By Eileen Wingard
LA JOLLA, California — Three outstanding poets will be featured in the opening Jewish Poets—Jewish Voices program of the 2023-24 season, Tuesday, November 28, at 7:30 p.m. in the Astor Judaica Library of the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center.
Register here: Reserve Tickets Here (no charge)
Maya Tevet Dayan is a visiting Professor of Poetry at San Diego State University for the current semester under the Murray Galinson San Diego-Israel Initiative. Felicia Morgenstern and Larry Gach are both San Diego County residents.
Maya Tevet Dayan, born and raised in Israel, was the 2018 recipient of the prestigious Israeli Prime Minister Award for literature. Her poetry has been translated into multiple languages. She is a columnist for the Israeli newspaper, Haaretz. Her latest book, Feminism, As I Told It To My Daughters (Israel, 2023), is a memoir based on her Haaretz columns. She will be introduced by Susan Lapidus, Director of the San Diego-Israel Initiative.
Felicia Morgenstern, A Maryland State Arts Council awardee, founded The Poetic Passports Project, which promotes self-expression and community through poetry. She was the first Writer–in-Residence for the Learning Bank. As editor of Standing Tall, she showcases works by students from The Learning Bank. Her poetry collection, The Night Mother Earth Told Father Sky She was Tired of the Missionary Position garnered high critical praise.
Larry Gach, Brooklyn-born poet and mechanical engineer, discovered his passion for poetry while a student at Cornell University. He taught poetry at Centenary College in New Jersey. He has published two books of poetry and conducts a poetry workshop for adults at the Jewish Collective in Carlsbad.
Following the first hour, during which the featured poets will present their original works, there will be a half hour of open mic, when audience members are invited to read their poems.
The evening will conclude with a reception, during which the audience members will be able to interact with the featured poets and their books may be available for sale.
This program is free to the public and sponsored by the Astor Judaica Library, the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture and the JCC Senior and Adult Department.
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Eileen Wingard is a freelance writer who specializes in coverage of the arts. She may be contacted via eileen.wingard@sdjewishworld.com