The JCC’s 21st annual Ann Katz Festival of Books & Arts, presented by the Herbert Simon Family Foundation, is made possible in part by generous ongoing support from the Irwin and Ann Katz Cultural Arts and Education Endowment Fund.

See more, save more of the three-week festival featuring local, national and international authors, films and filmmakers, performing artists and fine artists, with the Festival Pass. Just $60 and good for general admission to all events.*

Please note: Tickets are available for purchase at the door unless the event is sold out.

Kickoff is Wed, Oct 23 | 7 pm | J.J. Goldberg and Jonathan Tobin “Left vs. Right: The Battle for the Soul of American Jewry”

Moderated by Jeff Smulyan (Chairman, CEO and Founder, Emmis Communications)

Jonathan S. Tobin, editor-in-chief of the Jewish News Syndicate and columnist for the National Review, New York Post, Federalist and Haaretz, and J.J. Goldberg, editor-at-large of The Forward and former U.S. bureau chief of the Israeli news magazine The Jerusalem Report, will debate critical issues concerning American Jewry and Israel.

Sponsored by Jeff, Jenni z"l and Philip Berebitsky and Presented by the Indianapolis Jewish Community Relations Council

Thu, Oct 24  |  5 pm Happy Hour, 6 pm Speaker | Melissa Rappaport Schifman, Building a Sustainable Home: Practical Green Choices for Your Health, Wealth and Soul

Schifman is the founder of Green Intention LLC and a LEED Accredited Professional. She presents an accessible, simplified approach to creating a sustainable home.

Thu, Oct 24  |  5–9:30 pm | Tiny House VIP Preview Party

Fri, Oct 25–Sun, Oct 27 | Tiny House Roadshow II: Home is Where the Harvest Is

Sun, Oct 27  |  2 pm | Kristyn Ivey, of For the Love of Tidy, LLC

Ivey is Chicago’s first Platinum professional organizing consultancy specializing in the KonMari Method™.  KonMari is the organization founded by Marie Kondo of Netflix's Tidying Up, a show inspiring people to choose joy in the life-changing magic of tidying up.

Mon, Oct 28 | 7 pm | Edward Berenson The Accusation

Professor of History at NYU, Edward Berenson, will discuss the only case of blood libel in the United States as well as current issues surrounding antisemitism. His book, The Accusation: Blood Libel in an American Town, discusses the 1928 case. “The Accusation is a shocking and perceptive cross-cultural exploration of American and European responses to antisemitism.”

Wed, Oct 30 | 5:30 pm | Forrest Formsma, Laundered Symbol (art gallery reception)

This free art gallery reception is an exploration of the dynamic interplay between written communication and visual form. From Forrest: “My paintings are poetic expressions that transcend what I see and feel. I create a visual representation of the moment and subject that is as much about the paint and process as the subject itself.”

Wed, Oct 30  |  7 pm  | Screening / panel discussion of Joseph Pulitzer: Voice of the People

Welcome filmmaker Oren Rudavsky along with members of the Indiana Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists for a screening of Joseph Pulitzer: Voice of the People, followed by a panel discussion about the history of print news, the beginning of fake news, and the lasting impact of Pulitzer on today’s news media.

Sponsored by the Indiana Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists

Sat, Nov 2 | 8 pm | Fiddler on the Roof jazz concert

Renowned saxophone player Rob Dixon leads a group of musicians in a jazz concert featuring music from the well-loved musical Fiddler on the Roof. A Jazz at the J Unity Project program, in partnership with Indy Jazz Fest and the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation. Sponsored by the Efroymson Family Fund and JCC Friends of the Arts.

For Families: Sun, Nov 3 | 11 am | Celebrating with Curious George

Hosted in the Domont Auditorium at the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis (JFGI)’s Center for Jewish Engagement and Learning. Learn about winter holidays through hands-on STEM activities, grab a bite from food trucks parked outside and enjoy a visit from the Man in the Yellow Hat and Curious George himself!

At 2:30 pm, bring a blanket, grab some popcorn and stick around for a picnic-style viewing of the family-friendly documentary Monkey Business: The Adventures of Curious George’s Creators in the JCC's Laikin Auditorium.

In partnership with JFGI, CANDLES Holocaust Museum and Education Center and WFYI.

Wed, Nov 6 | 7 pm | Rabbi Sandy Sasso “Through the Looking Glass: Writing for Kids on Spiritual Matters”

In conversation with Jackie Nytes, CEO of Indianapolis Public Library.

