About Us:

The new name for our former JCC Book Festival reflects the evolution of a festival that has been increasingly centered on programs that are interactive, community focused, and inclusive. The name also reflects a shift from “books” to the people that create those books and lead audiences and readers to insight, empathy, and inspiration. Adding the term “innovators” allows us to expand the pool of speakers and events with community and business leaders like Rochester native and former Las Vegas Raiders President Marc Badain and filmmaker Joe Nussbaum, and include visual arts like the area premiere of the Humans of Israel portrait exhibit.