PAULA GRIBETZ GOTTL IEB
JWB Jewish Book Council
1989-1990
t h e p a s t y e a r w a s o n e
o f unprecedented growth for the Jewish
Book Council and increased cooperation with other Jewish or
ganizations. We started the year once again by participating in
two successful book festivals — New York is Book Country and
the Fourth Jewish Heritage Book Festival. In 1989, the Council
sponsored an exciting conference, “ Probing the Psyche o f the
American Jewish Writer,” in cooperation with the Commission
on Synagogue Relations o f the UJA-Federation. The Book
Council entered into an innovative arrangement with the Jewish
Telegraphic Agency to increase distribution o f “Jewish Books
in Review” a syndicated book review service. Sales o f Jewish
Book Month Kits and publications exceeded last year’s numbers
and the National Jewish Book Awards ceremony attracted a rec
ord number o f people.
LOCAL BOOK FESTIVALS
The Jewish Book Council participated in New York is Book
Country on September 17, 1989. In addition to distributing
Book Council program materials, brochures, posters and book
marks, staff at the booth answered questions from hundreds
o f visitors who wanted to know about the work o f the Council.
Many o f them signed up for
Jewish Book World
subscriptions
and invitations to the Book Council conference “ Probing the
Psyche o f the American Jewish Writer.”
The Fourth New York Heritage Book Festival, sponsored by
the Associated YM -YWHAs o f Greater New York on November
19 —20, was a success for the Book Council. Once again pub
lishers demonstrated their commitment to Jewish book publish
ing by turning out in great numbers. The exhibitors at the Fair
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