OPENING NIGHT: Supported by the Relda Finger Hoffer Endowment Fund
DONNA FRANKOFF MEMORIAL LECTURE
RABBI
ANGELA BUCHDAHL
Heart of a Stranger: An Unlikely Rabbi’s Story of Faith, Identity, and Belonging
Sunday, November 2 | 7:00 PM
Oshman Gymnasium at the J
One of the world’s most admired religious leaders, Rabbi Buchdahl is the first Asian American to be ordained as a rabbi. Her honest and real reflections on life and religion speak to anyone looking to connect with their spirituality on a deeper level.
Patron Sponsors | Christine and Mark Laskin
Jeri and Marc Shapiro
Mitzi Shure and Jerry Wische
LOCAL LITERATI
Monday, November 3 | 7:30 PM | Kaplan Theatre
Get ready for an inspiring evening with Houston-based authors as they share the stories behind their latest works—followed by an engaging book signing you won’t want to miss!
Local Literati featured authors include: Gerald Blumenthal, Laurie Bricker, Darlene P. Campos, Dottie Lee, Manizeh Mirza-Gruber, Shelley Nadel, Joy Preble, The Family Promecene and David Sandberg.
Featuring Adam Chandler
99% Perspiration: A New Working History of the American Way of Life
Native Houstonian Adam Chandler embarks on a riveting journey across America, interviewing mayors, teachers, generals, pastors, construction workers and entrepreneurs to expose the harsh truth: in today’s economy, grit alone is no longer enough to succeed.
Patron Sponsor | Maida Asofsky
Diane Warren: Relentless
Sunday, November 9 | 1:30 PM | Kaplan Theatre
Documentary | Directed by Bess Kargman | 2024 | USA | English | 91 minutes
This powerful documentary follows the unstoppable journey of legendary songwriter Diane Warren, whose hits for artists like Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and Aerosmith have defined generations. This film presents a moving portrait of perseverance, creativity and a music icon’s relentless drive.
Patron Sponsors | Barbara and Mark Paull; Vicky and Michael Richker
MARILYN HASSID EMERGING AUTHOR RACHEL COCKERELL
Melting Point: Family, Memory, and the Search for a Promised Land
Sunday, November 9 | 4:00 PM
Congregation Or Ami
Sunday, November 9 | 7:00 PM | Kaplan Theatre
Presented with Congregation Beth Israel
Cockerell brings her family’s history to life via letters, diary entries, interviews and articles in this deeply personal exploration of the Galveston Plan, a forgotten moment in American history when 10,000 Jews fled Russia to settle in Texas in 1907.
Sponsored by
Hannah and Shara Morris in memory of Susan Farb Morris
Patron Sponsors | Marilyn Hassid and Marc Gessner
Karol and Daniel Musher
Betsy and Edward Schreiber
Helen Wils and Leonard Goldstein
BEEJHY BARHANY
Gursha: Timeless Recipes for Modern Kitchens, from Ethiopia, Israel, Harlem, and Beyond
Saturday, November 8 | 7:00 PM | HoustonConnect 68
Cramer-Jacobs Family Culinary Studio
Sunday, November 9 | 11:00 AM | Hands-On Cooking Class
Cramer-Jacobs Family Culinary Studio
Monday, November 10 | 7:30 PM | At the J
Born in Ethiopia and raised in Israel before moving to New York, Chef Barhany’s cookbook celebrates Jewish diversity. From traditional recipes like doro wot to her own unique creations such as injera fish tacos, Gursha will have you craving more!
Exploring Global Jewish Flavors:
ALKA JOSHI
Six Days in Bombay: A Novel
Tuesday, November 11 | Merfish Teen Center
Doors Open: 11:30 AM | Program Begins: 12:00 PM
Join us for lunch with friends and this incredible novel. Lunch and the book are included with your ticket.
When a famed painter dies mysteriously, her nurse becomes the prime suspect. Armed with cryptic clues, Sona races across pre-war Europe to uncover buried secrets, risking everything to clear her name and claim her own identity.
