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.

• Mark your calendar for “Walking the Narrow Bridge: Jewish Poetry as a Path for Access & Resilience,” a free, hybrid (on Zoom and in-person in New York), “fully accessible poetry reading and discussion featuring poets Ed Hirsch and Jessica Jacobs in conversation with Central [Synagogue]’s Rabbi Sivan Rotholz,” taking place Saturday evening, November 9.
• If there’s one book on my tbr list that I’ve heard raves about from everyone who’s mentioned it to me, that book is Yael van der Wouden’s debut novel The Safekeep. So of course, this New York Times profile of van der Wouden caught my attention.
• Via Jewish Chicago: “Jewish Authors Say ‘Enough!’ to Antisemitism”; similarly, via the Creative Community for Peace: “More than 1000 leaders from the literary and entertainment industry signed an open letter…in support of freedom of expression and against discriminatory boycotts. The letter comes in response to continued efforts to boycott, harass, and scapegoat Jewish and Israeli authors and literary institutions. Among the signatories are Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and Booker Prize winners.” And just this morning, on the website of The New York Times: a superb essay, “Stop the Boycott of Israeli Culture,” by Deborah Harris and Jessica Kasmer-Jacobs. And if those names are new to you: “Ms. Harris is the founder and director of the Jerusalem-based Deborah Harris Agency. Ms. Kasmer-Jacobs is a literary agent there.” I highly recommend subscribing to the agency’s newsletter.
• In related news: Earlier this week, right here on My Machberet, I unveiled a no-longer-so-secret history of outreach to a major writing-trade magazine concerning certain problems with its coverage regarding Israel, Jewish identity, and connections between them.
• Coming soon (as in later today): The November issue of my newsletter for writers, The Practicing Writer 2.0. Among the dozens of fee-free and paying/funded opportunities that you’ll find listed within are a few that specifically seek/support Jewish writing. It’s never too late to subscribe to this free newsletter!

As usual, updates have continued for “After October 7: Readings, Recordings, and More” and “Writers, Beware.”

Shabbat shalom.