New chapter for Pittsburgh Jewish book festival
Between Nov. 10-13 and again on Nov. 20, Pittsburghers can hear readings from celebrated writers
Pittsburghers are turning the page on a Jewish book festival. Nearly five years ago, Squirrel Hill residents Seth Glick and Carolyn Slayton brought a reading series to Rodef Shalom Congregation. Authors arrived, listeners came, the series eventually moved to Congregation Beth Shalom, “then COVID hit,” Glick said. “We tried it on Zoom, but like many things it lost steam.”
The Pittsburgh Jewish Book Festival is back, and Glick (a Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle board member) is eager to welcome new authors and new partners. Between Nov. 10-13 and again on Nov. 20, Pittsburghers can hear readings from celebrated writers including Ilan Evyater, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, Michael Solomonov and Steve Cook.
“We got a really good lineup,” Glick said.
On the evening of Nov. 10, Evyater will read from his book, “Target Tehran: How Israel Is Using Sabotage, Cyberwarfare, Assassination — and Secret Diplomacy — to Stop a Nuclear Iran and Create a New Middle East.” The following night, Cosgrove will read from his book, “For Such a Time as This: On Being Jewish Today.” Solomonov and Cook, authors of “Zahav Home: Cooking for Friends & Family,” are slated to speak on Nov. 20.
Before the Nov. 10 and Nov. 11 keynote addresses, local writers will share selections from their works. Included among a bevy of talented authors is the Chronicle’s Senior Staff Writer David Rullo, who will read from his book “Gen X Pittsburgh: The Beehive and the ’90s Scene.”
Beth Shalom member and Derekh coordinator Shari Woldenberg has dedicated hours to the upcoming festival. After joining the Jewish Book Council and listening to more than 200 pitches from authors, she pared down the list and worked with Glick and Slayton to bring a select few to Pittsburgh.
The festival isn’t only about hearing from authors, Woldenberg said. It’s an opportunity to engage with community.
Kicking off the festival is a yoga session with Edith Brotman, author of “Mussar Yoga: Blending an Ancient Jewish Spiritual Practice with Yoga to Transform Body and Soul.”
During the festival there also will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a Hebrew book lending library, family programming and panel discussions, Woldenberg said.
Eric Ackland, owner of Amazing Books & Records, is offering the authors’ books for sale in the Beth Shalom lobby on Nov. 10-11 from noon to 6 p.m.
Several partners are making the festival possible. Along with Glick and Slayton’s support, the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle is the festival’s lead Community Partner.
Money raised from the festival will support Beth Shalom, “which has always given me a spiritual home,” Glick said. “This is a way to pay them back.”
Woldenberg expects more than 200 people to attend the festival. She hopes the event promotes more than empty words.
“I think people need to engage in diverse subjects, have civil discourse and learn,” she said. “It’s the only way we can understand our complicated world.”
The festival’s timing necessitates cool heads and meaningful discussion, Woldenberg continued.
“We will be coming out of our elections…We need to move forward,” she said. “The world needs more opportunities to engage and not be so polarized.”
A full schedule of festival events is available at bethshalompgh.org. PJC
Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.
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