Pre-Shabbat Jewish Literary Links

Photo Credit: Reut Miryam Cohen
Photo Credit: Reut Miryam Cohen
Every Friday My Machberet presents an array of Jewish-interest links, primarily of the literary variety.

  • “The Mizrahi poets of Ars Poetica have a lot to say—and the whole country [Israel] is listening.” From The Tower magazine.
  • “Of Song Sheets and Latkes”: a Hanukkah story by Susan Messer, on the Moment website.
  • Hanukkah time is also #Readukkah time, and the Fig Tree Books blog took note on Tuesday.
  • Starting Sunday: the annual meeting of the Association of Jewish Studies. Follow along with the #AJS15 hashtag.
  • And last, but perhaps not least: my dispatch, for Tablet, from a recent celebration of Anzia Yezierska’s classic Bread Givers.
  • Shabbat shalom.

    From My Bookshelf: SLIDING DOORS AND OTHER STORIES

    Readukkah-1Rebecca Klempner is one of the wonderful people I’ve had the privilege and pleasure of getting to know via the Internet, where I frequently read her essays and reviews and “converse” with her via email and social media. Several months ago, she announced that she’d be publishing a book of short stories for younger readers. As soon as Sliding Doors and Other Stories was available, I purchased a copy for my Kindle. It took me a little while to focus on reading them, but I’m happy to say that I have finally done so. And as part of the wonderful #Readukkah initiative from the Association of Jewish Libraries, I’m proud to share this Q&A with the author just as we prepare the kindle this year’s first Hanukkah candles. (I suspect that I am bending the #Readukkah rules somewhat by presenting a Q&A instead of a review, but I hope that I’ll be forgiven for so doing.)

    Sliding Doors and Other Stories comprises 17 short stories (and one essay). In a note to readers, the author explains that she wrote the stories in this collection “for several of the magazines that serve the Orthodox community.” Elsewhere, she has indicated that the target readership for this book is likely between 11 and 16 years of age.

    Rebecca Klempner is an wife, mother, and writer living in Los Angeles. Born in Baltimore, she grew up in Columbia, Maryland; Israel; and Las Vegas, Nevada. She attended St. Mary’s College of Maryland and American University, where she obtained a master’s degree in applied anthropology. In 1998, she headed to Los Angeles for a stint in Teach for America. She remained there and taught for five years before becoming a stay-at-home mother. In 2005, she sold her first picture book: A Dozen Daisies for Raizy was published in 2008 by Hachai. Subsequently, she’s written for many magazines – print and online – including Mishpacha, Ami, Hamodia, Binah, Tablet, and The Jewish Home.

    Please welcome Rebecca Klempner! (more…)

    Pre-Shabbat Jewish Literary Links

    Photo Credit: Reut Miryam Cohen
    Photo Credit: Reut Miryam Cohen
    Every Friday My Machberet presents an array of Jewish-interest links, primarily of the literary variety.

  • Paid, part-time editorial internship opportunities with Tablet magazine!
  • For the Forward, Judy Bolton-Fasman spotlights The Hours Count, Jillian Cantor’s second historical novel, “mainly a fictional portrait of Ethel Rosenberg.”
  • From Lisa Silverman and Jewish Journal: “It’s time for a top-10 list of a few of the best recently published Jewish books for this Chanukah season. All make wonderful gifts and span different age and interest levels.”
  • If you have an hour or so to spare, your time will be well spent listening to this Book of Life podcast: “Enough with the Holocaust Books for Children!”
  • And on my other blog: some notes about Israeli author Amir Gutfreund, who passed away this week.
  • Shabbat Shalom—and Happy Hanukkah.

    Words of the Week

    “The voices of Jews and others whose positions are rooted in the right of Israel to exist as a state have been silenced. Following my remarks at the BDS round table, there was just one comment from the audience validating some of my points, but I received many private expressions of support and appreciation for my ‘courage.’ Several people told me it would be damaging to their careers to openly express opposition to the resolution.”

    Source: Janet L. Freedman, “For the Women’s Studies Association, the BDS Vote Was Over Before It Began” (Forward)

    Pre-Shabbat Jewish Literary Links

    Photo Credit: Reut Miryam Cohen
    Photo Credit: Reut Miryam Cohen

    Every Friday My Machberet presents an array of Jewish-interest links, primarily of the literary variety.

  • Author David Grossman is giving his personal archive to the National Library of Israel.
  • Tikkun magazine is looking for a Managing Editor.
  • Author Yona Zeldis McDonough reflects on “writing Jewishly.”
  • “For me, the Holocaust is a constant subtext of the poems.” This and other insights from poet Adam Kirsch in a Q&A focused on his new collection.
  • And in case you missed it: presenting the latest newsletter from Fig Tree Books.
  • Shabbat shalom.