For 28 successful years, the OC Jewish Arts Festival at the Merage Jewish Community Center (Merage JCC) has provided our community with a cultural extravaganza, featuring lauded lineups of authors, musicians, filmmakers, celebrities and influencers. Through the years, we have played host to superstar Matisyahu, famous DC satirists Capitol Steps, Tovah Feldshuh, Dennis Ross, Alan Dershowitz, George Mitchell, Rita Rudner and Ed Asner – just to name a few!

From history to mystery, fact to fiction, politics to religion, and humor to political satire, the OC Jewish Arts Festival’s exceptional repertoire has something to offer to all cultural art lovers.

Exciting headliners are author and filmmaker Jamie Bernstein, daughter of the legendary Leonard Bernstein. Jamie will speak about her book Famous Father Girl: A Memoir of Growing Up Bernstein.

This year features comedian Judy Gold, Saturday Night Live writer Alan Zweibel and comedian Jeff Garlin. They will all contribute their unique brand of comedy during this not so funny time. The line-up includes four of the latest Israeli and foreign films that should not be missed, including the winner of the Ophir Award, Israel’s own Academy Award.

More than a dozen stimulating authors join us including Myla Goldberg, author of the New York Times bestseller “Bea Season”, and Cameron Douglas, son of Michael Douglas and grandson of Kirk Douglas, who discusses his 10 years in prison and his life moving forward. Podcast stars, Stephanie Butnick, Liel Leibovitz, Mark Oppenheimer, hosts of the wildly popular “Unorthodox” promise to lead a rich and entertaining conversation on Jewish elements in the modern world.

Of course, like everything else, things look differently this year. The JCC is offering both online and intimate in-person events. Those who are ready for a bit more socialization in a safe environment may attend the in-person and hybrid (both online and in-person) Festival events. Participants will still have access to the latest cutting-edge cultural arts programs either livestreamed in the comfort of their own homes, or safely distanced in the Merage JCC’s theatre.

Click here for complete schedule of Festival events and to purchase tickets. 

Masks required. Appropriate seating distancing protocol observed.