Jewish Literary Festival Writing Contest Announced

From the DC JCC, home to the Hyman S. & Freyda Bernstein Jewish Literary Festival (October 17-27, 2010):

Community Prize for Writing on a Festival Theme
Strangers in a Strange Land: The Lives of Jewish Immigrants

We surround ourselves with communities that sustain and enrich our lives. When we leave those communities—by choice, by force, or both—our lives are upended. What do we choose to take with us to the new environment, and what do we leave behind? This year’s Opening Night explores these questions of immigration and home.

Jews have often found themselves strangers in strange lands, but new environments are not always the result of physical displacement. Tell us a true story—from your life or a family member’s—of finding oneself alone in a new place or situation.

Submissions are open to all and will be judged blindly. Work will be considered in two categories: 1) 18 years and under, and 2) over 18. Please include your contact information and age category on the first page only. Send submissions of 500 words or fewer to litfest(at)washingtondcjcc(dot)org by September 27, 2010.

A selection committee will choose three entries in each category to honor during the Festival and online. These winning entries will be published on the 16th Street J’s website and The Blog at 16th & Q. The first place selection in each category will win the Community Prize for Writing and a $100 Visa gift card.

Note: No previously-published work, please.

Super Splendid Terrific Conference News

Last Friday, the Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP), announced its "tentative list of accepted panels for the AWP 2011 Conference & Bookfair in Washington, D.C.at" The final list will be available in October (the conference is slated for early February 2011).

I was thrilled to learn that the following panel is among the accepted events:

Beyond Bagels and Lox: Jewish-American Fiction in the 21st Century
Erika Dreifus, Andrew Furman, Kevin Haworth, Margot Singer, Anna Solomon
Jewish-American fiction has long been seen as a literature of emigration from the shtetl, assimilationist angst, and overprotective parents. But what's nu? How do Americans born decades after the Holocaust and the birth of the State of Israel deal with those complex subjects in fiction? Who are the new Jewish immigrant characters? How does American Jewry's more than 350-year history inspire plot/setting? And how are writers today influenced by Judaism's rich multilingual and spiritual legacy?

At least two other events on the list seem linked to issues of Jewish writing: "Two Jews, a Catholic, a Buddhist, a Mennonite Sufi Shaman, and a ________ walk into an AWP Panel: Geography’s Influence on Writers Writing Religion and Culture," featuring Eric Wasserman, Ira Sukrungruang, Heather Derr-Smith, Bich Minh Nguyen, Erika Meitner, and Mary Biddinger; and "Jewish Guilt," with Janice Eidus, Carol V. Davis, Marjorie Agosin, Ruth Knafo Setton, and Elaine Terranova.

It's wonderful to see Jewish writing acknowledged and celebrated in the conference program. Now, to prepare some excellent presentations! Stay tuned--I'll be asking for reader input!

Notes from Around the Web/Twitter

Benjamin Ivry's account of the disinvitation of Israeli writer and translator Esther Orner from an academic conference in France motivated me to respond: I immediately ordered two of Orner's books from Amazon.fr.
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Also from Monsieur Ivry: an intriguing description of a new play, "an imaginary conversation between [Georges] Mandel and [Léon] Blum when, during Germany’s occupation of France, both were imprisoned at Buchenwald." What can I say--this appeals to the historian-of-twentieth-century-France in me.
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Barbara Krasner provides a report on the first annual New York Sephardic Book Fair.
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Some new Jewish poetry has been posted over on the New Vilna Review's website. See especially Matthew Hartmann's "Warsaw is Burning."
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If you're between the ages of 22 and 35 you are eligible for an incredible opportunity: a "Writers' Seminar on the Jewish People," led by Samuel Freedman. (I'll 'fess up and admit that I tried [unsuccessfully] to gain admission the last time this seminar was offered...although I was already beyond 35!) There's no application fee, and you have until September 5 to apply. (Thanks to our friends at the Jewish Book Council for the news about this year's seminar.)
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Moment magazine is looking for an Assistant Editor. Details here.
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Oh, have you heard that Gary Shteyngart has a new novel out? I laughed a little when I saw this tidbit on Twitter: "SUPER SAD Moving Up List: Another day, another review, or two, for Gary Shteyngart’s satiric Super Sad True Love S... http://bit.ly/b3YhON" (source: earlyword). The publicity for this book has been incredible! I have to admit I am getting curiouser and curiouser...and the book is on my tbr list.

Shabbat shalom!

