By Eileen Wingard
LA JOLLA, California — The opening program of the eighth season of Jewish Poets- Jewish Voices will be held on Tuesday evening, Jan. 19, at 7 p.m., in the Teen Lounge at the Lawrence Family JCC. Three poets will be showcased, Nancy Sandweiss, Simon Menkes, and the late Tony Kunewalder.
Nancy Sandweiss’s collection of poems “Love Remains,” was featured as one of the books by local authors at the recent San Diego Jewish Book Fair. A native of Detroit, Michigan, Nancy graduated from the University of Michigan, majoring in English and English Literature. She later earned a master of social work degree from SDSU and worked as a medical social worker at Alvarado Hospital. A poetry class at OASIS motivated her writing. She is a member of the Blue Stockings Poetry Group.
Simon Menkes, a new resident of North County, is a graduate of Princeton University. He works as an accountant and company controller. His poetry deals with a diversity of subjects. He has written two unpublished novels and his articles have appeared in the Los Angeles Times. His varied areas of expertise are reflected in his being named by the Los Angeles Times as one of the city’s top home chefs and in his winning an Inland Empire acting award for a community theatre production.
Tony Kunewalder was born in San Francisco. At an early age, he was composing songs, poems, stories and screen plays. After graduating from the University of Colorado, he led a rock band, directed music videos and sold an original screen play to Oliver Stone. His poetry was collected into the book-length POETRYTIME. He was on the verge of making his first feature film when, at age 33, he met an untimely death in a house fire. Tony’s mother, Monique Kunewalder, is a gifted pianist and linguist who lives in Solana Beach. Tony’s poetry will be read by Michael Horvitz, a member of the planning committee for Jewish Poets- Jewish Voices.
Following the hour of featured poets, there will be a half hour of open microphone.
Joy Heitzmann will moderate the program. A reception with light refreshments will conclude the evening.
Additional dates for the eighth season of Jewish Poets – Jewish Voices are Feb. 23, Jewish Poets of the Past: Zalman Schneour and Leah Goldberg; March 22, three local poets; May 10, students from the Jewish day schools. Jewish Poets – Jewish Voices is open to the community at no charge.
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Wingard is a freelance writer who specializes in coverage of the arts and literature.