charm bracelet or necklace. Monday, Nov. 9: Alon Shaya and June Hersh “Memories of a Good Meal.” Pair Holocaust survivor stories with the recipes behind them, part of the festival’s keynote programming. Friday, Nov. 13: Rebekah Lowin “A Year of Jewish Joy” Hosts a Kosher Shabbat lunch buffet catered by A Kosher Touch alongside a conversation on Jewish holiday entertaining. Monday, Nov. 16: Adeena Sussman “Zariz” Shares Tel Aviv-inspired recipes followed by a tasting reception. Friday, Nov. 20: Jenny Barker “Flower Energy” Leads a flower arranging workshop, with every guest leaving with their own centerpiece.
June Hersh and Alon Shaya present “Memories of a Good Meal” on Monday, Nov. 9th, as part of the festival’s keynote programming. ROUGHDRAFT.NEWS
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Other notable sessions at MJCCA Book Festival A wide range of fiction, memoir, and history Amanda Kingloff (Friday, Nov. 6, 1:00 p.m.), “The Art of Jewish Joy.” A hands-on guide to Jewish holiday crafting; every guest makes and takes home a handmade charm bracelet or necklace.
**Jessica Handler (Thursday, Nov. 12, 12:00 p.m.), “The World to See: A Novel.” Atlanta’s own novelist explores friendship, ambition, and self-image across four women’s lives.
Hadasa and Clila Bau (Sunday, Nov. 8, 1:30 p.m.), “Bau: Artist at War.” The daughters of Holocaust survivor and forger Joseph Bau share his story, preceded by a screening of the feature film “Bau, Artist at War.”
Michael Kimmel (Thursday, Nov. 12, 7:30 p.m.), “The Playmakers: The Jewish Entrepreneurs Who Created the Toy Industry in America.” The untold story of the Jewish toymakers who built Ideal, Hasbro, Mattel, and Lionel, paired with a holiday toy drive for Amy’s Holiday Party.
Marc Shaiman (Sunday, Nov. 8, 7:30 p.m.), “Never Mind the Happy.” The Tony-, Emmy-, and Grammy-winning composer of Hairspray looks back on five decades in Broadway and Hollywood. Karen Essex (Tuesday, Nov. 10, 12:00 p.m.), “Run, Darling.” A bestselling author traces the hidden story of the Gabor sisters, part of the festival’s Lit for Lunch series. **Lynn Cullen (Tuesday, Nov. 10, 12:00 p.m.), “When We Were Brilliant.” Atlanta’s own bestselling novelist imagines the friendship between Marilyn Monroe and photographer Eve Arnold. Dr. Barak Benaryeh (Wednesday, Nov. 11, 12:00 p.m.), “The Vet Will See You Now.” A veterinarian’s candid, often funny look inside the exam room, paired with a pet supply donation drive for local animal shelters. Sara Goodman Confino (Thursday, Nov. 12, 12:00 p.m.), “Off the Record.” A Cold War-set romantic comedy from a bestselling author, part of Lit for Lunch.
Renée Rosen (Thursday, Nov. 12, 7:30 p.m.), “Let’s Call Her Barbie: A Novel.” A USA Today bestselling author imagines the invention of the world’s most famous doll. Charles Lachman and Natalie Livingstone (Sunday, Nov. 15, 1:30 p.m.), “They Shall Not See the Dawn / The Nuremberg Women.” Two historians explore the manhunt for Hitler’s most wanted and the untold stories of the women of Nuremberg. **Meredith Lavender and Kendall Shores (Monday, Nov. 16, 12:00 p.m.), “Perfect Life: A Novel”. The Atlantabased bestselling duo returns with a twisty new novel, part of Lit for Lunch. Jenna Blum (Monday, Nov. 16, 12:00 p.m.), “Murder Your Darlings.” A New York Times bestselling author delivers a suspenseful, funny novel about writers, stalkers, and revenge.
(Left) Mark Shaiman (Above) Dr. Barak Benaryeh
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Special Thank You to Our Sponsors The Book Festival of the MJCCA would not be possible without the generous and ongoing support of our sponsors. Thank you! Presenting Sponsors
Barbara and Ed Mendel Signature Event Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Sheryl S. Blechner
Lisa and Ron Brill Charitable Trust
The Beth and IJ Rosenberg Family The Eva and George Stern Family
Louise and Brett Samsky
The Zaban Foundation
Silver Sponsors
The Morris Family Foundation Bronze Sponsor
In-Kind/Media Sponsors
Official Bookseller
Proud Member
As of press time