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Staff

Jewish Book Council Staff:

Carolyn Starman Hessel - Director

Carolyn joined the Jewish Book Council in 1994, when the JBC, originally created in 1941, became an independent organization . Since then she has been named to the Forward 50 five times for her work in Jewish literature. In 1999, she founded the Jewish Book Network, a popular program that currently tours over 200 authors to hundreds of Jewish book programs around the country. Carolyn initiates and encourages new programs to meet the changing needs and interests of its many constituents. She mentors new authors while also working with literary agents and publishers to help heighten awareness and strengthen the world of Jewish literature in North America. 

Miri joined the JBC team in Winter, 2004 upon graduating from Brandeis University. Originally from Philadelphia, she has lived and studied in Israel and London.  Prior to working with JBC, she interned for the Jewish Publication Society. Miri's major focus is the JBC Network program, which sends over 200 authors on tour to over 100 sites around the country. She guides book fair coordinators around the country in programming and scheduling. Miri also oversees all JBC conferences and Jewish Book Month. 

Carol Kaufman - Editor,

Carol joined the JBC as the editor of Jewish Book World in 2003, shortly after her son’s bar mitzvah. Before having a family she held positions as an editor and copywriter and is the author of two books on tennis and other racquet sports. She is a native New Yorker and a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a BA and MA in English.

Naomi Firestone-Teeter - Director of Web and Publications

Originally from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Naomi joined the JBC staff in 2006. She graduated from Emory University with degrees in English and Art History and studied at University College London.  Naomi serves as the editor of the JBC website and managing editor of Jewish Book World. She also started and maintains the JBC blog and Twitter feed, and developed the JBC/MJL guest blogging series and Twitter Book Club.

Joyce Lit - JBC Network Associate

Joyce Lit joined the JBC staff in 2005 after working in the JCC field in Texas for over 25 years. She held positions in Houston, San Antonio and Austin in the Cultural Arts departments teaching theater and dramatic arts classes, directing Performing Arts Camp and was a book fair coordinator. A graduate of Arizona State University with a BA in Theater, Joyce finally gets to use her training in Readers Theater to prepare authors for the Meet the Author NETWORK events. Joyce also works closely with Miri on expanding and coordinating author tours through JBC.

Sharon Bruce - Program Associate

As a little girl, Sharon's favorite books were all about adventures-- Curious George and Nancy Drew stole her attention away from most other hobbies. Her real-life adventures began after college graduation from NYU, where she took her Literature degree on the road to Europe and the Middle East for two years to teach English. Sharon returned to New York where she worked as Publicist and Community Manager for JDub Records. She currently holds the position of Program Associate with the JBC, where she focuses on the Sami Rohr Prize for Jewish Literature and coordinates the National Jewish Book Awards.

Dani Crickman - Artistic Director

Dani joined the Jewish Book Council in the summer of 2010 after graduating from college. She earned her BA in English and Women’s Studies from Skidmore and studied abroad at Sophia University in Tokyo.


 Michal Malen - Children's Editor, Jewish Book World

Michal Hoschander Malen is the editor of the children's book review section of Jewish Book World and the librarian at the North Shore Hebrew Academy middle and elementary schools. She has lectured on a variety of topics relating to children and books and her greatest joy is reading to her grandchildren on both sides of the ocean. Michal lives in Great Neck, NY and Efrat, Israel.

Mimi Frank - Board Liaison

Mimi is the Secretary of the Jewish Book Council as well as the Special Events Coordinator. She is Chairperson of the National Jewish Book Awards ceremony. She is a life member of Hadassah and Past-President of Hillcrest Hadassah. Mimi has been honored by State of Israel Bonds, UJA-Federation, Hillcrest Hadassah and received the Outstanding Parent Volunteer Award from her children’s public school.