Erika Dreifus

• Author and Israel-based literary salonnière Julie Zuckerman’s April newsletter is exceptionally good—and not only for the Passover recipes! Do check it out, and if you’re not already a subscriber, consider signing up (it’s free).
• “PJ Library invites writers and writer/illustrators of Jewish-themed picture books to apply for our 2023 Picture Book Summer Camp for five days of inspiration, mentorship, fun, and creativity on the beautiful campus of the Highlights Foundation. A majority of the spaces are reserved for emerging creatives (unpublished, or no more than one published picture book). Limited spaces are reserved for alumni from the 2022 PJ Library Picture Book Summer Camp.” Applications are open until May 2. There’s no fee to apply; accepted candidates receive “tuition, lodging, and meals. Travel stipends to the retreat center will be available from PJ Library. ($500 for domestic travel, $1300 for international travel.)”
• From the Library of America: To mark publication of the third and final volume of LOA’s edition of Bernard Malamud’s works, “join biographer and editor Philip Davis and acclaimed writers Tobias Wolff and Nicole Krauss for a master class in ‘The Magic Barrel,’ one of Malamud’s most brilliant and beloved tales.” This free, online event is scheduled for April 20.
• From the Book of Life podcast: “Jewish identity can be complicated, especially for people who come from a mixed background. We are starting to see this reality acknowledged in middle grade and young adult fiction, with characters who are working to figure out what being Jewish means to them, or who are trying to better integrate the different parts of their heritage; characters who don’t feel like they are enough. For this episode, I’ve called together three authors whose novels explore this topic: Primrose Madayag Knazan, author of the YA novel Lesson in Fusion, and middle grade authors Aimee Lucido, who wrote Recipe for Disaster, and Amanda Panitch, who wrote The Two Wrong Halves of Ruby Taylor. Join us for a virtual panel discussion about identity, a walk on the Jewish side.” 
• And last, but perhaps not least: Over on the Moment magazine website, you’ll find my review of Tova Reich’s The House of Love and Prayer and Other Stories, which will be released next month.

Here’s hoping that your Passover is off to a lovely, meaningful start. And Shabbat shalom!