Lane Dworkin Authors + Innovators Festial
Authors + Innovators Festival November 9-23, 2025
Other Events
Brunch and Book Review
With The Honorable Judge Karen Morris
Join Hadassah and the Authors + Innovators Festival for a very special book review event.
We are excited to present Hadassah’s annual book review, open to the public.
The Honorable Judge Karen Morris will review the book The Trial of the Century by Gregg Jarrett. This national best seller gives a comprehensive history of the iconic attorney Clarence Darrow and the famous Scopes Monkey Trial.
Event includes book raffles-three chances to win!
A Q&A will follow.
Thursday, May 8
Dairy Brunch starts: 10:45 AM
Event: 11:00 AM-1:30 PM
3 Raffles Throughout Event
Location: JCC of Greater Rochester, Erdle Lounge
Tickets: $18.00 (includes brunch)
Raffle tickets sold separately at event only. Raffle tickets cash and check only.
When you click on a book, it will take you to Amazon.com, and a percentage of your purchase will go to the Authors + Innovators Festival. As an Amazon associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. There is no extra cost to you.Â
Pop Up Book Group
May 18
11:00 AM-12:00 PM
Celebrate Mystery Fiction Month with us!
Join us for a one-time book group as we discuss Lady in the Lake, by Laura Lippman.
A bored Jewish housewife leaves her husband and moves to downtown Baltimore to become an investigative reporter. She begins unraveling the mystery behind the murder of a black woman and a young Jewish girl.
Set in 1966, Lady in the Lake explores themes of racism, sexism, media and privilege.
FREE.
Registration Required
Facilitated by Marni Port, Authors + Innovators Festival Director. Marni is also the founder of the Seattle Mystery Fiction Book Group, now in its 16th year.
Grab something to eat and drink at Foxes and meet us at the JCC in Erdle Lounge!
When you click on a book, it will take you to Amazon.com, and a percentage of your purchase will go to the Authors + Innovators Festival. As an Amazon associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. There is no extra cost to you.
Support Jewish authors, innovators, books of Jewish content, and the festival-year round.
You’ll find this year’s festival books and coming soon…much more! When you make a purchase through our website, the Festival benefits!
About the Festival
 The JCC Lane Dworkin Authors + Innovators Festival exists to create a showcase for Jewish authors and innovators, and/or books of Jewish content. In so doing, the festival promotes awareness, appreciation, and pride in the diversity of the Jewish people; strengthens community consciousness of Jewish identity, history, and culture; and provides a community forum to stimulate dynamic and provocative dialogue.
WITH FOND MEMORIES OF SHELDON A. LANE
The JCC Lane Dworkin Authors + Innovators Festival is presented in memory of Sheldon A. Lane. His vision for the Festival continues through the support of his loving family.
JEWISH BOOK COUNCIL
The Jewish Book Council is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1943 to promote the publishing, writing and reading of books of Jewish interest. Visit jewishbookcouncil.org for more information.
FESTIVAL DIRECTOR
Marni Port
FESTIVAL ADVISOR
Andrea Miller
FESTIVAL CHAIR
Elizabeth Hornak
FESTIVAL COMMITTEE
Barbara Appelbaum
Henra Briskin
Ellen Comisar
Nikki Druckman
David Dworkin
Wendy Dworkin
Linda Epstein
Stacey Freed
Hannah Harnest
Wendy Howitt
Caroline Korn
Sharon Kovalsky
Jacqui Lipschitz
Ron Newman
Liza Robbins Theuman
Festival Bookstore
Open November 6–21, 2024
Location: JCC Yiddish Room
Mon-Thurs
- 9-11am
- 5-7pm
- 1 hour before and after all scheduled festival events at the JCC.
Books provided by:
View past festival brochures:
 2022 |  2021 |  2019 |  2018 | |
 2017 |  2016 |  2015 |  2014 | |
 2013 |  2012 |  2011 |  2010 | Â |