Seven SJWF sessions we’re excited about

The Sydney Jewish Writers Festival (SJWF) is back for 2024, this year boasting an impressive program of international speakers, up-and-coming writers and award-winning works.

Speaking to The Jewish Independent, SJWF director Anna Stern said it was an “honour” to curate this year’s festival, which interweaves the theme Genesis and its associations with creation, family and new beginnings.

“I’m thrilled to showcase some excellent international writers and thinkers, and to support and promote the works of local Australian writers,” Stern said.

“There are some special events at this year’s festival that I’m particularly looking forward to: announcing the winners of the inaugural Shalom Australian Jewish Book Awards on the final night of SJWF, a number of creative workshops, and two art exhibitions with works by guest authors.”

Here are seven sessions we’re looking forward to attending at this year’s Sydney Jewish Writers Festival.

1: The Jewish Books That Made Me

In this session, authors, academics and literary thinkers will unpack the writers who inspire them and the books they love returning to – leaving audiences with a curated Jewish reading list by some of the best in the business.

Moderated by passionate bibliophile Scott Whitmont, the panel includes Rabbi Dr Ariel Burger (Witness), Julia Levitina (The Girl From Moscow), Dr Lee Kofman (The Writer Laid Bare), Dr Nathan Wolski (The Hidden Farmacopeia), Marina Kamenev (Kin) and Miriam Hechtman (The Alphabet of Women). Plus, this session is free.