Letter from the Chair

Letter from the Chair

It is my pleasure and honor to welcome you to the 53rd Ann and Stephen Kaufman Jewish Book & Arts Festival. It is a privilege to chair an event that reaches across the community and touches so many people. This year’s festival features an exceptional lineup of authors and programs that highlights the rich diversity of the Jewish community and tracks the professional rise of some remarkable women.

We are thrilled to kick off the festival on November 2 with Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, whose book, Heart of a Stranger: An Unlikely Story of Faith, Identity, and Belonging, offers a window into the global and multicultural nature of Jewish identity. Her journey from South Korea to New York, where she became the first Asian-American to be ordained as a cantor and as a rabbi, paints a picture of Jewish diversity, spirituality, and belonging.

Over the course of two weeks, we will also follow the journeys of Ruth Handler, creator of Barbie, basketball phenom Caitlin Clark, and award-winning songwriter Diane Warren. Renee Rosen will enlighten us with her novel Let’s Call Her Barbie, about popular culture in 1950s America and the battle to reinvent the male-dominated toy industry. Howard Megdal brings us the origin story of Caitlin Clark, who has transformed every aspect of women’s basketball, and reveals the tireless proponents who made women’s basketball in Iowa a reality over 100 years ago. And in the film Diane Warren: Relentless, we learn the untold story of a woman who shaped a generation of music. Diane Warren’s genius and unrelenting drive led her to write over 400 songs for iconic artists.

This year’s festival also features a more personal subject for many of us: the Galveston Movement that began in 1907, bringing more than 10,000 Jewish immigrants through the port of Galveston. Rachel Cockerell will uncover her great-grandfather’s role as she discusses her best-selling book, Melting Point: Family, Memory, and the Search for a Promised Land. Another treat for Houstonians is the return of Adam Chandler as our keynote speaker at our Local Literati event! He is an author and journalist in his own right, as well as a Houston native.

Continuing the lineup of compelling voices, Eli Sharabi will tell his powerful story of captivity and survival two years after he was abducted on October 7, 2023, and held hostage for 491 days. He brings his memoir, Hostage, and allows us to bear witness to the unfathomable events that took place. He will be speaking on October 10 at 1:00 PM.

From personal journeys spanning the United States, Asia, and Israel to explorations of global Jewish flavors, this year’s festival reflects the many ways Jewish life is experienced and expressed. With a wide range of events, including a series of engaging children’s programming with the Oliver Lapin Family Day Experience, the festival offers something meaningful for every member of the Jewish community.

The success of this festival is only possible with the vision, enthusiasm, and dedication of the many individuals who bring it to life. First, a thank you to my co-chair, Michelle Goldberg Moses, whose energy, insight, and passion for books has elevated this year’s festival. I’m sure that, as next year’s chair, Michelle will lead the festival with creativity and inspiration. I am indebted to our festival committee, which was infused with energy from its new members and benefited from the experience of its continuing members. A special thank you to Amy Rahmani, Director of Arts & Culture, who works tirelessly with heart and humor to create a superior experience for her chairs, committee, and the greater community. She is the perfect partner. Thank you also to Myla Bell, Guy Cohen, Idit Gottleib, Barbara Lindenberg, and the entire J staff who support the festival with their time and energy.

Another very special thank you goes to Ann and Stephen Kaufman, our Patrons of the Arts, and all our underwriters and community partners. Without you, the opportunity to open the eyes and minds to the authors showcased this year would not be possible. Thank you for your truly special gift.

I look forward to seeing you all at this year’s Book & Arts Festival!

Vicki Teller
Chair, 53rd Ann and Stephen Kaufman Jewish Book & Arts Festival