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.

  • On Hevria: an important essay by Ayala Tiefenbrunn, who is descended from “a long line of proud Yemenite Jews.”
  • Nice Canadian Jewish News article spotlighting some of the Israel-focused fiction featured on JewishFiction.net.
  • Reminder from Fig Tree Books (where I am Media Editor): There’s a giveaway going on now for readers interested in early copies of Abigail Pogrebin’s My Jewish Year: 18 Holidays, One Wondering Jew. (And if you’re a librarian/reviewer/bookseller, we’ve got digital galleys for you to request, too.)
  • Coming soon: the #Readukkah challenge. Learn all about it over on the Association of Jewish Libraries website.
  • And applications are open for a number of compelling lit-related summer programs at the Yiddish Book Center. There’s the Great Jewish Books program for high-school students. There’s a Creative Writing program for twentysomethings. And there’s a program for writers of Children’s Literature–blessedly open to us old fogies, too.
  • Shabbat shalom!

    Pre-Shabbat (and Pre-5777) Jewish Lit 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.

  • Let’s begin with some inspirational quotations from Israeli statesman Shimon Peres, who passed away this week.
  • The Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle is running a short story contest (and you don’t *have* to be from Wisconsin to enter it). No entry fee. Cash prize.
  • There’s a problematic new book for children on the market: Shmelf the Hanukkah Elf. Read Marjorie Ingall’s take over on Tablet and listen to this Book of Life podcast for the details.
  • I’m holding out for my print copy to get here, but the latest issue of the Jewish Review of Books is now online (limited free access for non-subscribers).
  • And last, but least: This week brought an extra-special edition of the Fig Tree Books newsletter, with all sorts of preview content from Abigail Pogrebin’s forthcoming My Jewish Year: 18 Holidays, One Wondering Jew. The perfect way to approach the forthcoming Jewish New Year!
  • Speaking of Rosh Hashanah–let me wish you all a Shanah Tovah–as well as a Shabbat Shalom.

    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.

  • See what you think of this Book Riot list of “100 Must-Read Works of Jewish Fiction” (we at Fig Tree Books are pretty happy with #28).
  • Speaking of Jewish fiction: Avital Chizik-Goldschmidt’s “A Holy Fool,” on Tablet, is well worth your time.
  • A new issue of Lilith magazine is now available.
  • From the world of young-adult lit: “11 YA Authors Discuss the Role of Faith in Their Lives,” on the BNTeen blog (and offer some reading recommendations).
  • And an extra-hearty Mazal Tov for everyone recognized by the American Jewish Press Association’s latest Rockower Awards.
  • Shabbat Shalom.

    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.

  • A special #ShortStoryMonth post over on the Fig Tree Books blog.
  • The PJ Library (Los Angeles) is looking for several part-time Community Connectors.
  • Your vote is welcome this year in judging the American Jewish Press Association’s Rockower Awards.
  • Mazal tov to these Los Angeles-area artists and writers–and all best wishes as they pursue their fascinating projects.
  • Finally, this week brought the latest Jewish Book Carnival for everyone to enjoy.
  • Shabbat shalom!

    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.

  • May the memory of Imre Kertész, Holocaust survivor and Nobel literature laureate, be a blessing.
  • “When people ask me, ‘How many Jewish books do we need?’ I have to answer, ‘ALL of them.’ However many books we produce to satisfy a quota is too few. Because not every kid came from The All of a Kind Family.” Thoughts from Laurel Snyder for We Need Diverse Books.
  • A couple of PJ Library jobs are being advertised at the moment: In Phoenix, they’re seeking a director; in the Greater New Haven area, they’re looking for a part-time program manager.
  • I had the pleasure of attending an event celebrating Boris Fishman’s new novel this week; get a good overview of the book in this New Jersey Jewish News article, which also notes the author’s upcoming appearance in Maplewood.
  • And speaking of author events: we’ve added a bunch of new ones to the Fig Tree Books event calendar. Check ’em out!
  • Shabbat shalom, friends.