Erika Dreifus

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.

• For the academically-inclined: Studies in American Jewish Literature has issued an intriguing call for contributions for a special issue themed “Beyond Canonization: The Contested Legacy of Isaac Bashevis Singer.” Deadline: August 15.
• From The Horn Book: In “We Need Diverse Muslim and Jewish Books: An Update,” Sadaf Siddique and Heidi Rabinowitz return to a topic they first covered in 2020. (The focus here, as one would expect from The Horn Book, is on children’s literature.)
• I had the chance this week to peruse my copy of Hadassah magazine’s May-June issue, and it’s fabulous. Fortunately, there’s tons of content available online, too. You might begin with an excerpt adapted from Daniel Gordis’s latest book, Impossible Takes Longer: 75 Years After Its Creation, Has Israel Fulfilled Its Founders’ Dreams?. I also highly recommend the online discussion the magazine hosted last week on “Israel at 75: Successes and Challenges,” which featured authors Isabel Kershner, Yossi Klein Halevi, and Hen Mazzig (a recording is available).
• It’s still May, and therefore, Jewish American Heritage Month (Jewish Heritage Month in Canada) continues! For a helpful bookish recap (and a chance to win a free e-book copy of Quiet Americans: Stories, please check this post.
• And this evening brings us the start of the holiday of Shavuot. It’s traditional to revisit the biblical Book of Ruth at this time; you’ll also find three relevant poems of mine on Tablet (with versions also included in Birthright: Poems).

Chag sameach and Shabbat shalom!