December 30, 2005

San Jose Public Library to host ‘Let’s Talk About
It: Jewish Literature’ discussion series

San Jose Public Library will host a free five-part reading and discussion series called “Let’s Talk About It: Jewish Literature—Identity and Imagination.”

The series explores Jewish literature and culture through scholar-led discussions of contemporary and classic books on a common theme. The library’s series will explore the theme Between Two Worlds: Stories of Estrangement and Homecoming, applicable to all people displaced from their land of origin for many reasons, including war, natural disaster or personal choice.

The first program will explore “Lost in Translation” by Eva Hoffman on Sunday, Jan. 29 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. All programs will be held in Rooms 225/229 on the second floor of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Joint Library located at 150 E. San Fernando St. at South Fourth Street in downtown San Jose. Parking is free on Sundays at the nearby Fourth Street Garage.

“We are delighted to have been chosen to host this unique series that will give patrons an opportunity to discuss themes in Jewish literature with fellow community members and with the help of a well-qualified scholar,” said Ruth Kohan, Project Director. “The theme we have selected transcends ethnic and religious boundaries to explore our common search for a sense of belonging.”

Additional books will be discussed once per month at the library. These books are “Out of Egypt” by André Aciman (Feb. 26), “The Centaur in the Garden” by Moacir Scliar (March 19), “Mr. Sammler’s Planet” by Saul Bellow (April 23), and “Kaaterskill Falls” by Allegra Goodman (May 21).

David Mesher, who received his doctorate degree in English from the University of Washington, will serve as program scholar and open discussion of the book at each session. Dr. Mesher is coordinator of Jewish Studies and a professor in the English Department at San Jose State University, where he teaches world and comparative literature, including Holocaust literature. He has published widely on Jewish writers, including Saul Bellow, and is currently co-editing two volumes on modern Hebrew writers for the Dictionary of Literary Biography.

Pre-registration is recommended. For details or to register contact Ruth Kohan, Project Director, at 408-998-2022 or Ruth.Kohan@sjlibrary.org. The library is one of 200 libraries nationwide receiving grants to host the series developed by Nextbook and the American Library Association. Go to http://www.nextbook.org/ala/librl_between.html for additional information. 

To learn about other programs, activities and hours at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library or in your neighborhood, visit the library’s events and programs pages at www.SJLibrary.org.