Vancouver’s Jewish Book Festival returned this weekend for its 40th year amid the backdrop of the fragile ceasefire in Gaza.

Festival director Dana Camil Hewitt says, much like last year, security around the event has been stepped up as the tensions have only increased.

“The war is not over, and the amount of threats and the level of antisemitism experienced here in Canada has reached incredible, unbelievable levels,” Hewitt said.

“So we are taking security very seriously, and we definitely will have…constant security at the Jewish Community Center.”

She says the event is all about building community.

“And that doesn’t only mean Jewish community; our center has a huge amount of membership of non-Jewish community,” she said.

“We are welcoming everyone. We are open to everyone. We take care of security because others are not as open as we are, but we really welcome everyone. And the subject matter of these books and talks is very often of universal interest.”

The festival opened Saturday night with former BC NDP cabinet minister Selina Robinson, discussing Truth Be Told, her 2024 memoir.

Other featured authors include Benyamin Cohen, who will be talking about The Einstein Effect — How the World’s Favourite Genius Got into Our Cars, Our Bathrooms, and Our Minds.

Actor and comedian Brett Gelman will promote The Terrifying Realm of the Possible: Nearly True Stories to close the event.

The festival runs through Thursday at the Jewish Community Centre and select Lower Mainland venues.