Erika Dreifus

• On a recent episode of the Judaism Unbound podcast, “Ruth Calderon, a former member of Israel’s parliament and the founder of two organizations (Elul and Alma: Home for Hebrew Culture) blending traditional Jewish study with contemporary Jewish culture, joins Dan and Lex for a conversation about how to blend traditional Jewish sources with a radical spirit of contemporary creativity.” As a Jewish writer (and as someone who assigned to undergraduates one of Calderon’s “Talmud Tales” [in translation by Ilana Kurshan] this past fall), I loved this episode!
• Among other things, 2019 brought us a year-long celebration of the life and work of Yiddish writer Jacob Dinezon (1851-1919). Scott Hilton Davis summarizes.
• This week, the Association of Jewish Libraries issued a statement “regarding recent antisemitic acts.”
• The latest issue of my newsletter for writers includes a reminder about Tent: Creative Writing, which “welcomes aspiring and practicing writers in their twenties and thirties to the Yiddish Book Center in Amherst, Massachusetts, to workshop, read, and talk about craft and literary history. The program offers workshops on fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction, taught by authors such as Sam Lipstye, Lisa Olstein, and Eileen Pollack. Participants discuss classics of modern Jewish literature by authors from Sholem Aleichem to Adrienne Rich with literary scholar Josh Lambert and consider the roles played by Jews in the creation of literary modernism and postmodernism. Each accepted participant receives a full scholarship, covering the cost of the workshop as well as room and board. Lodging will be provided if required, and most meals will be provided. Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from Amherst.” The application deadline is January 2.
• And, last but not least: ICYMI, I’ve written up an entire post all about “My Year in Jewish Books” (2019 edition).

Shabbat shalom!