The Jewish Book Council was founded in 1947, with the first Jewish Book Week held in 1952. Since then, we have presented a festival every year, including our first online festival during the pandemic and hybrid festivals since. Today, we are the Jewish Literary Foundation, the UK’s leading platform for Jewish writing and ideas.  

Our activities include one of the world’s longest-running annual literary festivals, Book Week, and an online digital platform with almost 1,000 hours of video content, a growing set of programmes for schools and emerging writers, and a varied programme of events throughout the year in London, across other major UK cities, and online. Our ambition is to spread the awareness and recognition of the best in ideas and great Jewish writing to as wide an audience as possible.

Book Week festival

London’s longest running literary festival, established in 1952, bringing world-renowned writers and brand-new voices from across the world together with audiences in London and online.

Awards and prizes

A number of awards and prizes to support the dissemination and reach of Jewish writing and ideas. 

Education and mentoring programmes

Programmes that bring young minds and authors together across schools in London, and support emerging writers to launch their careers.

JLF Player

Our growing online digital archive offers almost 1,000 hours of content from the world’s leading thinkers, available to watch for free.