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On Being Jewish Now: Essays and Reflections from Authors and Advocates (Zibby Books) is filled with meaningful, smart, funny, sad, emotional and inspiring essays about what it means to be Jewish, how life has changed since the Oct. 7 terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel and the unique culture that brings this group together.

Zibby Owens said she came up with the idea for the anthology “in response to feeling powerless against the spread of anti-Semitism” — and after so many people in her community urged her to keep speaking out. 

“Writing — and reading — is how so many of us process and make sense of the world,” said Owens, “so I started reaching out to authors and others I knew asking for contributions.” Within a month, 75 contributors came together to share their stories. On Being Jewish Now will be published as an ebook and audiobook (narrated by contributors) on Oct. 1, timed to the anniversary of the attacks, with a paperback to follow on Nov. 1. 

The book is edited by Owens, bestselling author, podcaster, bookstore owner and CEO of Zibby Media. It includes essays by three former Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop keynoters — Owens, Amy Ephron and Annabelle Gurwitch. All proceeds will be donated to Artists Against Antisemitism.