Erika Dreifus

• “Apudzhas Came to Say Goodbye” is, if I’m reading correctly, a previously unpublished-in-English-translation short story by Isaac Bashevis Singer, published this week on the Alma site. (The translation is also by Singer.)
• As per usual, I am way behind with my reading, books and magazines/journals alike. But the summer 2021 issue of Jewish Review of Books arrived in my mailbox this week, and I’m hoping to get to it soon.
• In which Jennifer Weiner reviews a new biography of Sydney Taylor, From Sarah to Sydney: The Woman Behind All-of-a-Kind Family (by June Cummins with Alexandra Dunietz) for The New York Times.
• While I’m linking to books coverage from The New York Times: I’ve mentioned Taffy Brodesser-Akner’s take on Joshua Cohen’s latest novel before (even right here on the My Machberet blog). But the piece is so exceptional that I’m sharing it again.
• Not necessarily “literary,” but I’m going to mention it anyway: Today, June 24, is the inaugural Holocaust Survivor Day. (“Does the Jewish World Need Another Holiday?” is the title of the opening panel.) Just making sure that you know about it. (And while we’re on the subject: We’re nearing the end of the second quarter of 2021, which means that it’s almost time for me to tally up another contribution to The Blue Card based on sales of Quiet Americans: Stories. So if you may have been planning to buy a copy [for yourself or to gift], today would be a great day to do that. Thank you!)

Shabbat shalom.