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From the cover of "To Be a Man" by Nicole Krauss.

Off the Shelf

Short stories deserve our attention — especially these

Books coverage is supported by a generous grant from The Milton and Sophie Meyer Fund. While the short story is a classic literary form, it can also feel…
By Howard Freedman Dec 21, 2020
San Francisco State University professor Marc Dollinger (left) and Jews of Color Initiative founder Ilana Kaufman at discuss Dollinger's book at Temple Sinai in Oakland, Oct. 2018. (Photo/Sue Fishkoff)

Bay Area

SF State historian splits with publisher over Jews and 'white supremacy'

Marc Dollinger’s book, “Black Power, Jewish Politics,” sold more than expected in this year of racial reckoning, and by September, there were only 150…
By Ari Feldman, Forward Dec 21, 2020
A completed page in “The Kabbalah Coloring Book: A Book of Creation.”

Art

No time to study Kabbalah? Try the coloring book

The complex teachings of Kabbalah can take years to learn, much less master. Why not start by coloring them in? Tzfat-based artist David Friedman has…
By Alix Wall, Forward Dec 17, 2020
a black and white picture of a man and a woman sitting on a bench. she is holding flowers which have been artificially colored bright purple

Books

A harrowing tale of survival wrapped around a love story 

Fela Kuvent, born in 1919 in the Polish town of Gostynin, was a smart, vivacious, dark-eyed girl who loved to sing, dance and enjoy life in her Jewish…
By Laura Paull Dec 15, 2020
From the cover of "The Berenstain Bears: God Bless Our Country"

Parenting

Since when are the Berenstain Bears evangelical Christians?

At our local library, they have stowed away all the toys in the children’s section and ended in-person story time. But they still let you in for half an…
By Drew Himmelstein Dec 7, 2020
Susan Katz is an author and founder of ConnectingAuthors. (Photo/Courtesy Katz)

Talking With ...

Q&A: A writer who helps kids calm racing minds

Whether giving presentations to students or workshops for teachers, Susan Katz, 49, strives to convey the transformational power and joy of reading. The…
By Liz Harris Dec 7, 2020
a green background with small sketches of trees all over -- and in a clearing, the title in yellow type.

Off the Shelf

‘The Lost Shtetl’ and ‘The Orchard’: 2 new novels of Jewish culture shock

Books coverage is supported by a generous grant from The Milton and Sophie Meyer Fund. For those attuned to the Torah reading cycle, one of the striking…
By Howard Freedman Nov 20, 2020
Poet Jake Marmer (right) recites his poetry at LABA's DRUNK event at the JCC East Bay in Berkeley, Nov. 23, 2019, accompanied by guitarist John Schott. (Pete Rosos)

Culture

East Bay Jewish arts lab seeks 2021 fellows — pandemic or not

LABA East Bay, an incubator and study program for Jewish artists run by the JCC East Bay, is in search of its second cohort of Bay Area artists. LABA…
By Laura Paull Nov 11, 2020
From the cover of "The Assignment" by Liza Weimer.

Books

In new book, teacher makes his students debate Hitler's final solution

This article originally appeared in Kveller. On Jan. 20, 1942, 15 high-ranking officials from the Nazi party and the German government got together in a…
By Lior Zaltzman, JTA Oct 30, 2020
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