Notes from Around the Web

The always-sagacious Josh Lambert rounds up a group of "beach reads" for Tablet.
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The New York Times follows up on the brouhaha surrounding a new play, Imagining Madoff.
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Benjamin Ivry writes about Frédéric Chouraki's new novel, La Guerre de Kippour (the subject matter isn't quite what you may guess from the title).
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The Poetry Foundation takes note of a collection of Yiddish poetry (translated by Dr. Sarah Traister Moskovitz) originally written by Jews who were trapped in the Warsaw ghetto.
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Sarah Seltzer reflects on being the only Jew in her MFA program's incoming cohort. Brought back quite a few memories of my own similar experience. (via @JewishMuse)
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Paid internship opportunities at Tablet magazine.
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And still more from Tablet: Rachel Shukert (whose work I've mentioned here in the past) has a new book out, and Tablet is co-hosting a celebration next Tuesday.

Shabbat shalom!

Bay Area Screenings of "Grace Paley: Collected Shorts"

Bay Area fans of author/activist Grace Paley have at least two opportunities to see Lily Rivlin's documentary, Grace Paley: Collected Shorts.

From the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival description:

Lily Rivlin's (Gimme a Kiss, SFJFF 2002) intimate documentary is a rich, inspiring portrait of Jewish writer and activist Grace Paley, who passed away in 2007. Paley's acclaimed first short story collection, The Little Disturbances of Man, established her reputation with its brilliantly sad and funny chronicles of Jewish American urban females much like herself. Paley's New York tales, filled with an emotional and sexual frankness especially bold at the tail end of the frightened 1950s, soon became classics of the short fiction form. Not content to rest on her laurels, however, Paley combined her evolving literary career with passionate pursuit of her political concerns through the 1960s, 70s and 80s. "Art is too long and life is too short,"wrote the outspoken Paley, "There's a lot more to do in life than writing." Indeed, she spent the rest of her life on the front lines of the anti-war and women's movements, where she endured being arrested time and again. Rivlin's film confidently juggles all aspects of Paley's extraordinary story, told in candid recollections and passionate readings by Paley herself, along with fond remembrances by literary critics, family and writer-friends Allan Gurganus and Alice Walker. Throughout, Grace Paley: Collected Shorts casts an important and penetrating light on a brilliant and highly principled woman who constantly reinvented both her life and art.

You can catch the film on July 25th at The Castro Theatre in San Francisco, or on August 1st at The Roda Theatre in Berkeley.

Coming Soon: First Annual New York Sephardic Jewish Book Fair

First Annual New York Sephardic Jewish Book Fair
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Noon-5 p.m.
Center for Jewish History

The book fair, hosted by the American Sephardi Federation, will bring together authors and book lovers that write about and enjoy books relating to the culture, history, philosophy, religion, languages and experiences of the Sephardic Jews, past and present. Hundreds of titles of Sephardic-oriented books, including many rare titles, will be available for sale by the Sephardic House bookstore, as well as by unique vendors that specialize in Sephardic Judaica.

Several visiting authors will discuss a wide range of topics including personal histories, Sephardic history, philosophy, culture and religion. The day's key author and speaker will be Dr. Marc D. Angel, founder of The Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals and Rabbi Emeritus of Congregation Shearith Israel, North America's oldest Jewish congregation.

Admission: Free

(Thanks to Barbara Krasner for letting me know about this event!)

From and For Our British Friends: David Grossman in London

From Jewish Book Week:

Join us for a very special event this Autumn. Leading Israeli writer, David Grossman will be here for the launch of his latest novel, To the End of the Land, described by Paul Auster as 'wrenching, beautiful, [and] unforgettable'.

Date: Thursday September 2nd,
Time: 7PM
Venue: Friends House
173-177 Euston Road
London, NW1 2BJ

Tickets:£15 (students £10).
To book your tickets email geraldine(at)jewishbookweek(dot)com with the number of tickets requested.

Writing Jewish-themed Children's Books: A Conference Dispatch by Barbara Krasner

Writing Jewish-themed Children's Books: A Conference Dispatch
Guest Post by Barbara Krasner

For about two years, Kent Brown, head of the Highlights Foundation, and I had been discussing the possibility of bringing a workshop for writers of Jewish-themed books to the line-up of the Highlights Foundation workshops. We finally scheduled it for May 23-25, 2010.

