On my viewing agenda: video from an event featuring Ruby Namdar and Liel Leibovitz in conversation about The Ruined House, Namdar’s Sapir Prize-winning novel (which is now available in an English translation by Hillel Halkin).
And on my listening agenda: the “grand finale” (for now, anyway) of the Book of Life podcast.
In the wake of this week’s announcement that the U.S. now formally recognizes Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, The New York Times has observed: “Many readers have taken to our comments section to express either their consternation or approval. However, few readers have commented about their personal experiences with the city. Perhaps you have lived there, have ancestral roots there or have visited. We want to hear what the city means to you. We may publish a selection of the responses.” Read more here.
I had reason the other day to refer someone to this resource page, which I designed for anyone seeking to publish Jewish-themed stories, poems, and essays. And it occurred to me that it had been a while since I’d mentioned that page here.
Terrific Tablet piece (by Jake Marmer) occasioned by the release of the film adaptation of André Aciman’s 2007 novel Call Me By Your Name.
From across the pond: “The longlist for the 2018 JQ (Jewish Quarterly) Wingate Prize has been announced, with “identity” singled out as this year’s overriding theme. Twelve books have been selected, including Judas by Amos Oz, Forest Dark by Nicole Krauss and The Dark Circle by Linda Grant. The prize, now in its 41st year, is run in association with the JW3 community centre. The winner of the £4,000 prize will be announced on February 15, 2018.”
And remember—you can win a copy of Leon Wiener Dow’s The Going: A Meditation on Jewish Law via this Goodreads giveaway. (If you’re interested in reviewing the book or otherwise profiling the author, please let me know!)
Photo Credit: Reut Miryam CohenEvery Friday My Machberet presents an array of Jewish-interest links, primarily of the literary variety.
Next up on my TBR list: Ilana Kurshan’s If All the Seas Were Ink, which I had the pleasure of hearing the author introduce at an event in New York this week. (For another presentation, see this piece by Judy Bolton-Fasman for JewishBoston.com.)
Over on the Hadassah Magazine site, there’s a nice overview (by Peter Ephross) of female (ex-)Soviet writers “who have carved a literary niche for themselves in North America.”
A profile of Rachela Krinsky (by yours truly) for the Forward; Krinsky is one of the “dramatis personae” featured in the new book by David E. Fishman, The Book Smugglers: Partisans, Poets, and the Race to Save Jewish Treasures from the Nazis.
The Jewish Week‘s fall literary guide is out, and among other highlights, you’ll find there Sandee Brawarsky’s take on Reuven (Ruby) Namdar’s Sapir Prize-winning novel The Ruined House, now available in an English translation by Hillel Halkin.
And ICYMI: a couple of #JewLit items were featured over on my Midweek Notes post this week on the Practicing Writing blog.
Over on the Library Journal site: “Israel in Fiction: Celebrate Jewish Book Month with These Titles by Israeli Authors,” a wonderful overview by Rachel Kamin.
Via eJewish Philanthropy, I’ve discovered the intriguing Hewish Studio Project. Its Studio AM “is a new creative arts studio in the Bay Area that lifts up the creative potential in each person and offers an accessible, inspiring and creative pathway into Jewish connection and community.” Note an upcoming “immersive” event, to take place in January, for which applications are due November 20. (Partial scholarships may be available.)
And this week my the U.K.’s Jewish Chronicle published my latest “View from the U.S.A.” column. In this installment, I look back on where I was—and what I was thinking—one year ago.
