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.

• Fairy Lights in God’s Backyard is Sarah Tuttle-Singer’s “second book about life inside the ancient walled section of Jerusalem. I loved her first, Jerusalem. Drawn and Quartered,” writes Rob Eshman, “but I wondered, how much more is there to say? The answer is plenty: The Oct. 7 massacre, the destruction of Gaza, the Iran missile barrages, a new child and a near-death explosion — all experienced by a sharp, sensitive observer living amidst Jews, Muslims and Christians in the most contested third of a square mile in the world.”
• As always, Julie Zuckerman’s latest newsletter is filled with Jewish literary goodness.
• I’d heard about campaigns against Heather Reisman’s bookstores in Canada, but until I listened to Reisman’s convo with the Unholy podast duo Yonit Levi and Jonathan Freedland, I had no idea how dangerous the activity against the stores (not to mention Reisman herself) had become.
• I was sorry to see this “goodbye” post from the editor/publisher of Esther Poetry Journal.
• And last, but by no means least: The latest newsletter from The Artists Against Antisemitism published this week (reminder: I serve on the AAA board). Within: a new guide to help libraries support Jewish patrons, communities, and authors; two contract-work opportunities; an important “save the date” alert; and more! Please take a look, and please share. Thank you!

Shabbat shalom.