Intended for ten participants only (okay, we let an extra person in for a total of 11), this three-day conference in an intimate workshop setting featured:

• Lisa Silverman, children’s book review editor of Jewish Book World and director of the Sinai Temple Blumenthal Library in Los Angeles
• Peninnah Schram, master storyteller and professor at Yeshiva University’s Stern College
• Jane Yolen, award-winning author of some 300 books
• Devorah Leah Rosenfeld, editor, Hachai Publishing
• Françoise Bui, executive editor, Delacorte (Random House)
• Rubin Pfeffer, agent, East/West Literary
• Mary Kole, agent, Andrea Brown Literary Agency
• Carolyn Yoder, editor, Calkins Creek Books
• Debra Hess, senior editor, Highlights for Children

Eleven participants gathered at the Poconos home of Highlights founders in Boyds Mills, PA. Among the participants, we had two author-illustrators and several accomplished authors.

After brief introductions, Lisa Silverman started us off with a comprehensive overview of Jewish children’s literature, starting with the 1930s Adventures of K’ton ton and moving through each decade to today’s contemporary YA. She then described the book review process at Jewish Book World and the author support services the Jewish Book Council offers.

Peninnah Schram talked about getting oral tradition down on paper. She told us a few stories and we could see why she’s a master storyteller. Several of us teared up at her stories, she told them so vividly.

After dinner, Lisa led us in a book discussion of three picture books and a chapter book.

Day Two began with an editors/agents panel, each one stating what he or she looks for. These talks will be available soon on my blog, The Whole Megillah, in video format. Each workshop participant had a scheduled time to meet with an editor or agent to discuss her work in depth. By late afternoon, we gathered as a group once more to hear about writing Jewish fiction from Jane Yolen.

Jane was joined by Highlights senior editor Debra Hess in providing critiques in an after-dinner group critique session. For many of the participants, this was the workshop’s proverbial icing on the cake.

On our final day, Boyds Mills art director Tim Gilner joined us for breakfast and met with our author-illustrators. We then devoted our remaining time together to a discussion of each individual’s challenges and goals for the next 12 months. After lunch, several participants took the tour of Highlights and Boyds Mills Press and spoke with some of the editors.

Whew. Will this become an annual event? If this year’s participants have anything to say about it, the answer is yes.

So, for those of you who write Jewish-themed children’s books, stay tuned. Also be sure to be on the lookout for more information about the one-day conference in New York City, now sponsored by the Jewish Book Council and scheduled for Sunday, November 21 at the Center for Jewish History. We’ve got a great agenda lined up for you!

Resources:

• Jewish Book World
• Jewish Book Council
• HighlightsFoundation workshops

Bio: Barbara Krasner is an award-winning author and speaker based in New Jersey. She blogs at The Whole Megillah The Writer’s Resource for Jewish-themed Children’s Books and has an MFA in Writing for Children & Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts.

Journal Editor to Speak at Museum of Jewish Heritage

Received from NYC's Museum of Jewish Heritage:

On Wednesday, July 14 at 7 p.m., as part of the popular Terrace Talks series, editor Joshua Ellison will discuss his groundbreaking, Habitus: A Diaspora Journal, which Library Journal praises for its “exemplary creative and journalistic work.” Habitus is an international journal of Diaspora literature and global Jewish culture that was first published in 2005. The conversation between Ellison and author André Aciman (Eight White Nights, 2010) will focus on whether New York City —especially Manhattan —is the new Jerusalem, or if the very question is sacrilegious. This fascinating conversation will take place at the Museum of Jewish Heritage—A Living Memorial to the Holocaust.

Each issue of Habitus focuses on a different city, penetrating deep into the emotional and political substance of the urban environment. Cities that have been featured in the magazine include New Orleans, Moscow, and Buenos Aires. As Ellison wrote in the introduction to the first issue: “Habitus is not just about cataloguing distinctions. It’s a way of using the whole world as raw material for creating a more complete picture of ourselves.”

Tickets are $5 and free for members. Tickets are available online at www.mjhnyc.org or by calling the Museum box office at 646.437.4202.

Terrace Talks feature authors presented in one of the Museum’s beautiful spaces with stunning views of New York Harbor and the Statue of Liberty.

Jewish Book Council Twitter Book Club Convenes TODAY

Today's the day! If you're free at 12:30 p.m. (U.S. Eastern), join the fine folks from the Jewish Book Council as they host author Jennifer Gilmore for the latest "Twitter Twunch and Talk" book club. Up for discussion: Gilmore's new novel, Something Red. You'll find all the details here. (And unless there's some last-minute crisis going on at work, I'll be joining in from my desk, too.)

