The St. Louis Jewish Book Festival and Speakers Series proudly announces its 47th annual season, showcasing an extraordinary lineup of speakers and storytellers that celebrate Jewish voices and stories from across the globe. This year’s season officially kicks off in September 2025 and runs through February 2026, with the traditional Festival Week taking place November 2–9, 2025.

Among the highlights of this season are four headlining events:

  • October 9 – Eli Sharabi
    Former hostage Eli Sharabi will share a powerful and deeply personal address on resilience, grief, and hope. Held by Hamas for 491 days, Sharabi has emerged as a global symbol of strength and resolve. He will share insights from his harrowing experience and introduce his new book, “Hostage.”
  • November 8 – Joshua Malina
    Actor and podcaster Joshua Malina, beloved for his roles in “The West Wing” and “Scandal,” joins us for an evening of candid conversation and sharp wit. A passionate advocate for Jewish representation in the entertainment industry, Malina brings his trademark humor and insight to St. Louis for an unforgettable night.
  • November 17 – Hunter Prosper
    Viral storyteller and nurse Hunter Prosper, known for his heart-touching TikTok series “Stories from a Stranger,” presents his debut book “Stories from a Stranger: Every Person has a Story,” a collection of intimate, human-centered narratives drawn from his social media interviews and beyond.
  • December 6 – Nate Berkus
    Acclaimed interior designer and television personality Nate Berkus will share stories from his design career and personal journey, along with insights from his newest work, “Foundations,” focused on his personal tenets for creating a thoughtful and meaningful home.

This year, the St. Louis Jewish Book Festival is also proud to announce exciting new partnerships with two of the city’s most esteemed cultural institutions: the Missouri Botanical Garden and the St. Louis Art Museum, further expanding the festival’s reach and programming into new, engaging spaces. These collaborations join our ongoing partnership with the St. Louis County Library – Clark Family Branch, ensuring broader access and deeper community connection throughout the region.

Those who want the full St. Louis Jewish Book Festival experience can purchase All-Access Passes, which provide entrance to more than 25 author programs year-round. This year, JBF is introducing a new 40 and Under Pass, which will give the same features, but at a discounted rate of $75 dollars for those 40 years of age and under! All-Access Passes will be on sale starting August 17 and can be purchased at jccstl.com/jbf-tickets.

A complete schedule of events and individual ticket information will be announced in early September. Most events will take place at the Jewish Community Center in Creve Coeur, with select programs hosted at partner venues throughout the city.

For media inquiries, event details, or to request interviews with participating authors, please contact Jessica Fischoff.

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ABOUT THE J:

The J is an interactive, multi-generational gathering place that offers a variety of programs and services to both the St. Louis Jewish community and the community at large. The Jewish Community Center provides educational, cultural, social, Jewish identity-building and recreational programming and offers two state-of-the-art fitness facilities designed to promote physical and spiritual growth. Everyone is welcome at the J.