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.

• From Montreal’s Jewish Public Library: “For over half a century, The Jacob Isaac Segal Awards have honoured the exploration of Jewish themes in literature and recognized the contribution of Jewish culture to a richly diverse contemporary Quebec. In 2024, two prizes will be awarded for: 1. Best Quebec book on a Jewish Theme, with a prize of $5,000 2. The Dr. Hirsh and Dvora Rosenfeld Award for Yiddish Literature, with a prize of $1,000.” Deadline: May 15. (Cross-posted on Practicing Writing.)
• Elsewhere in the Jewish-literary-awards sphere: Mazal tov to Eduardo Halfon, the latest Berman Literature Prize laureate.
• ICYMI: a reminder about two notable Yom HaShoah projects. First, here’s the 26th Annual Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) Poetry Issue from Poetry Super Highway. Newer to the scene: a Yom HaShoah Community Arts Project (also including poetry) organized by The Artists Against Antisemitism.
• And speaking of poetry: a call for submissions that recently caught my attention for “an upcoming poetry anthology, Proof of Life: An Exploration of Conflict, Survival and Hope, Post October 7th with proceeds going to OneFamily Fund.” NB: Per the editor’s mention elsewhere, I’ve noted a June 15 deadline.
• “I do want to write a book that can be read, a book that doesn’t silence itself by accidentally setting up landmines of language that shut the reader out. And as the war grinds on, more of the everyday language of Jewishness is being weaponized against us, making our stories harder to tell.” From “Writing Jewish Stories in a Silencing Moment,” a recent Substack post by Sarah Einstein.
• And I’ve been continuing my literary observance of Jewish American Heritage Month (Jewish Heritage Month in Canada) throughout this week. Recall that I detailed my plans for this year’s literary observance in the latest issue of my newsletter; for now, please follow along on Twitter (mid-month update to come next week).

Please note that this week I have continue to update the “After October 7: Readings, Recordings, and More” document-in-progress. Check also cautionary information (also, alas, updated this week) as compiled under the title “Writers, Beware.”

Shabbat shalom. And as we approach Yom HaZikaron this weekend—it begins Sunday evening—I’m extending extra comfort and solidarity.