Call for Papers on "The Loudest Voice: Jewish American Women's Literature"

(received via e-mail)

Call for Papers

The Loudest Voice: Jewish American Women's Literature

42nd Annual Convention, Northeast Modern Language Association (NeMLA)
April 7-10, 2011
New Brunswick, NY – Hyatt New Brunswick
Host Institution: Rutgers University

Is there a common, traceable voice in the writing of Jewish American women writers? This panel seeks papers that explore Jewish American women’s writing from the early 20th century to now and may include poets, fiction and non-fiction authors, and comic writers/artists. Papers can address individual authors, comparisons of works by several women, or comparisons across generations. What does this writing tell us about how Jewish identity has been conceived over the past century? Send 250-500 word abstracts to Tahneer Oksman, toksman(at)hotmail(dot)com.

Deadline: September 30, 2010

Please include with your abstract:

Name and Affiliation
Email address
Postal address
Telephone number
A/V requirements (if any; $10 handling fee with registration)

The 42nd Annual Convention will feature approximately 360 sessions, as well as dynamic speakers and cultural events. Details and the complete Call for Papers for the 2011 Convention will be posted in June: www.nemla.org.

Interested participants may submit abstracts to more than one NeMLA session; however panelists can only present one paper (panel or seminar). Convention participants may present a paper at a panel and also present at a creative session or participate in a roundtable. Do not accept a slot if you may cancel to present on another session.

An Evening at "Collected Stories"

Last week I had the good fortune of making a visit to Broadway, where I saw a revival of "Collected Stories," a play by Donald Margulies.

As The Jewish Week noted a couple of days after I saw the show:

"In the play, an older Jewish writer named Ruth Stein, expertly played by Lavin, becomes a mentor and maternal figure for a non-Jewish student of hers named Lisa Peterson. The mood of the play is set from the beginning, with Santo Loquasto’s impressive set of book-lined walls, window seats, rugs and lamps. Upon her first visit, Lisa is impressed by the 'real furniture and real books' in Ruth’s elegant Greenwich Village apartment, which Lisa contrasts to her own 'makeshift' apartment, which she laments is 'sad, completely lacking in dignity.'"

I tried to snap a photo of the set before the show began. The photo doesn't do justice to the set, which is indeed impressive.If you have the ability to catch the show before its June 13th closing, I highly recommend it!

Lit Event Next Week in Brooklyn

To be held Wednesday, May 19, 2010, 7 p.m., at Greenlight Bookstore.

"As part of the Beatrice.com author/blogger pairings hosted by the Greenlight Bookstore, please join us as Jacob Paul speaks about his debut novel, Sarah/Sara with Sara Ivry of Tablet Magazine.

An engrossing meditation on the meaning of faith, Sarah/Sara is the story of a young Orthodox Jewish woman who undertakes a solo kayaking journey across the Arctic Ocean after her parents are killed and she is disfigured by a terrorist bomb in a Jerusalem café. Haunted by her parents' death, and in particular by memories of her father, a 9/11 survivor whose dream was to kayak through the Arctic, Sarah embarks on her expedition unprepared for the strenuous physical and emotional trial that lies ahead. What begins as a series of diary entries on her struggle with faith ends in a fight for survival, as Sarah slowly comes to realize that she is lost in the Arctic wilderness with the ice closing in around her.

Jacob Paul teaches at the University of Utah, where he earned a PhD in Literature and Creative Writing. A 9/11 World Trade Center survivor, he won the 2008 Utah Writers' Contest, and the 2007 Richard Scowcroft Prize."

As Seen on Twitter

Twitter is a great place to get find literary news and links, especially of the Jewish variety:

@sarahw Toby Press looks to be in some serious trouble. Damn. http://is.gd/bYxU7 (via @MAOrthofer)

@nytimesbooks Jerusalem Journal: Israelis and Palestinians Hail Writers and the Word, Just Not With One Another http://nyti.ms/c7u0uS

@PublishersWkly A new PW feature: Reviews Pick of the Day. We're starting with Gary Shteyngart's upcoming SUPER SAD TRUE LOVE STORY. http://bit.ly/cYIGWY

I may have to rethink the "Notes from Around the Web" label, and/or start a regular column featuring Twitter finds. What do you think?

Oh, and you can find and follow me on Twitter, too!

Notes from Around the Web

"Germau Mangistu (35), who immigrated to Israel from Ethiopia 16 years ago, is a new star that has surfaced in the world of Hebrew short stories. Several weeks ago, he submitted a story to the annual Haaretz Hebrew short story contest and won first place. The award came as a surprise to Germau." Read more here.
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Attention, Twin Cities writers: "We're looking for film/book/theater/music writers for @TCJewfolk's new Jewish culture column. Unpaid but awesome. Hit us up." (via a retweet from @JewishPub)
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Dispatches from the International Writers Festival, Mishkenot Sha'ananim, Jerusalem.
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Nice article on PJ Library's positive impact on Jewish children's book publishing.
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Lots of super content in the current (35th anniversary) issue of Moment, and some of it is available/excerpted online: a symposium on Jewish identity (featuring the likes of authors Geraldine Brooks, Rebecca Newberger Goldstein, Gary Shteyngart, and others); a "guide" to Jewish American literary sites; and an interview with Lois Lowry.

