A free Jewish book festival is coming to New York this fall

A free, one-day literary celebration is returning to the Museum of Jewish Heritage at 36 Battery Place in downtown Manhattan this fall: the 2025 New York Jewish Book Festival will take place on Sunday, November 16. As always, expect a vibrant mix of author talks, panel discussions, creative workshops and book signings, all centered on Jewish heritage and literature. The festival is known for sparking thoughtful conversations around culture, identity and history through the lens of contemporary and classic Jewish writing.

While the official speaker lineup hasn’t been released yet, if last year’s guests—including author Gary Shteyngart, culinary historian Michael Twitty and film critic A.O. Scott—are any indication, this year’s event will likely feature another stellar group.

With major recent releases in Jewish literature, it’s not far-fetched to imagine appearances from writers like Jonathan Safran Foer, whose work often explores the intersection of Jewish identity and modern life; Taffy Brodesser-Akner, fresh off the publication of her much-anticipated novel Long Island Compromise; or Daniel Mendelsohn, known for his deeply personal examinations of history and family.

Authors and publishers interested in participating can submit proposals for solo talks or panels through August 15 here. Admission is completely free, though registration is encouraged (more details on that are to come).

And if you can’t make it in person, don’t worry. Many of the festival’s keynotes and major sessions have been livestreamed in past years, so you’ll likely be able to join in from anywhere.