JLF banner 2025

The South African Jewish Literary Festival (JLF) is a one-day smorgasbord for lovers of literature, current affairs, and thought-provoking dialogue. Our fifth festival since its 2016 inception will be in held in Cape Town on Freedom Day, 28 April, 2025. The JLF is a bi-annual event for readers and writers of books with a Jewish connection across all genres.

JLF aims to foster constructive discussion without promoting any political, religious or other agenda. Multiple sessions run concurrently throughout the day, offering a literal plethora of choices to suit a wide variety of tastes. The Festival partners with the acclaimed Jacob Gitlin Library, SA Jewish Museum, and Cape Town Holocaust and Genocide Centre. Wordsworth Books will operate a pop-up bookshop on the day and should be able to offer every writer’s book.

The festival enhances the Cape Town Jewish experience for readers and writers of all ages across a wide spectrum of genres without promoting any political or religious agenda. Our writers are either Jewish themselves, have a strong connection to the Jewish community or have chosen to write about Jews or Judaism. Festival goers will have the opportunity to talk directly to writers and fellow readers alike, playing an integral role in powering-up this otherwise under-represented category in the local publishing arena.

The festival volunteers are excited to curate a programme that promotes real conversations in the tradition and spirit of Jewish life.
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ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

The 2023 South African Jewish Literary Festival (JLF) will be our fourth since its 2016 inception and we are so excited to be back in person after JLF 2020 was forced online during the Covid-19 onslaught.

OUR TEAM

OUR TEAM

In an effort to bring you fresh and diverse voices, the team has pulled together new and exciting as well as longstanding favourites.

GALLERY

GALLERY

View images from our past events.

See our partners and sponsors for the 2025 event