From My Bookshelf: The Exiles Return, by Elisabeth de Waal

by Erika Dreifus on
Disabled

Unknown“If Elisabeth de Waal’s name sounds familiar, credit her grandson, Edmund de Waal. His acclaimed book ‘The Hare with Amber Eyes‘ (2010) chronicled the history of Elisabeth’s family, the Ephrussis, an eminent Jewish clan in Europe. As readers of the younger de Waal’s book may recall, Elisabeth (1899-1991) lived an accomplished life, but one achievement eluded her: Although she wrote five novels — two in German and three in English — not one found a publisher. Until recently.

The manuscript now published as ‘The Exiles Return‘ is set mainly in 1954-55, in the months leading up to the signing of the State Treaty, which, the novel’s brief and enigmatic prelude reminds us, ‘led to the withdrawal of the Allied Occupation forces and finally restored Austria’s independence.’ This setting may prompt some readers to view ‘The Exiles Return’ as a historical novel, but for Elisabeth, it was a fairly contemporary creation.”

Please read the rest of my review in The Washington Post.

Jewish Literary Links for Shabbat

by Erika Dreifus on
4

Photo Credit: Reut Miryam Cohen
Every Friday morning My Machberet presents an assortment of Jewish-interest links, primarily of the literary variety.

  • Mazel tov to the latest winner & honor titles recognized by the ALA Sophie Brody Award committee.
  • The latest issue of The Ilanot Review, themed “Sacred Words,” has gone live.
  • Forward staffer Josh Nathan-Kazis explores his Sephardic roots and history in this longform piece.
  • Ways to help Holocaust survivors who are living in poverty (note the inclusion of The Blue Card, to which I send quarterly donations based on sales of Quiet Americans).
  • And last, but maybe not least: I’ve got a brief essay on the Lilith blog this week titled “A Not-so-Modest Proposal: Add Another Matriarch to the Mix.”

    • Shabbat shalom.

    Call for Applications: Moment Magazine Editorial Fellowship

    by Erika Dreifus on
    Disabled

    momentFrom Moment magazine–information about the Rabbi Harold S. White Fellowship

    Each year, Moment identifies and supports a talented young journalist who already has significant journalism experience. The fellow is an integral part of the small hardworking Moment team and has the opportunity to learn how magazine journalism gets made: from editing the website to writing feature stories to promoting stories through social media and other outlets.

    Fellows have gone on to be hired by The Atlantic, The Jerusalem Post and other publications. Moment is currently looking for a spring fellow who can start in March or April. Minimum one-year commitment is required. Fellows work full-time in our Washington, DC office.

    Visit the Moment website for more information.

    Call for Applications: Lilith Magazine Fellowship

    by Erika Dreifus on
    Disabled

    LILWi13_CoverFInal1-130x174From Lilith magazine:

    Are you interested in feminism and Jewish arts and culture? Want to experience first-hand how Lilith magazine is created, in print and online? Hone your thinking, advocacy and editorial skills? Lilith magazine, a not-for-profit publication, welcomes applicants for a new staff position: the Malka Foundation Editorial Fellow will participate in all facets of creating the quarterly print issues of Lilith magazine (independent, Jewish & frankly feminist), and will work with Lilith online (Lilith.org) as well. The Malka Fellowship will provide the right candidate with a unique opportunity to be part of the lively nuts-and-bolts world of magazine publishing. The year-long Fellowship will begin in Spring 2014.

    NB: “The Lilith fellowship will provide a salary, plus focused mentorship and learning.”

    Application deadline is February 14, 2014. No application fee indicated.

    Jewish Literary Links for Shabbat

    by Erika Dreifus on
    2

    Photo Credit: Reut Miryam Cohen
    Every Friday morning My Machberet presents an assortment of Jewish-interest links, primarily of the literary variety.

  • Mazel tov to the winners and other honorees cited among this year’s Sydney Taylor Book Awards titles.
  • Harold Bloom really likes Peter Cole’s latest poetry book.
  • Nice interview with Janice Weizmann, editor of the Israel-based journal The Ilanot Review.
  • I no longer live in the Garden State, but I still consider New Jersey Jewish News my hometown Jewish newspaper; I’m intrigued by this profile of Peter Waldor, insurance executive & poet, and winner of the National Jewish Book Award in poetry.
  • And a little something from me: a piece about “Why I’m Going to See an ‘Anti-Israel’ Play,” published on The Forward’s “Arty Semite” blog this week.

    • Shabbat shalom.