It was a perfect Sunday in New York City, as thousands of book-lovers took in the last of summer’s breezes while visiting the Fifth Avenue Street Fair—the nation’s premier book festival. For the Lubavitch Publishing House, Kehot Publication Society, the New York Is Book Country fair could not have come at a better time.
With Rosh Hashana less than a week away, hundreds were drawn to the Lubavitch book exhibit, which included an eclectic variety of books of Jewish interest. “There was a lot of interest in books on Rosh Hashana and the festivals,” says Rabbi Yonasan Gordon who manned the booth. And a good number of sales. Most popular for children (and adults as well!) was “A Touch of the High Holidays” board book, which quickly sold out. The “Spice and Spirit of Kosher Jewish Cooking” was another best seller, and many took an interest in the books on the Chasidic dimension of Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur and Sukkot.
The Fair, which draws an estimated 250,000, included some 200 exhibits. The five-day literary festival culminates in the signature event—the Fifth Avenue Street Fair.
Kehot has exhibited at the Fair in the past, always to rewarding feedback. “As in past years, people are always gratified to find our books on exhibit at this fair,” observes Rabbi Yosef B. Friedman, of Kehot. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for many who may not be familiar with Jewish titles to discover literature on Jewish themes they’ve been unaware of.”
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