The 41st JCC Jewish Book Festival once again brings the community together with fascinating writers from across Canada, USA, Australia and Israel, February 21 to 26.
Ahead of the Festival, the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver welcomes to pre-fest events; Open, Sesame!with cookbook author Rachel Simons on February 8 and Photography: Witness in Our Community with Dina Goldstein on February 12.
In disconnected times, the festival’s mission to expose the general community to a curated snapshot of current Jewish literature and ideas feels more essential now than ever. Linking audiences, with essential books, bold ideas, alongside a host of acclaimed writers exploring themes that will stimulate the community’s psyche.
Some of the authors and events coming to the 2026 Jewish Book Festival include:
February 21st Opening Night: join internationally renowned author John Irving, in conversation with Marsha Lederman about his latest novel Queen Esther, tackling for the first time Jewish themes and antisemitism, but also returning to some of his previous much-beloved characters and locations.
February 24th Closing Night: Music, Words, Spirit presents a Live Performance from Grammy and Emmy nominated singer-songwriter, best-selling author, visual artist, film composer, and rock and roll performer Peter Himmelman, whose book Suspended by No String represents A Songwriter ‘s Reflections on Faith, Aliveness and Wonder.
February 22nd finds something for everyone including; Carol Matas, the internationally acclaimed award-winning author of over 50 books for children and young adults introduces young readers age 6-9 to her Kai and the Golem. Love, Marriage and Motherhood are topics in conversation with Lihi Lapid, bestselling Israeli author and journalist writer of I Wanted To Be Wonderful: A Braided Novel. Israeli author Yishay Ishi Ron in conversation with his English translator Yardenne Greenspanabout his powerful, raw book Dog, which tells the story of a soldier broken open by PTSD, addiction, and unbearable guilt.
February 23rd The Berkowitz Bros(Ben and Max Berkowitz)whose comic book The Writer, co-authored with actor Josh Gad (not appearing) and illustrated by legendary Ariel Olivetti, looks into the world of Stan Siegel a renowned comic book writer, whose life spirals into a terrifying adventure beyond the confines of reality. Seattle scholar and translator Sasha Senderovich, in conversation with local translator Faith Jones presenting his edited and translated book In the Shadow of the Holocaust: Short Fiction by Jewish Writers from the Soviet Union.
February 24th Moderator Abby Wener Herlin is joined by local BC writer Claire Sicherman will talk about her exploration of young women and girls identity development with her book Bloom: Letters about Girlhood written with Sunshine Coast author Nicole Breit(not appearing). Also on the bill, Toronto author Danila Botha, A Place for People Like Us: A Novel explores themes of identity and offers fascinating glimpses into the LGBTQ+ as well as the Orthodox Jewish community worlds.
February 26th Cellist JANET HORVATH will present her memoir The Cello Still Sings – A Generational Story of the Holocaust and the Transformative Power of Music interspersed with musical clips.
“The festival will once again deliver its signature mix of fiction, history, memoir and more, offering something for every reader. From cooking and psychology to music, photography and family dynamics, the lineup spans the full spectrum of storytelling. As well, the festival has grown into a year-round series that keeps conversation alive throughout the year, and this approach allows us to bring in more voices and perspectives. The nucleus of our festival is Jewish-themed, but our speakers, events and audience happily represent a diversity of cultures and lived experiences that defy narrow categorization. Everyone is welcome, we build community and bridge identities across divides!” says Festival Director, Dana Camil Hewitt.
Following the festival, March 4 the annual Book Clubs event brings the festival epilogue featuring award-winning journalist and chef Bonny Reichert talking about How to Share an Egg: A True Story of Hunger, Love, and Plenty, a culinary memoir about the relationship between food and family, sustenance and survival, from the daughter of a Holocaust survivor.
The 41st JCC Jewish Book Festival runs February 21 to 26, 2026 with pre-fest events February 8 & 12 and post-fest March 4, at various venues including the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver, 950 W 41st Avenue.
Find festival updates, full event details, digital guide, register for events and purchase tickets at jccgv.com/jewish-book-festival