In celebration of Jewish American Heritage Month, the Jewish Arts & Bookfest brings together authors and artists for panel discussions, workshops, readings, family-friendly programs, and performances that showcase the Jewish experience through art, culture, and storytelling.
In person at UC Berkeley’s Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life, 2121 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA
Tickets are non-refundable and sold at the door to capacity by cash or check.
Adults: $40 (Use promo code EarlyB5 for $5 off)
Youth (under 18): $5
Students: $5 (Current student ID required for entry)
Museums for All: $5 (EBT/SNAP card required for entry)
2026 Jewish Arts & Bookfest Schedule
With multiple sessions across four rooms, a variety of activities, and the Festival Shuk [Marketplace], plan your day so you are sure to catch your favorite speakers, performances, and workshops.
2026 Headliner
We’ve Been Here Before
Insights from Punk Culture for Confronting Antisemitism and Racism
Film screening and conversation with director Jacob Kornbluth, civil rights strategist Eric K. Ward, and activist Dion Garcia
We’ve Been Here Before, a provocative documentary short by Emmy-winning filmmaker Jacob Kornbluth, uncovers how the 1980s and 1990s punk subculture became an unlikely front line in the fight against neo-Nazi extremism. Through a powerful dialogue between Kornbluth and anti-racist activists Eric K. Ward and Dion Garcia, the session explores how antisemitism and white supremacy migrated from a fringe music scene into the modern mainstream, offering urgent, lived-experience insights into confronting the rise of antisemitism and hate in society today.
Panel Discussions, Performances, and Author/Director Talks
The Torah in the Tarot
with Stav Appel
Between Worlds: Jewish, Latin, and Arab Identities in Conversation
with Sonia Daccarett, Emily Cohen Ibañez, and Estelle Tarica
Mahatma Moses: The World’s Only Indian Jewish Stand-up Comedian
with Samson Koletkar, aka Mahatma Moses
For ages 12 and up
Where The Wild Books Are: How Jewish Authors and Illustrators Revolutionized Children’s Picture Books
with Lisa Brown and Dashka Slater
For ages 12 and up
The Missing Piece: Hidden Soviet Jewish Stories
with Daniela Gerson, Sasha Visilyuk, and Masha Rumer
Bringing History to Life as Never Before: an inside look at the award-winning film Among Neighbors
with Yoav Potash and Deborah Kaufman
Mining History and Ourselves: Creating the Jewish Story
with Zeeva Bukai, Shelly Sanders, and Susan Blumberg-Kason
Jewish identity and diversity in American comic books
with Julian Voloj
For ages 12 and up
Dignifying the Dead: Art as a Personal Act of Memorialization
with Robin L. Bernstein, Mirka Knaster, and Andrée Singer Thompson
Accessing the Yiddish Word
with Tyler Kliem, Tamara Helfer, and Benjamin Lerman
Paris Portraits: A Dramatic Reading
with Laura Sheppard of the Yiddish Theater Ensemble
Can a Poem be Jewish?
with Matthew Zapruder, Ariel Resnikoff, and Judy Halebsky
Family-friendly Series
In partnership with JCC East Bay and LABA BAY AREA.
More Than Just a Face: Making portraits with photographer Hillary Goidell
with Hillary Goidell
For ages 8 and up
Official Festival Bookseller
Afikomen will have a pop-up shop, with a selection of books featured in the Jewish Arts and Bookfest.
Click here to order books featured in the festival.
Food Truck
Bringing the heart of Hummus Bodega straight to the Jewish Arts & Bookfest. Expect sizzling shawarma, fluffy pitas, bold spices, and always kosher ingredients.
Sign up to Volunteer
Festival volunteers are a crucial part of making the 2026 Jewish Arts & Bookfest a success! Our volunteer staff help welcome attendees and guide them to sessions, manage event spaces, and support our amazing presenters, among other fun, easy roles. Volunteer for 2 hours and have free admission to the festival!
Partners
Supporting Donors
Anne and N.C. Germanacos
Fran Quittel in honor of Rabbi Stuart and Vicky Kelman
Vallery Feldman
Bonnie Burt
Denah Bookstein
Helen & Albert Colen Endowment of the Magnes Museum Foundation, a supporting foundation of the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund
Supporting Donors give at the Leadership Circle level to the Magnes Signature Event Fund.
Event Sponsors
Media Sponsors
For information about becoming an sponsor, please reach out to magnesprograms@berkeley.edu.
Event Committee
Dan Alter Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life
Jo Ellen Green Kaiser J. The Jewish News of Northern California
Gravity Goldberg JCC East Bay
Robby Adler Peckerar New Lehrhaus
Howard Freedman Jewish Community Library
Hila Amram Artist
Laura Cogan Editor
Jewish American Heritage Month
This May marks the 20th annual celebration of Jewish American Heritage Month, an opportunity for all Americans to connect with the vibrant and varied American Jewish experience.
Venue Policies
For the safety and enjoyment of our entire community, no backpacks or bags larger than 12” x 12” will be allowed in the building and we reserve the right to inspect bags. We are not able to have a coat and bag check. Please leave strollers at home.
No food, drinks, or water bottles will be allowed. Ticket holders can enter and leave as much as needed. A Middle Eastern food truck will be parked outside of the museum entrance and there are other food options within 2 blocks of the Magnes.
Learn more about visiting the Magnes, our principles of community, and FAQs here.
Past Events
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