Patron Sponsor | Joyce Cramer
HOWARD MEGDAL
Becoming Caitlin Clark: The Unknown Origin Story of a Modern Basketball Superstar
Wednesday, November 12 | 7:30 PM Kaplan Theatre
Before the records and the spotlight, she was just a kid with a jump shot and a dream. In this fascinating portrait, Megdal uncovers the untold early journey of a hoops icon whose rise is rewriting the future of basketball.
Patron Sponsors | Susan and Sandy Baum
JACK FAIRWEATHER
The Prosecutor: One Man’s Battle to Bring Nazis to Justice
Thursday, November 13 | 7:30 PM
Kaplan Theatre
Drawing on newly uncovered sources, this gripping account tells the true story of Fritz Bauer, a gay, Jewish judge who survived the Nazis and battled to bring them to justice in Cold War era West Germany.
Patron Sponsors | Eve and Bobby Lapin
Supported by the Shirley and Bill Morgan Family Holocaust Memorial Fund
TOVAH P. KLEIN
Raising Resilience: How to Help Our Children
Thrive in Times of Uncertainty
Thursday, November 13 | 7:30 PM | At the J Friday, November 14 | 9:00 AM Ellen Boniuk Early Childhood School
Combining decades of research with Jewish wisdom, this compassionate guide reveals how to raise emotionally strong, confident children. It empowers caregivers with practical tools to navigate parenting challenges and nurture lasting resilience, connection and well-being in every child.
CLOSING NIGHT
SUSAN MORRISON
Lorne: The Man Who Invented Saturday Night Live
Saturday, November 15 | 7:30 PM Kaplan Theatre
Discover the untold story of Lorne Michaels, the visionary behind Saturday Night Live. In Lorne, the author draws on interviews with this unknown icon’s friends and colleagues to unravel the mystery behind comedy’s most influential mastermind.
Patron Sponsors | Debbie and Stuart Diamond
Barbara Winthrop and Jay Steinfeld
TEEN NIGHT
COREY ROSEN
A Story for Everything: Mastering Diverse Storytelling for Any Occasion
Wednesday, November 19 | 7:00 PM
Merfish Teen Center
Host of The Moth and master storyteller Corey Rosen shares funny, heartfelt tales that show how stories can heal, connect and transform—all while guiding readers to find meaning in their own lives and tell stories that truly move others.
SNEAK PREVIEW
Hostage
Friday, October 10 | 1:00 PM
OLIVER LAPIN FAMILY DAY EXPERIENCE
The Macaroons in Concert Sunday, November 2 | 4:00 PM
OPENING NIGHT
Heart of a Stranger Sunday, November 2 | 7:00 PM
LOCAL LITERATI
Monday, November 3 | 7:30 PM
Twice
Tuesday, November 4 | 7:30 PM
COMMUNITY READ
Counting Backwards
Wednesday, November 5 | 7:30 PM
Docent Tour of Art Exhibit
Thursday, November 6 | 6:30 PM
As a Jew
Thursday, November 6 | 7:30 PM
OLIVER LAPIN FAMILY DAY EXPERIENCE
A Teddy Bear for Emily
Friday, November 7 | 10:00 AM
OLIVER LAPIN FAMILY DAY EXPERIENCE
Shira the Singing Puppy
Friday, November 7 | 11:30 AM
Saturday, November 8 | 4:00 PM
Let’s Call Her Barbie
Saturday, November 8 | 7:30 PM
Gursha
Sunday, November 9 | 11:00 AM
FILM
Diane Warren: Relentless Sunday, November 9 | 1:30 PM
Melting Point Sunday, November 9 | 4:00 PM Sunday, November 9 | 7:00 PM
Exploring Global Jewish Flavors Monday, November 10 | 7:30 PM
BOOK LOVERS LUNCH
Six Days in Bombay Tuesday, November 11 | 12:00 PM
Becoming Caitlin Clark
Wednesday, November 12 | 7:30 PM
The Prosecutor
View your Book Festival schedule on-the-go with this bookmark! Simply tear it out, take notes and insert it into your bag or book.
Thursday, November 13 | 7:30 PM
Raising Resilience
Thursday, November 13 | 7:30 PM
Friday, November 14 | 9:00 AM
CLOSING NIGHT
Lorne
Saturday, November 15 | 7:30 PM
TEEN NIGHT
A Story for Everything Wednesday, November 19 | 7:00 PM
Ann and Stephen Kaufman
