Episode 153 – Jewish Books, Jewish Authors

Posted November 10, 2023

In a special two-part episode, Lynne Golodner interviews people who curate and promote Jewish books and Jewish authors. The first part features representatives from America’s longest-running Jewish Book Fair — Lauren Johnson, a librarian and consultant at the J-Detroit, and Brenda Brook, the 2023 chair of the Detroit Jewish Book Fair. The second part is a conversation with Naomi Firestone-Teeter, executive director of the Jewish Book Council. Learn why Detroit is a hub for Jewish literature, and consider the role of Jewish books in shaping identity of and for diverse audiences.

In the latest episode of the Make Meaning Podcast, host Lynne Golodner interviews Brenda, Lauren, and Naomi about the legacy of Jewish book fairs and trends in the Jewish book world, including an increase in Holocaust-related writings and the growth of children’s publishing. They also touch on the responsibility of Jewish authors in representing the community and how virtual events are attracting a global audience.

In this episode, Lynne, Lauren, Brenda and Naomi discuss: 

• The long history of the Detroit Jewish Book Fair
• Being the “People of the Book“
• Gentile authors writing for a Jewish audience
• Criteria for selecting books for the book fair
• Communicating Jewish identity to global audiences
• Jewish book fairs compared to other book events
• The importance of featuring authors who are not bestsellers
• The value of community engagement
• Growth and diversity in Jewish children’s literature
• Personal journeys and passions for Jewish culture
• Changing conversations in the Jewish book world
• Trends in graphic narratives and genre fiction
• Intergenerational growth in the Jewish genre
• Fascination with the Orthodox community in Jewish literature
• Jewish books inspire conversations about identity and culture
• How books reflect the multifaceted Jewish experience and promote diversity
• Portraying Jews responsibly
• Jewish Book Month
• Accessibility and opportunities for smaller communities
• The JBC’s writers’ conference

Links and Resources: 

• Detroit Jewish Book Fair
• Woman of Valor
• The Holocaust
• Martha Ann Toll (who will be on the Make Meaning Podcast Dec. 1, 2023)
• Lynne’s Writing Programs
• Jewish Book Week
• PJ Library
• Jewish Publication Society
• The Paper Brigade
• JBC Network
• Global Jewish Literary Alliance
• JBC writers conference
• Irwin Shaw
• Maimonides
• Torah
• Elie Wiesel
• Jim Lehrer 
• Peter Max
• Jeffrey Toobin
• Chaim Potok
• Jennifer Weiner
• Belva Plain
• Daniel Silva
• Pam Jenoff
• Karen Tintori Katz
• Jill Gregory
• Donald Levin
• Kristin Harmel
• Fanny Goldstein

You can find all of the Make Meaning Podcast episodes on YouTube.