Heritage Florida Jewish News - Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

As the inaugural event for this year's visiting author series and Central Florida Jewish Book Festival, New York Times bestselling author Brian Kilmeade will be at The Roth Family Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando on Sunday, Nov. 25 at 5:30 p.m. He will be signing his latest book, "Andrew Jackson and the Miracle of New Orleans."

Kilmeade is a Fox News television personality. Weekdays, he co-hosts Fox's morning show, Fox & Friends, along with Steve Doocy and Ainsley Earhardt. He has co-written several fiction and nonfiction books, and hosts the Fox News Radio program Kilmeade and Friends on WDBO radio FM 96.5.

Coming on Friday, Dec. 21 to the series will be Jonathan Weisman, author and deputy Washington editor of the New York Times.

Weisman's book "(((Semitism))): Being Jewish in the Age of Trump," explores the current state of anti-Semitism at the intersection of American culture and politics, addressing the rise of anti-Semitic violence and verbiage since the 2016 election. He provides a look toward the future, and a suggestion of a Jewish community united in defense of the vulnerable, to help us move forward together. At the event, there will be a VIP dinner with Weisman beginning at 6 p.m., and the talk will begin at 7 p.m.

Other authors visiting The Roth Family JCC this year include David Litt, former senior presidential speechwriter for Barack Obama and author of "Thanks Obama"; Leah Rachel Berkowitz, author of the children's book "The World Needs Beautiful Things"; Sally Kohn, CNN commentator and author of "The Opposite of Hate: A Field Guide to Repairing Our Humanity"; B.A. Shapiro, New York Times bestselling author of "The Art Forger" and "The Collector's Apprentice"; and Jenna Blum, New York Times bestselling author of "Those Who Save Us" and "The Lost Family."

These visiting author events, and the three-day Jewish Book Festival in February, feature a lineup of Jewish authors representing a variety of literary styles and backgrounds, including humor, fiction, and contemporary history. The Central Florida Jewish Book Festival and visiting author series are organized in collaboration with Writer's Block Bookstore of Winter Park and the Jewish Book Council.

Keith Dvorchik, CEO of The Roth Family JCC, is excited about the potential these literary events hold for increased presence of arts and culture in the Central Florida Jewish community. "It's thrilling to see this exciting lineup of authors coming to Central Florida and participating in the third annual Central Florida Jewish Book Festival. The Festival itself includes a diverse group of well-regarded authors, while our visiting authors throughout the year provide additional opportunities to engage with some of the best and brightest literary figures of today. I look forward to building on this list as we see an even larger growth in the literary area of Jewish Cultural Arts."

The cost of the literary event with Brian Kilmeade is $20, which includes the book.

The cost of the event with Weismann is: JCC members, $10; nonmembers, $15.

VIP Shabbat dinner ticket price TBA.

Contact LeahS@orlandojcc.org or 407-645-5933 x282.