Every Friday, My Machberet presents an array of Jewish-interest links, primarily of the literary variety.
An absolutely gorgeous Hanukkah essay by Rick Chess in North Carolina’s Our State magazine.
And a peek into Marcela Sulak’s lyric memoir, Mouth Full of Seeds, which will be published in 2020 by Black Lawrence Press.
Joan Leegant’s “The Book of Splendor” is cited among the “Distinguished Stories” named toward the back of the latest Best American Short Stories volume. The story was published last year in Ascent; I’ve bookmarked it to read asap.
ICYMI on social media, the 71st anniversary of the U.N.’s vote endorsing the establishment of a Jewish state—and an Arab state—in Palestine inspired me to share a page from a beautiful scene from Jessamyn Hope’s novel Safekeeping.
And last, but not least (at least, not to me!): “On Being a Jewish American Writer in 2018,” a text version of the creative keynote address that I presented at the JAHLIT symposium in Miami earlier this month, is now online (courtesy of Moment magazine).
Shabbat shalom, and Happy Hanukkah!
I’ve enjoyed Richard’s writings, especially his poetry, often, but this essay is particularly resonant this season following the meshugas of the attack on Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue which some of my family has attended for years. Thank you so much for sharing it!
Diana, thank you so much for this generous comment.