The 2023 St. Louis Jewish Book Festival is changing it up this year – instead of one keynote speaker, it is offering four major authors as headliners for the 45th annual book festival, Nov. 5-19.

The Jewish Community Center will host Andrew Rhe, Rebecca Minkoff, Martin Fletcher and Mitch Albom throughout the two-week-long event.

On Nov. 7 at the festival’s cookbook panel, YouTube star Andrew Rea, from the show “Basics with Babish,” will show off his latest cookbook, written to help troubleshoot anything from broken butter to burnt bread to bony branzino. “Basics with Babish” is said to be a kitchen Bible for the new generation of trial-and-error home chefs.

On Nov. 9, fashion mogul and social activist Rebecca Minkoff will kick off Women’s Night with her latest book, “Fearless: The New Rules For Unlocking Creativity, Courage, And Success.”

“Rebecca Minkoff is not only an icon in the fashion dimension as a world-renowned designer, but she is also a business maven whose efforts to recognize the unique struggles of women and mothers in the workplace are reflected in her podcast and in her book,” said Hannah Dinkel, director of literary arts at the J. “We are thrilled to welcome Rebecca for Women’s Night. Her uplifting character and wisdom pay tribute to the spirit of the evening as we come together to amplify powerful female, Jewish voices.”

NBC news correspondent and National Jewish Book Award–winner, Martin Fletcher, will be presenting his latest book, “Teachers: The Ones I Can’t Forget” on Nov. 14. This book features photographic montages paired with stories of resilience collected from Fletcher’s memories in international news coverage. “Teachers” is a reminder of the integrity, devotion and empathy that still goes into news reporting.

Mitch Albom, author of the No. 1 Bestseller “The Stranger in the Lifeboat,” will close out the festival on Nov. 19 discussing his latest novel, “The Little Liar.” It tells the story of three Holocaust survivors, focusing on the consequences of what they said, did, and endured as children to survive such a devastating moment in history.

In addition to these four headliners, the festival will offer a diverse lineup of bestselling authors, investigative journalists, historians and more. Highlights include:

• Acclaimed intuitive self-improvement advisor and psychic medium Rebecca Rosen, who will take the stage to discuss her book, “What’s Your Heaven? 7 Lessons to Heal the Past and Live Fully Now.” This book is a guide to overcoming harmful intergenerational patterns and tapping into your own divine guidance to start living the life you were born to lead.
• Historian and specialist for Holocaust and German-Jewish history, Wolf Gruner, who will speak on his newest book, “Resisters: How Ordinary Jews Fought Persecution in Hitler’s Germany.” This account tells the tales of individual Jews who resisted Nazi persecution, challenging the traditional portrayal of Jewish passivity during the Holocaust.
• Rosanne M. Leipzig, a top doctor with more than 35 years of experience caring for older people, who will discuss “Honest Aging,” a guide to the second half of life, describing what to expect physically, psychologically, functionally and emotionally as you age.

Participants can also expect names like Andrew Mellen, Andrew Meier, Diana Fersko, Aaron Hamburger, Weina Dai Randel and Michael Strassfeld to present their latest books throughout the festival. See the full lineup of authors, prepare your calendars for the schedule of events, or purchase tickets at jccstl.com/JBF-authors-events.

Those who want the full St. Louis Jewish Book Festival experience can purchase Premiere Pass Tickets, which provide entrance to more than 18 author programs year-round. These tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at www.showpass.com/jewish-book-festival-all-access-pass-3/.