Seven sessions we want to hear at MJBW

Melbourne Jewish Book Week (MJBW) director Debbie Lee says this year's theme of belonging is particularly timely.

"It reflects where we are as a community – there is a real desire to feel connected," she says. “The common denominator is our Jewishness – a sustained sense of identity, and yes, even joy in bleak times.”

That doesn't mean every session at the festival will be easy listening, she warns. “We don't shy away from hard-hitting topics: the demise of journalism, Holocaust revisionism and child sexual abuse; we have much discussion around family, mental health and resilience; and we showcase international perspectives with Eleanor Reissa, Hila Blum and Marina Benjamin."

Here are The Jewish Independent's picks of seven not-to-miss sessions at the 2024 Melbourne Jewish Book Week Festival.

For a tasting board: MJBW Opening Night Gala

Setting the stage for this year’s festival is a theatrical night celebrating the creatives that comprises selections from the diverse 2024 program.

Intertwining the theme ‘Of Ghosts and Golems’, the gala showcases international authors alongside local writers and performers including Bram Presser, Arnold Zable, Alex Skovron, Tami Sussman and Evelyn Krape. The event is hosted and curated by award-winning author and playwright Elise Esther Hearst, author of One Day We’re All Going To Die, A Very Jewish Christmas Carol and, with Gary Abrahams and Galit Klas, the Australian production of Isaac Bashev's Singer's Yentl). Artworks by Anita Lester and live music also feature.

For an identity interrogation: On Being Jewish

While Michael Gawenda’s arresting memoir, My Life as a Jew, preceded the traumatic October 7 Hamas attack and resultant war in Gaza, it anticipated the difficult questions that have been amplifed over the past year.

In this session, the former Age Editor will sit down with former colleague, journalist and speechwriter James Button, for an honest conversation about being Jewish means for him.

For book lovers: The Beth Din of Books

Now an annual fixture of MJBW, The Beth Din of Books brings together well-known writers and literary critics to reflect on the best new Jewish titles, helping bookworms to discover their next favourite read.

This often fun and irreverent session will be led this year by author of the award-winning The Book of Dirt, Bram Presser; writer, critic and interviewer Tali Lavi; and editor, writer and digital producer at The Age, Elissa Goldstein. As a bonus, the session is free.

For a poignant reflection: Mark Raphael Baker, His Literary and Intellectual Legacy

Historian, teacher and critically acclaimed author Mark Baker left an indelible mark on the Melbourne and Sydney Jewish communities.

In this deeply personal session, high-profile authors, academics and literary powerhouses who knew Baker well – Sarah Krasnostein, David Slucki, Foong Ling Kong, Krystyna Duszniak and Arnold Zable – will reflect on his work and life mission. His widow lawyer Michelle Lesh and her stepfather philosopher Raimond Gaita willread from A Season of Death, Baker’s posthumous memoir, which will be published in October.

For building resilience: Laugh a Little

For a community deeply troubled by the ongoing effects of the Gaza war, Laugh a Little: An exposé on resilience provides much-needed comfort.

Join resilience experts, author and social commentator Kerri Sackville; clinical psychologist Erica Frydenberg; grief and trauma therapist Jana Firestone; and wellbeing author and lecturer Ros Ben-Moshe, as they provide important coping mechanisms to weather the good times and the bad.

From exploring the power of laughter to the importance of alone time and ability to rebuild our foundations when rocked by a crisis, this conversation promises a welcome antidote to our current times.

For curious children: The World According to Idan

This year’s festival has some great options for the little ones in your lives, including this session from award-winning science and children’s writer Idan Ben-Barak.

Ben-Barak’s Do Not Lick This Book! is a staple in homes across the country, and one of his many titles that help kids learn about the world they live in. In this session, the Melbourne-based author will use his microbiology background to teach children about their brain, senses, skin and “other weird things that happen to be true”. Adults accompanying children can attend for free.

For powerful poetry: Revelations

In Revelations: Poetry as Performance, four poets of diverse background, experience and subject matter reveal the inner workings of their process to creating harmonious and affecting prose.

Facilitated by poet Shoshy Rockman, speakers include Polish-born author of seven poetry collections Alex Skovron; writer Louise Helfgott; editor and vice president of poetry community Flying Island, Magdalena Ball; and writer and photographer Eva Collins.

The 2024 Melbourne Jewish Book Week Festival runs from 17 to 21 August. Find out more and purchase tickets online.