The Jewish Community Center's 21st annual Ann Katz Festival of Books and Arts is October 23 to November 13, 2019. It is presented by the Herbert Simon Family Foundation with generous annual support from the Irwin and Ann Katz Cultural Arts and Education Endowment Fund

Hanna Fogel, who is a Content Creator and Editor at the JCC, said, "Ann Katz was the wife of Irwin (Irv) Katz (1919-2015). Irv was a founding partner of the law firm Katz, Sapper & Miller and was devoted to the JCC for more than 70 years. He was the only board president to serve two consecutive terms, leading the JCC at a pivotal time after World War II when the organization was raising funds to purchase land and construct the current facility. Irv also led the board of the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis (1972-75). This is the 21st Ann Katz Festival of Books & Arts, which means the first one would have been in 1998, but it transformed from a one-week book fair to a major three-week cultural arts event when in 2000, Irv made a significant commitment to an annual contribution over a 15-year time period. During his lifetime, Irv also financially supported the growth of adult continuing education programs at the JCC. In 2017, Irv and Ann Katz's children established the Irwin and Ann Katz Cultural Arts and Education Endowment Fund (representing the largest-ever endowment gift given to the JCC), which will provide funding of about $35,000 every year to support JCC arts programming. Ann Katz herself was a lover of books and the arts."

Most events are $10 per person unless noted otherwise. Attendees may also purchase a $60 Festival Pass, which is good for general admission to all events. The Festival Pass does not include Tiny House events, Fiddler on the Roof jazz concert or VIP programs, however.

The Fiddler on the Roof Jazz Concert featuring Rob Dixon (see below) is Saturday, November 2, 2019, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20. Local saxophone virtuoso Rob Dixon leads a group of musicians in a jazz concert featuring music from the well-loved musical. A Jazz at the JCC Unity Project program, is a partnership with Indy Jazz Fest and the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation for this event. The JCC's Unity Project program's mission is to build respect and understanding between various communities, with a particular focus on the Black and Jewish communities, through the arts and intentional dialogue.

American diplomat and author Dennis Ross will speak on Thursday, November 7, 2019, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 general admission and $65 for a VIP reception. Ross has served under President George H.W. Bush, President Bill Clinton and President Barack Obama. He is a world-renowned expert on Middle East politics. His newest book, Be Strong and of Good Courage: How Israel's Most Important Leaders Shaped Its Destiny, was released September 3rd. He will speak at the Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation at 6501 N. Meridian Street.

Writers include Edward Berenson, author of The Accusation, Rabbi Sandy Sasso, who wrote Through the Looking Glass: Writing for Kids on Spiritual Matters and Ronald Balson, author of The Girl from Berlin, which won a 2018 National Jewish Book Award for the Book Club category. Balson is a trial attorney, educator and writer whose work and travels have taken him across the globe. Berenson is a Professor of History at New York University and Rabbi Sasso has authored several nationally acclaimed children's books, including God's Paintbrush, Adam and Eve's First Sunset and In God's Name. She formerly served as Rabbi of Congregation Beth-EL Zedeck, Indianapolis from 1977 to 2013.

A celebration of the life and memory of Eva Kor is scheduled for Tuesday, November 12 at 7 p.m. with a screening of Eva A-7063 in partnership with Ted Green Films, WFYI and CANDLES Holocaust Museum and Education Center.

The JCC's annual Ann Katz Festival of Books and Arts celebrates their rich heritage and culture with the local community.