Just received a notice about an upcoming weekened retreat “for secular and religious Jews–and everyone in between.” Taking place July 17-19 in Hopewell Junction, New York, it will be a weekend “of dialogue, self-exploration, celebration, and study.”
Rates vary with accommodations ($100-$175 per person per night, including meals). Download the conference poster here.
Thanks to Naomi Firestone for posting last week about this year’s Canadian Jewish Book Awards. The awards ceremony is slated for May 25 in Toronto, and the list of winning titles/authors provides a good set of reading suggestions from north of the U.S.-Canada border.
I’d love to know more about Jewish literary awards outside the U.S. and Canada. (I have to admit I’m not even too familiar with Israeli literary prizes). I’d love to augment my awareness–and find some titles to look up in the process. Anyone want to share some tips?
This event, scheduled for April 29 at the CUNY Graduate Center in Manhattan, looks very interesting:
Jewish Intellectuals and the Writing Life
“Join prominent critics and intellectuals as they discuss the relationship between literary reputation, intellectualism, and Jewish life now and over the course of the last half century. Participants include Morris Dickstein, Distinguished Professor at The Graduate Center, CUNY; Ruth Franklin, journalist for The New Republic; literary critic, essayist and novelist Daphne Merkin, author of Dreaming of Hitler; Edward Rothstein, cultural critic-at-large for The New York Times; and Steven Zipperstein, Daniel E. Koshland Professor in Jewish Culture and History at Stanford University and author of Rosenfeld’s Lives: Fame, Oblivion, and the Furies of Writing. Co-sponsored by The Center for Jewish Studies, the PhD program in English, and The Leon Levy Center for Biography.”
Fo more details, click here.
The PEN World Voices Festival of International Literature is coming soon: late April/early May. Most events are taking place in New York City, and some are free and open to the public.
Several events feature Israeli authors Meir Shalev and David Grossman. Check out the following:
April 27, 2009: Meir Shalev: The State of Israeli Literature
April 30, 2009: Meir Shalev in Conversation with Daniel Menaker
May 3, 2009: Conversation: David Grossman and Leonard Lopate
May 4, 2009: See Under: Love: David Grossman on Bruno Schulz
Update: Apparently, I missed a couple of relevant events when I put this post together. Apologies to all. Here, thanks to Naomi Firestone and the Jewish Book Council, is the full roster.
Here’s an excerpt from a press release I received today from the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York:
After three years of sold-out shows which the Downtown Express called “authentic, funny — and yes, subversive…” the Museum is seeking submissions by up-and-coming local Jewish artists for possible inclusion in this year’s event. The winners will be showcased in a dynamic evening of cutting-edge comedy, music, storytelling, and film at the Fourth Annual New York’s Best Emerging Jewish Artists at the Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust on Wednesday, June 17. The show will take place in Edmond J. Safra Hall, the Museum’s 375-seat-theater, which features state-of-the-art light and sound systems, and a Fazioli grand piano.
Filmmakers, musicians, singers, comedians, poets, spoken word artists, and dancers are invited to send performance samples by April 13 to Sarah Wolff at the Museum of Jewish Heritage, 36 Battery Place, NY, NY 10280. Inquiries may be sent to Swolff(at)mjhnyc(dot)org with Emerging Artist in the subject line.
To be eligible, performers must: be at least 18 years old by May 1; submit materials informed by Jewish themes or identity; and be based in the New York tri-state area. Finalists may be required to audition at the Museum for the judging committee.
Submit a maximum of two (2), five to ten minute samples in DVD, or CD format – cued to play or including a cue time – that best represents the work that would be performed if selected. Do not submit originals; materials will not be returned. Samples must be labeled individually with the applicant’s name, address, phone number, e-mail address, and title. Include a brief description of the work. If possible, also enclose artist bios and/or photos. Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Submissions must be post-marked or received no later than 5 p.m. on April 13.
Up to four winners will be notified by phone by May 13 and will receive $250 for the performance.