Sci-Fi, Sci-Fi in Space

Planet of the Jews is a story within a story. After all, when Judah Loeb, a New York comic book editor, receives a manuscript from a strange Hasidic couple, he thinks nothing of it. Until he reads it. Then, suddenly, Judah is caught up in an enchanting sci-fi fable of the future, a time when Jews, once again, are persecuted and driven not only out of their lands, but off Earth and onto a strange new world. Not only do the characters in this story (and its sequels) mirror Judah’s life, but they provide him with material that becomes the best selling comic novels of all time. What makes Planet of the Jews so fascinating is its unique format—not only do you read Judah’s story, but you read the story. And not only is Judah’s story interesting, but the plight of the thousands of Jews who must live and thrive so far away is unlike anything you’ve ever read.

This collection of books featuring Jewish main characters is decidedly non-comprehensive. As we come across books that are described as having Jewish main characters, we add them to this database. The creators of the Jewish Genre Reading Challenge have not read all (or even most) of the books in this database. We have gathered information from many sources and not all may be accurate. Inclusion of a book in our database does not imply endorsement or approval. There is always the possibility that antisemitism may be present in a book, either written into a character's experience or through malicious or ignorant caricature or stereotypical portrayal of Jewish characters and culture. Please take care of yourselves as you read. 

PLEASE let us know if you encounter a book in this database that does not have a Jewish main character, if you have corrections or additions for a book's genre categories, or if you have any other concerns about the inclusion of a particular book in this database.