Rabbi Janner-Klausner said: “Wingate is about exploring Judaism in a way that is interesting and accessible to the general reader and I believe the long-list reflects this, with a healthy balance of different themes among the 12 books.
“We have chosen authors from the UK, America and Israel and themes which are contemporary, historical, Holocaust, non-Holocaust, religious, secular, academic and Israeli – as well as a work about the environmental crisis and its relationship to Judaism.
“We feel it really is an excellent reflection of the breadth of Jewish life.”
She added: “Especially this year, such great literature provides inspiration and joy when we need it most.”
The short-list will be announced at the end of January and the winner will be announced in late-February.
Novelist Linda Grant took the 2020 prize for her "love letter to London life", A Stranger City.