Jewish Literary Links

Toward the end of each week, the My Machberet blog presents a collection of links, drawn primarily from the world of Jewish books and writing.
- I’m looking forward to listening to the latest episode of The Book of Life podcast, which features Sarah Sassoon and her debut picture book Shoham’s Bangle (illustrated by Noa Kelner). As always, a transcript is available.
- “There was one last miraculous piece to this strange moment: of all the times when Germany could have made me a citizen, it did so exactly two weeks before the publication of my first book which is about granddaughters of the Holocaust still haunted today.” From an essay by Courtney Sender for Slate (which for me evokes memories of a [much older] essay about my own German-citizenship experience).
- Open for submissions (until March 31, for books published between September 1, 2022, and August 31, 2023): The Natan Notable Books Award. “Twice yearly, Natan selects a ’Natan Notable Book,’ “a recently-published or about-to-be published non-fiction title that will catalyze conversations aligned with the themes of Natan’s grantmaking: reinventing Jewish life and community for the twenty-first century, shifting notions of individual and collective Jewish identity, the history and future of Israel, and the evolving relationship between Israel and world Jewry. Natan Notable Book winners receive a Natan Notable Book seal and $5,000 for the author, marketing/distribution coaching and promotion from Jewish Book Council and Natan, and customized support designed to bring the book and/or the author to new audiences.” (Cross-posted in the March issue of The Practicing Writer 2.0.)
- Last week the Forward published a terrific profile of author Walter Mosley—featuring his Jewish background—by Beth Harpaz.
- ICYMI: Over on Twitter I shared some deeply concerning news (as reported by The Times of Israel, in this article and in this one) concerning the National Library of Israel. (If there have been updates since, I haven’t yet seen them.)
Shabbat shalom—and Happy Purim!