Sandy Sasso is the author of several nationally acclaimed children's books, including God's Paintbrush, Adam and Eve's First Sunset and In God's Name. She currently is the director of the Religion, Spirituality and the Arts Initiative.

Sponsored by Congregation Beth-El Zedeck. Due to an anonymous subsidy, this program is FREE to the community.

Thu, Nov 7 | 7 pm | Dennis Ross Be Strong and of Good Courage

Dennis Ross is an American diplomat and author. He has served under President George H.W. Bush, President Bill Clinton, and President Barack Obama and is a world-renowned expert on Middle East politics. His newest book, Be Strong and of Good Courage: How Israel's Most Important Leaders Shaped Its Destiny, came out September 3, 2019.

Please note that the location for this event is at Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation (6501 N Meridian St)

Sponsored by Diane and John Abrams (Abrams EyeCare Associates), Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation and the Indianapolis Jewish Community Relations Council.

Sat, Nov 9 | 8 pm | Heartland Film Award Winning Shorts

Heartland Film Festival presents a selection of award-winning shorts. Sponsored by The National Bank of Indianapolis.

Films include:

Hors Piste (Best Student Film; dir. Leo Brunel, Loris Cavalier, Camille Jalabert, Oscar Malet / 6 min / France) The two best rescue workers of the region are ready for their new mission. Despite their professionalism and their determination, it will not go as planned...

Brotherhood (Best Narrative Short, Academy Award-qualifying; dir. Meryam Joobeur / 25 min / Tunisia, Canada, Qatar, Sweden) Mohamed is a hardened shepherd living in rural Tunisia with his wife and two sons. He is deeply shaken when his oldest son Malik returns home after a long journey with a mysterious new wife in tow. Tension between father and son rises over three days until reaching a breaking point.

In the Absence (Audience Choice, Documentary Short; dir. Yi Seung-Jun / 29 min / USA, South Korea) When the MV Sewol ferry sank off the coast of South Korea in 2014, over 300 people lost their lives, most of them schoolchildren. Years later, the victims’ families and survivors are still demanding justice from national authorities.

St. Louis Superman (Best Documentary Short, Academy Award-qualifying, Jenni Berebitsky Legacy Award winner; dir. Sami Khan, Smitri Mundhra / 26 min / USA) Bruce Franks Jr., a Ferguson activist and battle rapper who was elected to the overwhelmingly white and Republican Missouri House of Representatives, must overcome both personal trauma and political obstacles to pass a bill critical for his community.

El Astronauta (Audience Choice, Narrative Short; dir. Manuel Trotta / 18 min / Venezuela, Mexico, USA) Beto must help his father fulfill his only desire: to reach the moon to say goodbye to his beloved late wife.

Sun, Nov 10 | 2 pm | Spirit & Place Festival performance The World We Live(d) In

Explore the evolution of this community's ideas, values and revolutionary thoughts via a juxtaposition of yesterday's and today's social justice climate interpreted through poetry and dance. The Indiana Writers Center will present an anthology of historic poetry from their literary journal Flying Island and contemporary writing submitted by Central Indiana residents, which Dance Kaleidoscope dancers will visually compare through original choreography. Performance attendees will also have the opportunity to create their own "blackout" or "book" poems in a guided art-making experience with Indianapolis Art Center teaching artists.

The event is free. To RSVP, visit The World We Live(d) In

Presented by JCC Indianapolis, Indianapolis Jewish Community Relations Council, Dance Kaleidoscope, Indiana Writers Center and Indianapolis Art Center. Sponsored by Penrod Society, Ltd and PEN America.

Mon, Nov 11 | 7 pm | Ronald Balson The Girl from Berlin

*** PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO WEATHER AND THE CANCELLATION OF THE AUTHOR'S FLIGHT, THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR WED, NOV 13. ***

This year's "Community Reads" New York Times best-selling author Ronald Balson will talk about his historical mystery novel, The Girl from Berlin, winner of the 2018 National Jewish Book Award for the Book Club category. Balson is a trial attorney, educator and writer whose work and travels have taken him across the globe.

Tue, Nov 12 | 7 pm | Celebrating Eva Kor

A celebration of the life and memory of Eva Kor. Join the community in sharing her impact on the world following a screening of Eva A-7063. In partnership with Ted Green Films, WFYI and CANDLES Holocaust Museum and Education Center. Donations to CANDLES and the WFYI-Ted Green Films Eva Education Program accepted.

*Festival Pass does not include Tiny House events, Fiddler on the Roof jazz concert or VIP programs.