More Than 30 Writers Gather at Philadelphia Book Fair

More than 30 authors will appear at the Jewish Author Book Fair on Sunday, Nov. 15. The event runs from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Congregation Mikveh Israel, located at 44 N 4th Street in Philadelphia. The gathering is free and open to the public.

The lineup includes novelists, memoirists, historians, rabbis, journalists, and children’s authors. Attendees can purchase books, hear readings, and participate in discussions about history, faith, family, identity, culture, and current events. The roster spans genres from Jewish historical fiction and Holocaust survivor memoirs to Philadelphia history and contemporary literary fiction.

Local writers from the Main Line area are featured prominently. David Kedson of Bala Cynwyd will present “The Ten Plagues of Cocktails.” Kedson has published seven mystery and thriller novels under his own name and the pen name DK Kedson. His Passover cocktail recipe book was a top new release in two distinct Amazon categories upon its publication. He recently appeared as a contestant on the reality TV show Recipe Philly.

Elliot Rosen of Penn Valley is presenting “The Inheritance.” The memoir was originally written in Yiddish by Israel Rosen and translated into English by Dr. William Glicksman with editing by Rosen. The book details the life of an immigrant from Eastern Europe who moved to America, covering childhood hardship, marriage, and business struggles. It includes drawings and reflections on Jewish endurance and memory.

Brian Freedman of Haverford will discuss “Crushed,” a book on wine, spirits, travel, and food. Freedman examines how climate change impacts the production of wines and spirits. The book was recommended by The New York Times in 2024. It covers events such as fires in Napa and Sonoma and historic droughts in South Africa. The text explores the effects on multi-billion-dollar industries and the people who grow and craft the products.

Other participating authors include Anndee Hochman, whose “Parent Trip” collects 42 stories on conception, adoption, and family blending. Rabbi Yael Levy will present “Psalms: Ancient Songs for These Times,” a guide applying Psalms to modern life. Stacey Meadows is sharing her memoir “Pine Melody,” which addresses the loss of her eldest son in a car accident. Steve Oskie’s novel “Glassman” follows a teenager’s maturation, while J.T. Waldman’s “Megillat Esther” offers a comic book version of the Book of Esther.

The full list of participating authors includes Amy Jane Cohen, Jamie Cooperstein, Elaine Culbertson, Jerry Drew, Stuart Goldstein, Wendy Horwitz, Caroline Goldberg Igra, Lori Miller Kase, Jean Hoffmann Lewanda, Margaret Mandell, Fredricka Maister, Jay Nachman, Tara Nurin, Sherry V. Ostroff, Nathaniel Popkin, Steven Rosner, Ari Sasson, Craig Sherman, Ruth Shevlin, Rabbi Lynnda Targan, Myra Weiner, Susan Weiss, and Peter Wiesner. The event aims to connect readers directly with local and national writers.