Marcie Maxfield’s signature wit is on full display with her upcoming memoir, “JewGirl” (Publication Date: October 2025)—an incisive, acerbic portrait of being Jewish and female during a time when antisemitism is on the rise and women’s rights are being stripped away.
Growing up in Detroit in the 1960s, Maxfield believed everyone was either Black or Jewish. But after the riots left Detroit burning and her parents sent her to a private school in a wealthy white Christian suburb, Marcie discovered a world in which, as a Jew, she would never be white enough. She would always be an “other.”
“JewGirl” features essays that trace Maxfield’s childhood to the present day, capturing key moments that shaped her being, from a girl searching for belonging through her transformation into a vocal feminist who embraces her Jewish heritage. Equal parts memoir and social commentary, “JewGirl” explores the intersection of Jewish identity and gender equality. Maxfield questions the idea that systemic racism is based on skin color, noting how Jews are often left out of the conversation, despite enduring centuries of violent oppression, and unpacks the historical and current impact of antisemitism on her family and in her community. Her stories highlight the resilience of the Jewish people.
In her award-winning debut novel, Em’s Awful Good Fortune, Marcie Maxfield captivated readers with her humor and vulnerability as she explored the challenges of marriage and the rocky road to finding self-love and healthy compromise. Now, she’s done it again. Funny, sharp, and heartfelt, “JewGirl” is a candid and compelling meditation on the complexities of identity, privilege, and one woman’s journey in search of belonging.
You can find “JewGirl” on Spotify at: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2EUlyg9hNGGp2wnxMomScS.
