Jewish Literary Links for Shabbat (& Hanukkah)

by Erika Dreifus on
Disabled

Okay, so they’re a day ahead of schedule. But I’m setting out on a long weekend away, and I wanted to be sure not to neglect my weekly links!

  • I trust that you are all having a happy Hanukkah. I’m still kvelling over my own story (forgive me!) on the 2011 NPR Hanukkah Lights special. (And marveling over the fact that I’m sharing the radio-stage with Tamar Yellin, whose work I’ve admired for several years.) I’ve also written a little something about the story’s background and the research that went into it.
  • Remaining with the Hanukkah theme: Gail Fishman Gerwin’s “Are We Done Yet?” (courtesy of Your Daily Poem).
  • And if you’re still buying a gift or two, you may find some ideas within Josh Lambert’s latest books column for Tablet.
  • From Poets & Writers magazine, an account of a remarkable Jewish writing workshop: “Last year Poets & Writers funded two workshops in Tucson, Arizona, led by writer Deborah Mayaan and Rabbi Stephanie Aaron. We asked Mayaan to reflect on the first workshop, which occurred just a week after the shooting that took the lives of six people and injured thirteen others, including congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.”
  • Intriguing review by Steven Amanick–with a focus on literary evidence–of Gertrude Himmelfarb’s The People of the Book: Philosemitism in England from Cromwell to Churchill.

    • Shabbat shalom and Happy Hanukkah!

    J-Job Alert: Book Festival Director Sought (Atlanta)

    by Erika Dreifus on
    Disabled

    The Marcus Jewish Community Center (Atlanta) is looking for a Book Festival Director: “As one of the MJCCA’s most critically-acclaimed and high profile programs, the two-week Book Festival of the MJCCA has a strong national and local status that allows the agency to attract best-selling authors and some of the country’s best speakers. Each November, the book festival engages more than 10,000 festival-goers with 45+ authors, speakers, and celebrities. Throughout the year, the festival hosts ‘Page from the Book Festival’ events that create year-long excitement for Atlanta’s readers.” For position details and application instructions, check JewishJobs.com.

    Words of the Week: President Barack Obama

    by Erika Dreifus on
    Disabled

    In fact, I am proud to say that no U.S. administration has done more in support of Israel’s security than ours. None. Don’t let anybody else tell you otherwise. It is a fact.

    Source: President Barack Obama’s keynote address before the Union for Reform Judaism’s Biennial.
    Read the text online, or (even better), watch the President give one of his best speeches ever. (IMHO, as the kids say.)

    It didn’t hurt that he wished the group a “Shabbat Shalom”; mentioned that “NFTY, I understand, is in the house”; shared his fatherly concerns over the skirts and curfews involved when his daughter Malia attends Bar and Bat Mitzvah events these days; credited the Reform movement for its essential, foundational work on civil rights; and gave a D’var Torah worthy of a pulpit rabbi.

    But in the end, he needed to convince his readers that he supports Israel.

    He convinced me.

    Short Fiction for Hanukkah: “Fidelis”

    by Erika Dreifus on
    7

    I’m honored and delighted to report that the 2011 “Hanukkah Lights” broadcast on National Public Radio features my short story, “Fidelis.” Local broadcast dates and times vary, but you can listen online any time.

    In “Fidelis,” I tell another story of World War II, but this time the attention shifts to the Pacific theater. I won’t say too much more than that for now. But I’ll be posting more about the history and resources behind the story in the not-too-distant future.

    Jewish Literary Links for Shabbat

    by Erika Dreifus on
    Disabled
  • I love Linda K. Wertheimer’s “Jewish” Book List for 2011–and not only because my book is included!
  • More about l’Affaire Sakal.
  • This month’s Jewish Book Carnival is hosted by Barbara Krasner and The Whole Megillah.
  • JCurrents has launched a new series of articles on Jewish writers, “People of the Book 101.”
  • From the Jewish Book Council on Twitter (@JewishBook): “Are you an org looking to curate a reading list for us? If so, let us know! We’re always looking for new ideas.” Sample lists and contact info here.

    • Shabbat shalom!