Dubbed “The Queen of Jewish Romance,” Jean Meltzer is an international bestselling author and the recipient of several writing honors including Amazon Best Romance, Apple Best Book of October, Apple Best Audiobook of the Year, Booklist Top Ten Romances for 2023, a starred review in Kirkus, a starred review in Booklist, and LibraryReads.
Jean’s commitment to uplifting Jewish stories and voices has made her a leading figure in Jewish literary advocacy. She is the Founder and CEO of Jewish Joy, the umbrella organization to Jewish Women Talk About Romance Books, The Jewish Joy Book Club, The Jewish Joy Box, and Jewish Joy Con, coming 2027. In addition, she has served as a judge for the National Jewish Book Awards, and is a founding member of The Artists Against Antisemitism, and is an alumna of UpStart, a leading incubator for Jewish social entrepreneurship and innovation.
A highly sought-after keynote speaker, Jean has addressed audiences at major corporations, conferences, and community organizations—including Google, the American Library Association, 70 Faces Media, and Jewish organizations and nonprofits nationwide. She brings a substantial and highly engaged digital audience and is known for presentations that are funny, deeply honest, and profoundly human. At the heart of Jean’s message are two ideas that have shaped her life and work: the importance of “holding onto your joy,” even in the face of adversity, and the belief that meaningful change happens in “two percent increments of better.”
Diagnosed with a disabling chronic illness as a young adult, Jean rebuilt her life step by step—eventually transforming personal struggle into bestselling books, vibrant community initiatives, and a platform that has helped thousands of readers feel seen and empowered. These themes, drawn directly from her lived experience, resonate with audiences of all backgrounds, faiths, and professions. Her talks remind listeners that joy is not naïve—it is courageous—and that even the smallest acts of betterment can change a life, a community, or a culture.
Before becoming an author, Jean studied dramatic writing at NYU Tisch and built an award-winning career in television, earning a National Daytime Emmy Award. In 2006, she left the entertainment industry to study in rabbinical school in Israel. Though her studies were eventually cut short due to her health, the experience profoundly shaped her voice and purpose. Today, she uses that blend of storytelling, spirituality, and hard-won resilience to connect with audiences around the world.
IG: JeanMeltzer
FB: JeanMeltzerAuthor
www.jeanmeltzer.com
www.jewish-joy.com
SPEAKING TOPICS
Jean prefers to work directly with her clients in order to tailor-craft an event that best suits their needs. Given her varied background, she has a unique understanding of the needs of the Jewish world, and is also able to speak from personal experience on issues of health, disability, aging, chronic illness, and advocacy. She is available for ted-talk style speeches, which she sprinkles with her signature brand of unapologetic joyfulness and humor, before summing it up neatly with her life-affirming and always-inspiring words of Torah, and Jewish wisdom.
In addition to creating a memorable event specially tailored to your needs, Jean is also able to include book readings, audience breakout sessions, sneak peeks of future books, and signings into any event.
No matter what the needs of your organization may be, Jean’s ultimate goal is simple. She wants to inspire all in attendance at one of her events to go out and create their own happy endings. She believes that brokenness is the key to crafting and creating a better world for all of us. To that affect, she has a personal interest in working with non-profits and organizations that are fundraising for good causes.
WORKSHOPS AND CLASSES
For those seeking longer or more specialized events from Jean, she is also available for a wide variety of workshops and classes. Some of the topics that Jean enjoys teaching and speaking about are:
- Writing Jewish Joy: Re-envisioning Jewish stories for a modern age.
- Making the Invisible Visible: Writing chronic illness and invisible disability on the page.
- Craft Basics: How understanding film structure can improve your novel.
- Pitch-Perfect Romance: Learn the secrets to writing tension-filled romance.
- Find Your Funny Bone: Improve comedic elements in your own work.
- Clergy Writing Seminar: For religious professionals interested in improving their sermon writing skills.
SELECTED PRESS
“The Matzah Ball had me laughing out loud… an all-around terrific read!” – Debbie Macomber, #1 New York Times Best Seller
- A MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK SELECTED BY *POPSUGAR *BUSTLE * BUZZFEED *BOOKRIOT *BOOKPAGE *GOODREADS MEMBERS
- BEST APPLE AUDIOBOOK OF 2021
- SOON TO BE A MAJOR MOTION FILM
https://deadline.com/2022/02/sugar23-jean-meltzer-the-matzah-ball-lance-ball-1234926423/
VIDEO LINKS
https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=881266216083785
To book Jean Meltzer, contact Rob Firing at speakers@transatlanticagency.com.