Philadelphia Jewish Author Book Fair to Host 31 Writers Nov. 15

The Jewish publishing market in Philadelphia will gather for a single afternoon on Nov. 15. More than 30 authors will present their work at the Jewish Author Book Fair, an event scheduled from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Congregation Mikveh Israel, 44 N 4th Street.

The roster includes 31 named participants ranging from Anndee Hochman to Simone Zelitch. The group comprises novelists, memoirists, historians, rabbis, journalists, and children’s authors. Attendees can purchase books, hear readings, and join discussions on topics such as history, faith, family, identity, culture, and current events.

David Kedson of Bala Cynwyd will bring seven published mystery and thriller novels, often written under the name DK Kedson. He also authored The Ten Plagues of Cocktails, a Passover recipe book that reached the top of two distinct Amazon categories for new releases. The Philadelphia Inquirer noted that Kedson has transformed the holiday into a lively tradition centered on his work. He recently competed on the reality TV show Recipe Philly and is currently working on another novel.

Elliot Rosen of Penn Valley is presenting The Inheritance, a memoir originally written in Yiddish by Israel Rosen. Translator Dr. William Glicksman and editor Rosen brought the text into English. The book details Rosen’s life in Eastern Europe, his move to America, and his family experiences. It preserves the voice of an immigrant from a vanished Yiddish world.

Brian Freedman of Haverford will discuss Crushed, a book on wine, spirits, travel, and food. The work examines how climate change impacts global wine production. The New York Times recommended the book in 2024. Freedman notes that fires in Napa and Sonoma have affected vintages, while rising temperatures in Southern England are boosting sparkling wine quality. Droughts in South Africa also threaten the industry there.

Other featured authors include Jamie Cooperstein, whose memoir True Hospitality covers luxury concierge work, and Rabbi Yael Levy, who wrote Psalms: Ancient Songs for These Times. Stacey Meadows will present Pine Melody, a memoir about a mother’s loss following a car accident. Steve Oskie’s Glassman follows a teenager’s maturation, while Nathan Popkin’s Partly Strong, Partly Broken addresses family fractures. J.T. Waldman offers a comic book version of the Book of Esther.

The fair covers genres including Jewish historical fiction, contemporary literary fiction, Holocaust history, survivor memoirs, spirituality, children’s literature, and Philadelphia history. The event is free and open to the public.

Congregation Mikveh Israel, founded in 1740, is the oldest congregation in Philadelphia and the longest continuing operating congregation in the United States. It blends Spanish-Portuguese Jewish ritual with American Jewish development. More information is available at mikvehisrael.org.