Jewish Publication Society

Jewish Publication Society
Company type	Nonprofit organization
Industry	Publishing
Founded	3 June 1888; 138 years ago in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Founder	Joseph Krauskopf and others
Headquarters	Philadelphia, United States
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Gittel Hilibrand (Board President), Rabbi Barry L. Schwartz (CEO since 2010)
Products	Jewish literature in English, including the JPS Tanakh and various commentaries
Parent	None
Website	jps.org

Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Jewish Publication Society, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 25 July 2025

The Jewish Publication Society (JPS), initially known as the Jewish Publication Society of America, holds the distinction of being the longest-standing nonprofit, nonsectarian publisher dedicated to Jewish literature in English. Established in Philadelphia in 1888 by Reform Rabbi Joseph Krauskopf alongside other founders, JPS is particularly famous for its English rendition of the Hebrew Bible, known as the JPS Tanakh.

This translation of the Bible by JPS enjoys widespread use across Jewish and Christian theological schools, numerous universities, synagogues, and Jewish day schools. Additionally, it has been licensed for various publications and digital platforms.

Operating as a nonprofit entity, JPS undertakes projects that commercial publishers typically avoid, often involving extensive timelines. Its principal offerings encompass the ongoing JPS Bible commentary series; publications on Jewish customs, festivals, history, theology, ethics, midrashic literature, Rabbinics; along with multiple editions of the Bible and related study tools.

Since 2012, distribution of JPS titles has been managed by the University of Nebraska Press.

History

The original Jewish Publication Society was created in 1845 in Philadelphia, but it ceased operations after a fire destroyed its inventory. A subsequent effort to establish a similar organization in New York between 1873 and 1875 also failed.

Responding to an increasing need for Jewish texts in English, rabbis and community leaders gathered on June 3, 1888, in Philadelphia to found the present-day Jewish Publication Society.

Membership expanded steadily into the early 20th century. After considerable effort, a complete translation of the Bible was finalized in 1917 and was utilized during World War I to supply prayer books to Jewish servicemen.

Amidst the rise of Nazi Germany in the 1930s, JPS published significant works such as The Decay of Czarism and Legends of the Jews, contributing to Jewish education and cultural preservation. The organization also supported refugees by facilitating employment and produced government-requested pamphlets during wartime.

In the latter half of the 20th century, JPS issued a revised Bible translation along with publications addressing war history and developments related to the State of Israel. Noteworthy releases included The JPS Commentary Series, The Jewish Catalog, and The K'Tonton Series. From 1975 to 1978, A. Leo Levin held the position of President. In 1985, updated versions of the Torah, Prophets, and Writings were consolidated into what is now recognized as the current JPS Tanakh, referred to as NJPS to distinguish it from the original 1917 OJPS translation.

In September 2011, JPS entered into a partnership with the University of Nebraska Press, which took over all remaining inventory and assumed responsibility for production, distribution, and marketing starting January 1, 2012. Despite this transition, JPS's headquarters continue to be located in Philadelphia.

Leadership

Governance at JPS is overseen by a Board of Trustees chaired by Board President Gittel Hilibrand.

Prominent past editors-in-chief include Henrietta Szold (1893–1916), Solomon Grayzel (1939–1966), and Chaim Potok (1966–1974). Potok was involved with JPS publications for three and a half decades, serving eight years as editor-in-chief, sixteen years as secretary of the Bible translation committee, eighteen years as chair of the Editorial Committee, and concurrently acting as literary editor for the Bible program.

Dr. Ellen Frankel held roles as editor-in-chief and later CEO from 1991 through 2009; she currently holds the title Editor Emerita. In 2010, Rabbi Barry L. Schwartz assumed the CEO position bringing experience as senior rabbi at Congregation M'Kor Shalom in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, along with active leadership in nonprofit organizations emphasizing environmental causes.

Carol Hupping was managing editor and publishing director from 1991 until her retirement in 2016; she was succeeded by Joy Weinberg as managing editor.

