Jewish Experiences, a collaboration of Jewish Federation and The J, has announced the lineup for its 2026–27 Acclaimed Author Series. The series is supported by the Sam Schultz Jewish Book Fair Fund.
This year’s series features nationally recognized authors and speakers who will explore themes of Jewish history and culture through exploration of our past, rooting ourselves in the present and planting seeds for the future.
“I am beyond excited to bring authors who challenge us to think about the state of our world today, bring back stories of nostalgic authors of our youth, and explore Jewish heritage and culture through creativity and storytelling,” said Molly Hess, director of Jewish Experiences. “This year we are looking at the full breadth of what it means to experience being Jewish through food, art, and wrestling with ideas that challenge us to think beyond our community."
This season's authors and books include:
James Loeffler: “Exceptional Hatred: Antisemitism and the Fight over Free Speech in Modern America.”
Loeffler will speak on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, at 7 p.m. in the Heritage Lounge on The Jewish Community Campus in a discussion moderated by Daniel Singer.
His book explores how America’s courts have grappled with antisemitism, hate speech and freedom. Through events including antisemitic riots in postwar Chicago, the proposed neo-Nazi march in Skokie, Illinois, and the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, Loeffler examines the tensions between protecting free speech and confronting hatred.
Loeffler is the Felix Posen Professor of Modern Jewish History at Johns Hopkins University, where he directs the Leonard and Helen R. Stulman Program in Jewish Studies. He is also a Kogod Senior Research Fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America. His writing explores modern Jewish history and its connections to politics, law and culture.
Mark Oppenheimer: "Judy Blume - A Life"
Oppenheimer will speak on Wednesday, Dec. 16, from 7-9 p.m. Location and moderator will be announced in the fall.
His book explores the life and legacy of Judy Blume, whose candid portrayals of adolescence helped reshape literature for young readers. Drawing on extensive interviews with Blume, her papers and correspondence, and her published and unpublished works, Oppenheimer traces her upbringing, personal relationships and literary career. The biography also examines her enduring role as a champion of free speech.
A journalist and historian, Oppenheimer teaches at the John C. Danforth Center on Religion and Politics at Washington University in St. Louis and edits the magazine Arc: Religion, Politics, Et Cetera. He previously wrote the Beliefs column for The New York Times.
Amanda Kingloff: The Art of Jewish Joy"
Kingloff will speak during her Artist in Residence Weekend, Jan. 22–24.
As artist in residence, Kingloff will lead art workshops throughout Kansas City’s Jewish community focused on Tu B’Shevat. Using projects from her book “The Art of Jewish Joy,” participants will explore the holiday’s theme of discovering what lies beneath the surface.
Her book explores the Jewish holidays through crafts for families, friends and communities to enjoy together. Following the Jewish year from Rosh Hashanah to Passover, the guide pairs hands-on activities with reflections on each holiday’s meaning. It offers new ways to celebrate and build traditions through creativity.
Kingloff is the creator of ProjectKid, a brand that helps families explore hands-on creativity, and the former lifestyle director at Parents magazine. She is the author of several craft books, including “Project Kid” and “Project Kid: Crafts That Go!” Her experiences exploring Jewish holidays with her children inspired her to connect creativity with identity and tradition.
Jeffrey L. Katz: "Unsettled Ground Reflections on Germany's Attempt to Make Amends"
Katz will speak on Tuesday, Feb. 9, at 7 p.m. in the Heritage Lounge at The Jewish Community Campus. Presented in partnership with the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education, the event will feature Katz in conversation with Dr. Shelly Cline.
His book explores Germany’s efforts to confront its Nazi past through the work of local citizen activists. Many were non-Jewish Germans born after World War II who challenged silence and denial to uncover what happened in their hometowns. As a descendant of Germany’s former Jewish communities, Katz shares his experiences returning to his ancestral homeland and connecting with those working to preserve its history.
Katz is a veteran journalist, editor and digital strategist with experience in newspapers, magazines, radio and online journalism. His visits to Germany to explore his family’s roots and meet members of the remembrance movement helped shape his book. His reporting on Germany’s reconciliation efforts has appeared in NPR, Moment Magazine and various newspapers.
Leah Eskin: "Like Wafers in Honey"
Eskin will speak on Wednesday, April 7 at 7 p.m. in Heritage. The moderator will be announced this winter.
Her debut novel follows Stella, a Jewish girl whose family must flee their home in Pitigliano, Italy, amid Nazi and Fascist persecution in 1943. It also tells the story of Edda, a Westchester housewife working to preserve Italian Jewish cuisine. Through their stories and accompanying recipes, Eskin explores how food, memory and storytelling help preserve cultural traditions.
Eskin is a food writer and the author of the memoir “Slices of Life: A Food Writer Cooks Through Many a Conundrum.” She has written for the Chicago Tribune and writes the desserts column for Midwest Living.
More information about the series is available at thejkc.org/AAS or by contacting Hess at or (913) 327-8035.
