UF Libraries to host additional Jewish literature reading and discussion series

April 25, 2008

The University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries is pleased to announce the return of the Let’s Talk About It: Jewish Literature – Identity and Imagination series. These series explore Jewish literature and culture through scholar-led discussions of contemporary and classic books on a common theme. The library has received funding to sponsor two sessions in the 2008-09 school year. The fall series will investigate Demons, Golems, and Dybbuks Monsters of the Jewish Imagination and the spring series will take a look at Modern Marvels: Jewish Adventures in the Graphic Novel. The library is one of 86 academic and public libraries nationwide receiving grants to host the series developed and supported by Nextbook and the American Library Association. Local support for the program is provided by the George A. Smathers Libraries, the Alachua County Public Library, the University of Florida Center for Jewish Studies and Hillel at UF.

“We are really happy to bring this popular program back to Gainesville and we are fortunate to once again have Dr. Andrew Gordon of the UF English Department as our discussion leader. We hope this series of programs will bring together a wide range of students and members of the Gainesville community to discuss themes in Jewish literature,” said Chelsea Dinsmore, program director and UF international documents librarian.

Titles in the Demons, Golems, and Dybbuks: Monsters of the Jewish Imagination series will include “Satan in Goray,” “The Dybbuk and Other Writings,” “The Metamorphosis,” “The Puttermesser Papers” and “Angels in America.” The spring series will include the following graphic novels: “A Contract with God,” “The Complete Maus: A Survivor’s Tale,” “Julius Knipl, Real Estate Photographer,” “The Quitter” and “The Rabbi’s Cat.”

Gordon will lead discussion of the books at each meeting. He has been a member of UF’s faculty since 1975, teaching American Fiction since 1945, Jewish-American Fiction and Science Fiction Literature and Film. He has also been a Fulbright Lecturer in Spain (1973–75), Portugal (1979) and Yugoslavia (1984–85).

The first program will cover Isaac Bashevis Singer’s “Satan in Goray” and will be held August 31 at 3 p.m. All programs will be held from 3-4:30 p.m. in Room 1A in Smather’s Library (East). Refreshments are provided and all programs are free and open to the public. For additional information or to register please see http://www.uflib.ufl.edu or contact Chelsea Dinsmore, chedins@uflib.ufl.edu or 352-273-0369.

Further information about the University of Florida Libraries can be found at http://www.uflib.ufl.edu. For more information about Nextbook programs see http://www.nextbook.com.