Distinguished Publications

The JPS Torah Commentaries (covering Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy)
The JPS Bible Commentaries (including Ecclesiastes, Esther, Haftarot, Jonah, Ruth, Song of Songs)
Outside the Bible: Ancient Jewish Writings Related to Scripture, authored by Louis H. Feldman, James L. Kugel, and Lawrence Schiffman
The JPS Commentary on the Haggadah, by Joseph Tabory
Dictionary of Jewish Words, compiled by Joyce Eisenberg and Ellen Scolnic
The Jewish Bible, published by The Jewish Publication Society
Celebrating the Jewish Year (three volumes), written by Paul Steinberg and Janet Greenstein Potter
The Commentators' Bible (from Exodus through Genesis), authored by Michael Carasik
JPS Illustrated Children's Bible, created by Ellen Frankel
Chanting the Hebrew Bible, by Josh Jacobson
The Jewish Publication Society Series collection
Who Are the Jews - And Who Can We Become?
JEWels: Teasing Out the Poetry in Jewish Humor and Storytelling

Audio Bible Availability

The complete audio rendition of the JPS TANAKH offers a full narration of the popular English translation of the Hebrew Bible. Produced by The Jewish Braille Institute (JBI), this recording features over 60 hours of voice work performed by thirteen narrators and can be acquired via purchase or subscription through multiple audiobook platforms.

Additionally, the audio recordings for the Weekly Torah portion (parsha) have been accessible on the JPS website and are scheduled to be reinstated shortly.

National Jewish Book Awards (from 2000 onward)

2000:

Synagogues without Jews, authored by Ben-Zion and Rivka

2001:

Forged in Freedom, by Norman H. Finkelstein
The Rebbe’s Daughter, written by Nehemiah Polen
Etz Hayim, edited by David Lieber

2003:

To Do the Right and the Good, authored by Elliot Dorff

2006:

Folktales of the Jews: Tales from the Sephardic Dispersion, by Dan Ben-Amos
Lilith’s Ark: Teenage Tales of Biblical Women, penned by Deborah Cohen

2007:

Inventing Jewish Ritual, written by Vanessa Ochs
The Power of Song and Other Sephardic Tales, authored by Rita Roth

2009:

JPS Illustrated Children’s Bible, Ellen Frankel, illustrated by Avi Katz
Celebrating the Jewish Year: The Spring and Summer Holidays, Paul Steinberg and Janet Greenstein Potter (Editor)
Subversive Sequels in the Bible, Judy Klitsner

2011:

The JPS Bible Commentary: Ruth, Tamara Cohn Eskenazi and Tikva Frymer-Kensky

2014:

Outside the Bible: Ancient Jewish Writings Related to Scripture, Louis Feldman, James Kugel, Lawrence Schiffman

Children's Book Awards

Terrible Things: An Allegory of the Holocaust, Eve Bunting (recognized as a Notable Children's Book in Social Studies)
The Jewish Kids Catalog, Chaya Burstein (recipient of the National Jewish Book Award)
The Castle on Hester Street, Linda Heller (awarded Parents’ Choice Award)
In the Mouth of the Wolf, Rose Zar (bestowed Association of Jewish Librarians Best Book Award)
The Power of Song and Other Sephardic Tales, Rita Roth (National Jewish Book Award winner)
Anne Frank: A Life in Hiding, Johanna Hurwitz (nominated for Texas Blue Bonnet Award)
Haym Salomon: Liberty’s Son, Shirley Milgrim (National Jewish Book Award recipient)
Mrs. Moskowitz and the Sabbath Candlesticks, Amy Schwartz (honored with both National Jewish Book Award and Association of Jewish Librarians Best Book Award)
Clara’s Story, Clara Isaacman (Sydney Taylor Honor Book distinction)
Lilith’s Ark, Deborah Bodin Cohen (Sydney Taylor Notable Book for Teens)
Of Heroes, Hooks and Heirlooms, Faye Silton (winner of Sydney Taylor Manuscript Competition)
A Coat for the Moon and Other Jewish Tales, Howard Schwartz (Anne Izard Storytellers' Choice Award recipient)
David and Max, Gary Provost and Gail Levine-Provost (recognized as a Notable Children's Book in Social Studies)
Potato Pancakes All Around, Marilyn Hirsch (Children's Choice Award winner)
JPS Illustrated Children’s Bible, Ellen Frankel (recipient of National Jewish Book Award and Taylor Book Award Notable Book)
Naomi’s Song, Selma Kritzer Silverberg (Sydney Taylor Book Award Honor for Teens)
Elvina’s Mirror, Sylvie Weil (Sydney Taylor Book Award Notable for Older Readers)

Additional Honors

2008:

Skipping Stones Honor Award--A Shout in the Sunshine, Mara Cohen Ioannides