Book Club

Etgar Keret has been hailed as the voice of young Israel. His short stories - surreal, blackly comic, sometimes violent and often poignant - embody Israeli life. In Jetlag, five of his stories are recreated in graphic novel form by members of Actus Tragicus, a group of Israeli graphic novelists at the forefront of the new Israeli cartooning scene.

Join Ariel Kahn to discuss the work of these new pioneers of Israeli literature, the Israeli youth culture they have tapped into, and what happens when the written word is translated into visual language. Prior knowledge of Keret’s work is recommended but not essential. Suggested reading: Etgar Keret, The Bus Driver Who Wanted to be God; Etgar Keret and Actus Tragicus, Jetlag.

Dreams & Illusions

Samir El-Youssef’s novel, The Illusion of Return, is a meditation on exile and Palestinian identity set between Lebanon in the 80s and London in the present day. Award-winning photographer Judah Passow’s new book Shattered Dreams: Israel and the Palestinians is a visual journey through life caught up in conflict over the past 25 years. Samir and Judah will be in conversation with Gabrielle Rifkind about the dreams and illusions which underpin both sides of the Israel Palestine conflict.

In association with Jewish Book Week.