Gloria Weiner, a longtime bookseller who specialized in Judaica, African-American, and LGBTQ subjects later in her career, passed away on Sunday, May 27. She was 89.
Weiner began her career in 1970 at the Palisades Bookshop in Pacific Palisades, Calif., before making stops at Hunter’s Bookstore, Campbell’s Brentano’s, Classic Bookshop, and the Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Bookstore (in both California and New York). Weiner then moved into publishing, working for W.W. Norton, Aperture, Basil Blackwell, Feminist Press, Routledge, Central Conference of American Rabbis, and Newmarket Press, among others.
She became a special sales expert, often hired to sell a specific title to bookstores around the country as well as to non-traditional outlets. She continued her work following retirement, often selling a special book for a publisher.
In addition to bookselling, Weiner supported several progressive and humanitarian organizations that worked in areas such as civil rights, world peace, feminism, social and economic justice, and equality for all. She is also the founder of the Rose Koenig and Gloria Weiner Fund for Women’s Studies at the New York Public Library.
Weiner is survived by three children, three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Those wishing to honor her are invited to make a donation to non-profit organizations working toward social justice and change.
