Jewish Book World
EDITOR’S NOTE e have a winner. In fact we have many winners—the actual winner, the finalists, and the reading public. For with this, the inaugural Sami Rohr Prize for Jewish Literature, which recognizes and honors the impressive new wave of Jewish literary creativity—a phenomenon not seen since the days of Philip Roth, Saul Bellow, and Bernard Malamud—we go public. The Sami Rohr Prize for Jewish Literature was two years in the making. Until it was unveiled, in simultaneous announcements in newspapers in Switzerland, Germany, France, Israel, and the US, we at the Jewish Book Council referred to it as the Sod (Hebrew for secret) Award. For it was a surprise 80th birthday present for Sami Rohr, a gift from his children and grandchildren, and we were under strict instructions not to breathe a word about it to anyone, not even our spouses or significant others, until it was unveiled. It worked: On the morning of his 80th birthday, April 4, 2006, Mr. Rohr opened the pages of the Miami Herald, as he does every day, and first saw the announcement of the prize. Hundreds of books were examined by the advisory committee, dozens read by the judges. The process opened everyone’s eyes to the exciting reality that there is a significant resurgence of brilliance and creative energy in the realm of Jewish literature. In this, the inaugural year of the prize, the focus has been on Jewish themed fiction; fiction will alternate with nonfiction each year. There is a distinguished precedent for honoring literary achievement in the Rohr family. Several years ago Mr. Rohr sponsored a monumental project of recorded Yiddish books in honor of his mother’s love of Yiddish literature. This CD set is available with a generous grant to qualifying institutions (see “Special Projects” on our website, jewishbookcouncil.org). By creating this award for emerging Jewish writers, now his children and grandchildren are
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honoring their father and grandfather’s lifelong love of Jewish literature. It has been beyond exciting—exhilarating—to witness and participate in a small way in the creation of the Sami Rohr Literary Prize. But the real credit goes to George Rohr, Sami Rohr’s son, who conceived of the project, and to Geri Gindea, director of the Prize, who ran with the idea and created its structure out of whole cloth. The Rohr family, which has a distinguished record of philanthropy in furthering many areas of Jewish life, including Chabad and many Jewish causes in the former Soviet Union, has chosen now to focus on Jewish continuity as expressed in Jewish themed literature. By creating not only this award but the Rohr Institute—a “think tank” that will meet biennially and enable writers— winners, finalists, judges—to convene and commune. Of this year’s finalists—two are British, two are Israeli, only one is American—none had ever met before. Frankly, no one anticipated the international character of the winners’ circle. Upon meeting, every one of the authors expressed the feeling that they were thrilled to meet. In fact, they bonded immediately, getting together on their own time when not on “official” time, and eager to read each other’s books. This bodes well for the future of the prize and the Institute. As one might expect with a 21st century literary prize, word has traveled fast— bloggers, online publications and online versions of print publications have picked up on the news and it has spread like wild fire. Google “Rohr Prize” and see for yourself. It’s even on Costco’s website! Also see the other expressions of creativity in this issue, such as the visual arts spread on page 24—Jewish creativity is not limited to words; the Authors Write In section, about their sources of inspiration; also see Book Group Forum section, about a reading group-in-formation of recent college graduates. Read on.
Jewish Book World is published four times a year by the Jewish Book Council, 520 8th Avenue, 4th floor, New York, NY 10018, (212) 201-2920; www.jewishbookcouncil.org; email: jbc@ jewishbooks.org. The Council is a not-forprofit organization founded in 1943 to promote the publishing, writing, and reading of quality books of Jewish interest. In sponsoring Jewish Book World the Jewish Book Council aims to meet the need for a journal devoted to providing thoughtful reviews of new Jewish books. It is our hope that Jewish Book World will be a valued resource in navigating today’s exciting Jewish literary scene. The Council is also the sponsor of Jewish Book Month, the National Jewish Book Awards, the Jewish Book NETWORK and other programs and activities. Subscriptions to Jewish Book World are available from the Council at $36.00 annually. An advertising rate schedule is also available on request. Carol E. Kaufman Lisa Silverman Sean Kennedy Naomi Firestone
Editor-in-Chief Children’s Book Editor Art Director Managing Editor
Staff
Lawrence J. Krule Harry I. Freund Judith Lieberman Mimi S. Frank Alan J. Wiener Henry Everett (z”l)
President Vice-President Vice-President Secretary Treasurer Honorary Chairman of the Board Carolyn Starman Hessel Director Geri Gindea Director, Sami Rohr Prize Miri R. Pomerantz Program Director
Jewish Book Council
Steven D. Burton Edith Everett Paul A. Flexner Ellen Frankel Sharon Friedman Samuel G. Freedman Stephen H. Garrin Matthew F. Golub Ari L. Goldman Shelley Goldseker Blu Greenberg Rae Gurewitsch Miriam Holmes Altie Karper
Francine Klagsbrun Warren Kozak Myra Kraft Carmel R. Krauss Ruth Legow Dan Levine Stuart Matlins Marcia W. Posner Julie Potiker Steven Siegel Livia S. Straus Joseph Telushkin Bernard Weinflash Jane Weitzman
Board of Directors
Stephen H. Garrin Altie Karper Michael Monheit
Marcia W. Posner Nessa Rapaport Arlene Soifer Ted Solotaroff, ex officio
Editorial Board
For information about advertising in this publication, please contact Naomi Firestone at 212-201-2920 or naomi@jewishbooks.org.
Summer 5767/2007