Shabbat Shalom!

Jewish Reading Series (Additional Info Welcome!)

Thanks to the Jewish Book Council, I've learned of two new Jewishly-focused series right here in NYC.

First, we have the Brooklyn-based Candlestick Readings and Book Club, with an inaugural event--a reading featuring Melissa Broder, Joshua Cohen, Jason Diamond, Fiona Maazel and musician Reuben Chess--on Tuesday, May 11. Then--making its debut on Tuesday, May 18, with a lineup of Rachel Shukert, Sam Apple, and Jami Attenberg--is Jewcy's Yiderati series.

I'd love to know about similar series in other locations. Care to share?

Notes from Around the Web

In case you couldn't make it to the latest Jewish Book Club Twitter "Twunch and Talk" (featuring Dara Horn responding to questions on All Other Nights), you can read the Twitter transcript (twanscript?) here. NB: The next JBC Twitter Twunch and Talk is scheduled for Wednesday, June 2, and will feature Jennifer Gilmore's new novel, Something Red.
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From David Kaufmann, writing for Tablet: "Ilya Kaminsky and Matvei Yankelevich are not the only Russian-born Jewish poets in the United States these days, but they might be the best known."
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I'm always glad to see Anzia Yezierska's Bread Givers receive more attention, but you'll forgive me if I'm not so quick to dispense with the feminist interpretations.
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Debates over Irene Némirovsky's attitudes toward her fellow Jews continue.
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Helpful insights on Israeli literature in Eric Herschthal's Jewish Week profile of author Alex Epstein.
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Mazel tov to the winners of the 22nd Annual Helen and Stan Vine Canadian Jewish Book Awards.

Coming Soon: The Jerusalem Season of Culture

Exciting announcement via eJewish Philanthropy:

"An annual new summer season of culture will take place in Jerusalem beginning in 2011. This new season will focus on supporting arts and culture with a cutting edge, contemporary feel by integrating existing art, introducing new programs and facilitating collaborations among local and international artists, arts organizations and venues across the city, while helping to establish the city as a global center of creativity.

Itay Mautner, the season's artistic director, said, 'Jerusalem's social, ethnic and religious diversity has fueled the imagination of generations of artists. We are here to encourage this voice to thrive and flourish and to make the arts and culture accessible to all in Jerusalem.'

Naomi Bloch Fortis, the season's senior strategic advisor, added, 'Today Jerusalem is home to a vibrant arts scene, with over 100 cultural institutions, each expressing a different voice and unique essence. We look forward to our work with all of the artists and arts organizations here to create an inspired and stimulating season.'

The Schusterman Foundation-Israel initiated this season with assistance from a growing list of supporters including the municipality of Jerusalem and the Russell Berrie Foundation.

To stay up to date, check out The Jerusalem Season of Culture website."

Hopefully, literary art and artists will be included!

Chicago Event on Israeli Fiction: Tues., April 27

"Two of Israeli literature’s luminaries – Dalya Bilu and Eshkol Nevo – will be in Chicago to discuss the explosion in Israeli fiction writing later this month. Their conversation, free and open to the public, is set for 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 27, at the Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St., Chicago. The program is sponsored by the Petach Tikvah Sister City Committee." Click here for details.

Notes from Around the Web

As Israel once again marked Yom Hazikaron and Yom Haatzmaut this week, Ethan Bronner described a "dark" mood in the country.
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Welcome to the Jewish-American canon, Walter Mosley.
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The Jewish Journal summarizes "the Jewish side" of this weekend's Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. And Jonathan Kirsch spotlights one participating author: Herman Wouk, who, at the age of 94, has a new book to talk about.
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For a roundup of the Israeli presence at the upcoming PEN World Voices Festival in New York, check Naomi Firestone's informative post.
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Writers, this online auction to benefit Lilith magazine has some special offerings for you!
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In the Jewish Exponent, Robert Leiter reviews and recommends a new book from one of my favorite publishers (Toby Press): Haim Sabato's From the Four Winds (translated by Yaacob Dweck).
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Finally, here are some more books to add to your TBR list, courtesy of Josh Lambert's latest Tablet column.