The Katz’s JCC’s Annual Festival of Arts, Books and Culture brings together thousands of individuals, families, and artists to revel in the rich tapestry of Jewish heritage and creativity.
Festival Schedule:
Barbara Finkelstein & Séamus McElearney
10:00AM - Lahn Social Hall
Flipping Capo: How the FBI Dismantled the Real Sopranos
In his early FBI days, Séamus McElearney went from transcribing mob wiretaps to helping arrest 39 mafia suspects, including DeCavalcante soldier Anthony Capo. Within a week, he made history by flipping Capo, who confessed to murders and conspiracies and agreed to aid the government. Their unlikely alliance exposed a vast criminal network, leading to RICO convictions of the entire DeCavalcante hierarchy—the “real Sopranos.”
Tickets: Member: $18, Guest: $22
Joshua S. Levy
11:00AM - Kellman Brown Academy
Finn and Ezra’s Bar Mitzvah Time Loop
Two bar mitzvah boys, Finn and Ezra, find themselves stuck reliving their big day over and over, Groundhog Day–style. Though strangers at first, they bond while trying to escape the loop. Finn, an only child from a secular family, and Ezra, from a large, traditional family, learn empathy and appreciation for each other’s differences. Their growing friendship and understanding ultimately free them from the frustrating cycle.
Tickets: Member: $18, Guest: $22
Barry Joseph
2:00PM - Lahn Social Hall
Matching Minds with Sondheim: The Puzzles and Games of the Broadway Legend
Explores the lesser-known passion of Stephen Sondheim for puzzles and games, revealing how his playful creativity extended beyond musical theater. Drawing on rare materials and interviews, Barry Joseph invites readers to experience Sondheim’s inventive puzzles and the joy they brought to his collaborators
Tickets: Member: $18, Guest: $22
Community-Wide Kristallnacht Observance
Debórah Dwork
7:00PM - Lahn Social Hall
Saints and Liars: The Story of Americans Who Saved Refugees From the Nazis
Historian Debórah Dwork chronicles the courageous efforts of American aid workers like Martha and Waitstill Sharp who risked everything to rescue Jews and dissidents across Europe and beyond during WWII. Drawing on extensive archives, the book reveals the moral complexities and perilous decisions faced amid the refugee crisis and Nazi pursuit.
Free and open to the community. Registration required.
Held in partnership with Esther Raab Holocaust Museum & Goodwin Education Center
Additional Dates:
