Jewish Arts & Bookfest Brings Together 30+ Storytellers and Artists for One-Day Festival in Downtown Berkeley

UC Berkeley’s Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life is excited to share details for the upcoming 2026 Jewish Arts & Bookfest, taking place Sunday, May 3, 2026, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm in Downtown Berkeley. The festival is presented in partnership with J. The Jewish News of Northern California, JCC East Bay, New Lehrhaus, and the Jewish Community Library.

Celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month, the Jewish Arts & Bookfest brings together a diverse line-up of over 30 authors, artists, and performers to showcase Jewish culture through storytelling, panel discussions, and hands-on workshops. 

“The Jewish Arts & Bookfest provides remarkable access to some of the most creative minds documenting and shaping Jewish culture regionally and nationally today. ” Magnes Executive Director Hannah Weisman noted. “Storytellers and artists put words, images, and movement to ideas and emotions that we may not be able to articulate on our own. From explorations of intersecting identities to reflections on the power of solidarity, this year’s presenters will share their creative work to uplift Jewish stories, celebrate the diversity of the Jewish community, and spark new perspectives on Jewish American life.”

From explorations of intersecting identities to reflections on the power of solidarity, this year’s presenters will share their creative work to uplift Jewish stories, celebrate the diversity of the Jewish community, and spark new perspectives on Jewish American life.” — Hannah Weisman, Executive Director of the Magnes

2026 Jewish Arts & Bookfest Highlights:

Headliner: Emmy-winning filmmaker Jacob Kornbluth, renowned civil rights strategist Eric K. Ward, and activist Dion Garcia reflect on insights from 1980s punk culture in confronting the rise of antisemitism and hate in society today.

Wide-ranging Panel Sessions: Topics range from the intersection of Jewish, Latin, and Arab identities to Torah in the Tarot and from Soviet Jewish stories to diversity in American comic books

Vibrant Performances: Step into the Parisian salons of the Steins with a dramatic reading or get a front-row seat to “the world’s only Indian Jewish stand-up comedian.”

Creative Discussions & Readings: Explore Yiddish literature and visual symbols, get an inside look at the award-winning film Among Neighbors, or join discussions on whether a poem can be Jewish and how Jewish authors and illustrators revolutionized children’s picture books.

Family-Friendly Series: In partnership with the JCC East Bay, the festival offers programming for families with children, including portrait photography, bookmaking, and papercut art.

In addition to the scheduled programming, the Festival Shuk [Marketplace] will feature a pop-up shop from Berkeley’s Afikomen Judaica, the official festival bookseller, and over 20 local community groups, artists, and authors. A kosher middle-eastern food truck will be stationed outside the museum throughout the event.

Ticket Information

• Adults: $40 (Use promo code EarlyB5 for a $5 discount)
• Youth (under 18): $5
• Students: $5 (ID required for students)
• Museums for All: $5 (Available with EBT/SNAP card)

Volunteers are needed for the festival! Individuals who volunteer for a two hour shift will receive free admission for the full event. More information and the volunteer interest form can be found at forms.gle/XeyaEpdK9eFbZENT6.

For more information on the full schedule of sessions, please visit the Jewish Arts & Bookfest website at magnes.berkeley.edu/jewish-arts-and-bookfest and follow us on Instagram at @jewishartsbookfest.

About the Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life, UC Berkeley

Located in downtown Berkeley, just steps from campus, the museum and research center is home to one of the world’s preeminent collections of Jewish art and life. The Magnes generates new knowledge and understanding of Jewish cultures with and for its academic and public audiences through its collections-based exhibitions and programs.