From Shield to Scapegoat: Jewish Literature's Past, Present and Future

Jewish writers are being blacklisted and review bombed as antisemitism runs rampant in the book world. 

Tune in as Hadassah Magazine Executive Editor Lisa Hostein moderates a panel of prestigious literary insiders discussing the challenges and opportunities facing Jewish authors amid the current climate of rising antisemitism. 

THE PANELISTS

Rachel Gordan is the Samuel "Bud" Shorstein Professor of American Jewish Culture and Society at the University of Florida and the author of Postwar Stories: How Books Made Judaism American. 

Talia Benamy is an editor and backlist manager at Philomel, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers and author of the forthcoming Twinkle, Twinkle, Hanukkah.

Lissette Méndez is Executive Director of the Miami Book Fair, one of the largest and most inclusive literary festivals in the US.

Further Resources

• Purchase a copy of Postwar Stories: How Books Made Judaism American and read a review in Hadassah Magazine.
• Preorder a copy of Twinkle, Twinkle, Hanukkah. 
• Find Israeli reads for you and your book club on Hadassah Magazine’s Bookshop.
• Preview Judaic topics at the 2025 Miami Book Fair and the Jewish authors who are presenting here and register to attend here.
• Read an interview with Jerusalem-based literary agent Deborah Harris in Hadassah Magazine

Watch the program recording ⁠⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠

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The show is hosted by Hadassah Magazine Executive Editor Lisa Hostein and produced by the editorial team at Hadassah Magazine with the support of the Engagement and Marketing divisions of Hadassah.  

Our podcast editors are Arielle Kaplan and Eli Hershko. 

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